Meet Nicole Barbano – Executive Coach, Founder, and Your Strategic Partner in Growth
Nicole Barbano is an accomplished executive coach with nearly two decades of experience in executive search, leadership development, and organizational strategy. As the founder and CEO of Hunter Ambrose International, she’s helped organizations across industries identify top talent, elevate their leadership teams, and navigate complex growth challenges.
In addition to her executive coaching and search work, Nicole has built and sold two successful online companies—one in the medical tourism sector and another as a niche job board. Her ability to scale and exit ventures informs the practical, results-driven approach she brings to every coaching engagement.
Nicole’s insight is shaped by a uniquely diverse life experience. Originally from California, she’s lived and worked everywhere from rural America (just outside Yosemite National Park) to major metro hubs like San Francisco and Chicago. She raised her three children in San Diego and now resides in Kansas City, Missouri with her husband, Justin Wade Sipe, Co-Principal at Hunter Ambrose.
Nicole works with founders, executives, and ambitious professionals who are navigating change, leading teams, and seeking clarity in their next move. Her coaching style is direct, strategic, and focused on measurable growth—with an unwavering commitment to helping her clients lead stronger and live better.
Listen to Your Future Self: The 4F Method.
1F - First.
Only by putting yourself first can you truly serve others. It’s not selfish—it’s necessary to be present, engaged, and honor the commitments that matter. We cannot fully care for others, or truly honor our obligations when we neglect our fitness, our health, or our money.
2F - Fitness. Prioritizing your health—physical, emotional, and spiritual—is the foundation for showing up fully in every area of life. Developing a routine, staying disciplined, and remaining curious about what it means to live well isn’t optional—it’s essential. The way you care for yourself shapes how you lead, live, and perform.
3F Finances. If you don’t know where your money is going, it’s hard to feel in control of anything else. A lack of financial clarity doesn’t just affect your bank account—it quietly seeps into your relationships, your work, and your energy.
Financial strain is like slow-drying concrete—it hardens around every area of your life if left unchecked. But when you have financial clarity, even in seasons of uncertainty, it’s like standing at a busy intersection and finally knowing which way to turn. You may not have every answer, but you’re no longer standing still.
4F - Family. Wisdom is when we reach the point in our lives where the legacy we leave behind isn’t defined by titles or things—it’s made up of the moments we created and the things we still have to look forward to with the people who matter most—whether it’s a colleague for a season or a friend or family member for a lifetime.
Being our best for those we love requires calm, intention, focus, and humor. It’s about being impeccable with our word, showing up with reliability, and honoring the trust others place in us.
When we lead ourselves with discipline, care, and accountability, everything around us benefits—our families thrive, our work sharpens, and our obligations become opportunities.
And while the 4Fs—First, Fitness, Finances, and Family—may not sound like the typical conversation in an executive coaching session, Nicole knows from experience that a serious, prosperous, and meaningful career only works when those four pillars are functioning in unison.
An executive coaching session with Nicole isn’t about fluff—it’s pragmatic, honest, inspiring, and yes, a little humorous. It’s a conversation about your career and your earning goals, but also your 4Fs.
Where are you right now? And where do you want to go?
Listen well. Learn boldly. Share what matters.
Many of the most effective people I know carve out time each day to read, listen, and learn with intention. Not for hustle—for clarity, growth, and momentum.
Meanwhile, the average U.S. adult spends over 7 hours a day online, much of it scrolling through content that does nothing to move them forward.
So here’s the real question: What are you spending your time on?
My best practice? I keep three things in rotation:
An Audible selection that stretches me towards the goals I have for the month or the quarter
A hardbound book for deep learning at my desk- This is the constant focus of my career to honor my obligations and be of service at the highest level possible
And a bedtime read, often historical, to wind down with one of my favorite subjects (and always hardbound to avoid screentime after 10 pm)
We plan our meals. We plan our vacations. We plan our meetings. Why not plan our Learning Sessions, too?
Did you know Nicole hosts two original podcast series?
Each one is designed to spark insight, deepen leadership, and celebrate the stories that shape who we are—at work and beyond. Click the icon to listen.
The Hunter Ambrose Leadership Podcast
Hosted by Nicole Barbano, this podcast dives into real conversations with executives, founders, and innovators who are reshaping how we lead. Each episode explores what it means to enjoy your work, lead with clarity, and be a better human at work—one question at a time.
Legacy & Service
Co-hosted with Justin Wade Sipe, this is a heartfelt series honoring Veterans and their families. Legacy & Service is a place for storytelling, remembrance, and connection across generations of military service. From World War II to the present day, each episode preserves the lived experiences of those who served—and those who stood beside them.
Podcast Production Services
Hunter Ambrose also offers podcast production support for coaching and consulting clients. From concept to final cut, our team helps you launch your voice, connect with your audience, and position your brand with clarity and impact. Email us to learn more.
Podcasts I Never Miss
In Good Company with Nicolai Tangen – A sharp, global perspective on leadership and decision-making at the highest levels. (The podcast Nicole recommends to every new client).
What’s News – The Wall Street Journal – A smart daily briefing that helps you stay economically and politically aware.
Diary of a CEO – Raw, thoughtful interviews that reveal what truly drives success—and struggle.
A Bit of Optimism – Simon Sinek – Conversations that bring clarity and hope in a complicated world.
Modern Wisdom with Chris Williamson – Big questions. Big ideas. And often, the insight you didn’t know you needed.
Books I Recommend Again and Again
The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday – My cornerstone for Stoic thinking and leadership through adversity.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho – A timeless reminder that purpose, belief, and courage will guide you home.
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz – Simple truths that challenge and elevate the way we show up in the world.
48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene – Not always comfortable—but always insightful. A must for understanding influence.
Becoming Bulletproof by Evy Poumpouras – A powerful blend of resilience, emotional intelligence, and practical self-defense.
Madam Secretary by Madeleine Albright – A compelling memoir by one of the most influential women in American diplomacy, filled with courage, intellect, and conviction.
Interested in Booking Nicole?
Media Interviews – Insight on executive careers, leadership, and the evolving workplace
Recruitment + Career Strategy – Expertise in executive search, hiring trends, and career clarity
Training + Board Coaching – Focused sessions for recruitment, project management, leadership teams and board development
Workshops + Speaking Engagements – Practical, high-impact training on performance, alignment, and culture
Timely Commentary – Including economic trends like the DOGE Economy and how they’re reshaping leadership decisions
To book Nicole for your event, interview, or team session:
Email: admin@hunterambrose.com
Connect: Nicole on LinkedIn
