David Smailes is an accomplished executive coach and strategic leader with more than 15 years of experience spanning sales enablement, leadership development, and organizational growth. Based in Utah, David has worked across industries to build and support high-performing teams, mentor C-level executives, and align people strategies with business goals. His expertise and passion for leadership development make him an invaluable resource for CxO Coaching and its clients, helping leaders achieve measurable, lasting results.

In addition to serving as a leadership coach at CxO Coaching, David is also the Head of Sales at Kodiak, where he leads strategic initiatives that align sales, marketing, and operational strategies to fuel organizational growth. Previously, he was Vice President of Learning & Leadership Development at Global Payments, a Fortune 500 company, where he led a global team of 120 professionals. His notable achievements include launching enterprise-wide leadership programs, implementing HR and payments SaaS solutions, and driving cross-functional go-to-market strategies.

Earlier in his career, David was Director of Leadership Development at CHG Healthcare, where he designed and implemented programs that boosted employee engagement. He also spent six years as Director of Learning & Development at Credit.com, where he led a team of 60 professionals, leveraging people analytics to enhance retention and promote high-potential employees. David’s leadership journey began as a Sales Manager and Trainer at Aptive Environmental, where he excelled as a top performer and established a culture of high performance through effective training and coaching.

David’s strong academic foundation complements his professional expertise. He holds a Doctorate in Leadership and Learning in Organizations from Vanderbilt University, a Master’s in Higher Education Administration and Leadership from Harvard University, a Master’s in Organizational Communication from Southern Utah University, and a Bachelor’s in HR Management and Human Development from Brigham Young University Marriott School of Business. He is also a keynote speaker on topics like: How to Leverage AI to Drive Sales and People Development, Leadership Coaching, and Change Management.

With a career that spans roles in HR, sales, and leadership, David brings a unique ability to coach leaders across functions and industries. At CxO Coaching, he leverages his strategic vision, practical experience, and academic insight to help clients unlock their potential, build high-performing teams, and drive meaningful organizational change.

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