About Us
At CoachSelect, our mission is to match people with the right coach to help them reach their professional goals—simply, effectively, and with impact.
Meet The Team
Kate O'Sullivan
Founding Partner
Kate is an executive coach and the co-founder of CoachSelect. She works directly with clients to guide them through our matching process and is responsible for recruiting and overseeing our network of independent coaches. Before co-founding CoachSelect, Kate had her own coaching practice working with high-performing leaders.
Prior to becoming a full-time coach in 2012, Kate was a Senior Manager at Bridgewater Associates, where she focused on transforming teams across several different business areas and worked with the CEO to develop enterprise-wide talent management solutions.
She lives in Washington DC with her husband and three children.
Mike Schmitt
Founding Partner
Mike is an experienced technology, risk, and advisory leader with a goal of helping companies and individuals think better about how they approach the problems of today.
Mike previously worked across many sub-sectors within financial services, including sell side experience at Merrill Lynch Japan, brokerage at Charles Schwab, buy side at BGI, BlackRock, and Bridgewater, and banking at BNPP/Bank of the West. He also has experience running a boutique advisory services firm focused on early-stage startups.
His hobbies include aviation and motorcycling, both of which often take him far away from his home base in San Francisco, CA.
Stella Choi
Partner
Stella is a seasoned financial services executive with expertise in business strategy and general management. Prior to joining CoachSelect, Stella was a Managing Director in BlackRock’s Multi-Alternatives division and has held the positions of COO, head of Marketing & Content, and head of Strategy for the hedge fund solutions division.
She also chaired BlackRock’s global Asian & Middle Eastern Professionals network. Previously, Stella was a Senior Management Associate at Bridgewater, COO of credit proprietary trading at Barclays, and a consultant with McKinsey, beginning her career at Capital One. Stella holds a BA from Yale University and an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management.
She serves on the Board of Directors for the Seattle Opera, and lives in Seattle, WA, with her husband, two children, and golden retriever.
Austin Lopez
Principal
Prior to joining CoachSelect in 2020, Austin ran his own science-driven fitness business focused on helping clients improve their health and lives through clear goal setting and coaching.
As an early team member of CoachSelect, Austin has touched every part of the business, but is now most responsible for running individuals through the matching process, both as concierge and as part of the operations team. Alongside Kate, he also helps to develop and manage the coach network.
Austin, his partner, and their dog Joey live in Portland, OR
Lien Johnson
Concierge and Marketing Lead
Lien is a seasoned marketing leader with extensive experience driving strategic initiatives across B2C, B2B, and tech industries. As the cofounder of a creative agency in San Jose, she developed innovative, inclusive campaigns while fostering collaboration and amplifying underrepresented voices. Known for empowering teams and leveraging data-driven insights, Lien combines strategic expertise with a mission-driven approach rooted in equity and social justice. She has a BA from Yale University.
At CoachSelect, Lien leads the marketing team and enjoys supporting clients as a Concierge.
Lien and her husband live in Los Gatos, California, and have seven children and a golden retriever.
Jane Hinkle
Concierge
Jane brings over a decade of entrepreneurial experience, with a strong background in the wellness and recruiting & career industries. Her expertise lies in building strong relationships as well as helping clients navigate challenges and refine their goals. Known for her ability to connect with diverse audiences, Jane fosters a supportive environment that encourages open dialogue.
At CoachSelect, Jane serves as a member of the Concierge team, where she specializes in cultivating and managing relationships as clients navigate the coach matching process.
Jane resides in San Francisco, CA, with her partner and their son.