Transformational Female Business Coach of the Year, 2025
Donna Dahl’s story is one of resilience, vision, and the power of saying yes. She often says that if her DNA were ever studied, coaching would surely appear as one of its building blocks. For as long as she can remember, she has been guiding people, helping them see possibilities, and encouraging them to move forward with courage. But her path to becoming a globally recognized business coach was not a straight line. It was shaped by chance opportunities, unexpected challenges, and the unwavering belief that growth is born from the willingness to step beyond comfort. We, at EliteX, are honored to introduce Donna Dahl as the Transformational Female Business Coach of the Year, 2025.
Her introduction to business coaching was sparked by an invitation. A publisher of a magazine for women in business encouraged her to submit an article. Donna hesitated-doubting whether her words would meet expectations-but she also felt hopeful. She said yes. The result was more than she imagined. The article was well received, readers connected with her message, and the publisher praised her work. Fourteen months later, Donna had not only launched her first book but also her coaching business. A few years later, her second book became the marketing textbook for a local training company. She was also invited to host a weekly online marketing show to support women in business.
Each new opportunity grew from the courage to say yes. Donna recalls how stepping into the unknown expanded her comfort zone in ways she never expected. She didn’t accept every offer, but she always weighed each one carefully. Saying yes opened doors that led her to empower executives and entrepreneurs around the world. Today, she is not only an author and a speaker but also a master leadership coach who helps people transform clarity into purposeful action.
“Saying yes has opened doors. It has stretched my comfort zone well beyond comfort.”
What makes Donna’s journey even more remarkable is that it began with a life-changing car accident. Before that moment, she had a thriving professional career, but the accident forced her into years of recovery from brain injury. It took a decade to move from seclusion back into public life. Slowly, she began networking, speaking, and rebuilding her professional identity. Through it all, she discovered that coaching was not only her natural calling but also a way to serve others while reclaiming her own purpose.
Becoming a coach felt like a natural outcome of her background in psychology and her lived experiences. Donna says that nothing motivates quite like success. When her earliest clients shared heartfelt testimonials about breakthroughs they experienced-even in a single 90-minute session-she knew she was exactly where she needed to be. Some doubted that meaningful change could happen in such a short time, but Donna built her reputation on moving people from “stuck to start” with precision and empathy.
The feedback she received became her fuel. With more than a hundred testimonials on LinkedIn and Amazon, her impact is clear. For Donna, the real measure of success is not in recognition but in seeing lives and businesses transform. It is the joy of knowing she has helped someone find clarity, direction, and renewed confidence.
When asked about transformation in business coaching, Donna explains that it is not a single event but a continuous journey. Using her copyrighted CORE method, she works collaboratively with clients to identify needs, set goals, and pursue action with purpose. Transformation, in her view, is not just about business performance but also about personal growth. It is about weaving together the professional and the personal to create progress that is sustainable and deeply meaningful.
Donna’s coaching style is as unique as the people she serves. She does not believe in a one-size-fits-all formula. Instead, she looks at each client’s resources, talents, and potential, shaping solutions that align with their vision. Her approach is both practical and holistic, grounded in evidence-based tools yet flexible enough to adapt to real-world challenges. She focuses not just on strategies but also on mindset-the lens through which decisions are made and relationships are built.
“Sometimes change only takes five minutes, and when that happens, the other 85 minutes of a 90-minute session are a bonus.”
For Donna, mindset is the hidden driver of success. Skills and strategies matter, but it is mindset that determines whether someone merely survives or truly thrives. A resilient, opportunity-focused outlook allows entrepreneurs to take risks, embrace feedback, and lead with empathy. With the right mindset, people are better able to build lasting businesses and inspire others along the way.
Her adaptability as a coach comes from her diverse experiences in psychology, business, and continuous learning. She knows that no two clients are alike. At times she acts as a thought partner, at other times as a challenger or strategic advisor. Whether guiding seasoned executives through leadership transitions or supporting first-time entrepreneurs, she tailors her approach to match their needs. She celebrates milestones, no matter how small, and helps clients turn uncertainty into clarity and ambition into action.
Donna’s vision for the future is rooted in resilience and service. She believes every chapter of life, even the most difficult ones, carries seeds of possibility. She has learned that resilience grows not from avoiding challenges but from facing them with presence and conviction. Community support, daily rituals, and the celebration of small wins have been her anchors. Her purpose lies in serving others, creating meaningful progress, and continuing to say yes to opportunities that allow her to make a difference. She also plans to keep writing books and guiding aspiring authors as a “book shepherd,” helping them bring their ideas to life.
“Resilience is built not in the absence of adversity, but in the willingness to remain present and act with conviction.”
Over the years, Donna has built a reputation as a catalyst for change, someone who empowers leaders to step into the spotlight with confidence. Her work has earned her prestigious honors such as the Global Women Leader Award, the Woman of Inspiration Award, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, and the International Women’s Day Award for Outstanding Service to Business. Yet, she remains grounded, focusing on impact rather than accolades.
She has authored six self-published books, including the well-loved Lessons I Learned from the Tortoise. Each of her books is designed to inspire and guide readers through challenges in both life and business. Beyond writing, she has created ripple effects through her coaching, influencing organizations and individuals to embrace growth, courage, and possibility.
At the heart of her work is the belief that transformation is possible for everyone. By saying yes to opportunities, trusting in possibility, and aligning mindset with purpose, people can achieve more than they ever imagined. Donna’s own journey-shaped by adversity, resilience, and bold decisions-is proof of that. She continues to dedicate her life to guiding others, helping them not only to reach their goals but also to discover the strength and clarity within themselves.
“I have built a reputation for moving clients from stuck to start with clarity and confidence.”
In many ways, Donna Dahl’s story is not just about coaching but about choosing possibility over fear. It is about rebuilding after loss, saying yes when it feels uncertain, and believing that even the hardest chapters can be rewritten. Through her coaching, her writing, and her speaking, she reminds the world that transformation is always within reach-sometimes in just 90 minutes, sometimes in a lifetime of learning, but always in the choice to take the next step forward.
