Steve Cook

Steve Cook — A Catalyst for Leadership Impact

I work with executives and leadership teams to increase their impact on the organization — bringing clarity to decisions, cohesion to teams, and confidence to leadership during periods of growth, change, or complexity. With a background spanning executive leadership, product, marketing, and operations, I partner with organizations from high-growth startups to Fortune 500 companies to sharpen strategic focus, strengthen leadership capability, and help teams follow through with discipline and intent.

Experience

For more than 25 years, I’ve held senior leadership roles across operations, product, customer experience, and marketing in organizations that were building, transforming, and scaling. I’ve served as a COO, Chief Product Officer, and executive leader in both venture-backed companies and large enterprises. I spent 13 years at Intuit during its rise as a global product company, leading teams across QuickBooks and TurboTax and helping establish accountants as one of the company’s most important customer segments. Later, as a senior executive at Entertainment Partners, I built and led the Product and UX organizations, launched industry-defining platforms, and played a key role in the company’s private-equity acquisition.

Coaching Foundation

Before founding Next Level Executive Group, I spent three years as a Certified Executive Coach with Transcend, where I received deep training and mentorship in executive coaching and leadership development. That experience – built on my real-world operating experience, the influence of exceptional leaders I’ve worked alongside, and the ongoing professional development I received throughout my career – has profoundly shaped how I work with leaders.  I also remain closely connected to the technology ecosystem as a Product Management Expert Coach with Product Rebels and McKinsey & Company.

I’m driven by helping leaders step into greater impact — not just managing the work in front of them, but shaping direction, building trust, and increasing their influence across the organization. 

Approach

I serve as both a coach and thought partner in moments that matter. My work focuses on helping leaders see more clearly, think more strategically, and lead more intentionally. Through candid conversation, questions aimed at building deep understanding, practical tools, and structured reflection, I support executives in building the habits and judgment required to lead at scale.

Specialties

• Preparing executives for broader Enterprise-First impact

• Helping senior teams surface and resolve what’s actually getting in their way

• Transforming technology teams to embrace a customer-first culture and delivering real impact 

  
  

On a Personal Note

I live in Southern California. Outside of work, I enjoy time with my family, traveling, being outdoors, and staying the curious student of leadership I encourage my clients to be. I also volunteer as the Recruiter Program Manager for NeverSearchAlone.org, a free community for those looking to find a new job they love.