Biography
Dr. Tonya S. Rivers is an executive coach, business and technology strategist, speaker, and Founder & CEO of Purposed2Lead, LLC, an executive advisory and professional development firm dedicated to advancing leadership effectiveness, organizational performance, and sustainable transformation.
With more than 20 years of experience in enterprise technology leadership, digital transformation, business agility, organizational change management, and strategic execution, Dr. Rivers brings a distinctive combination of executive experience, academic research, and professional coaching expertise to her work. She partners with executives, emerging leaders, and organizations to strengthen leadership capabilities, navigate complexity, and translate strategic vision into meaningful results.
As an International Coaching Federation (ICF) Professional Certified Coach (PCC), Board Certified Coach (BCC), Whole Person Certified Coach (WPCC), and Trauma-Informed Certified Coach (TICC), Dr. Rivers integrates evidence-informed coaching practices with a holistic, person-centered approach. Her coaching philosophy emphasizes self-awareness, intentional leadership, professional growth, and the alignment of individual purpose with organizational impact.
Dr. Rivers holds a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), with doctoral research focused on the relationship between technical and subject-matter expertise and leadership effectiveness. Her research interests inform her commitment to helping professionals successfully navigate the complexities of leadership, particularly as they transition from technical expertise into broader organizational responsibilities.
Her professional credentials also include SAFe Practice Consultant (SPC), Project Management Professional (PMP), PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP), and Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM). She is additionally a Maxwell Leadership Certified Team Executive Program Leader and Certified OKR Consultant.
Through Purposed2Lead, Dr. Rivers is committed to equipping leaders and organizations with the insight, confidence, and strategic capabilities necessary to lead authentically, embrace change, and achieve lasting impact.