Anne Pendo, MD, FACP, PCC
Dr. Anne Pendo helps healthcare leaders transform into exceptional forces for change by meeting them where they are in their leadership journey, and helping them build the new leadership muscle they need to thrive. Drawing from 30+ years as a practicing physician and a decade as a healthcare executive, Anne brings something rare to the coaching world: she’s walked the walk. Having navigated the pressures of patient care and led cross-functional teams through complex transformations, Anne now helps other leaders find their footing on similar journeys.
Anne’s coaching philosophy centers on teaching clients to lead with their heart, brain, and spine—tapping into both intellectual and emotional intelligence while building the resilience needed to thrive in complex, shifting conditions.
This approach is especially valuable during pivotal moments of transition: leaders stepping into new roles, managing cross- functional teams, or implementing system-level changes. What sets Anne apart is her ability to foster connection quickly, establishing psychological safety where honest, vulnerable conversations can flourish. To that end, she builds trust with the speed and skill of someone who knows that in healthcare, time is precious, relationships are crucial, and stakes are always high.
Her client roster includes CMOs, CEOs, and healthcare executives at every level. They’re drawn to Anne because they see her as someone who can help them strike that delicate balance between the clinical training that taught them to have all the answers and the leadership reality that requires them to be authentically human. Through her coaching, leaders develop the skills needed to succeed in high-complexity, high-ambiguity environments, build high-performing teams, and foster cultures that prioritize the well- being of employees and patients.
Throughout her career, Anne has championed innovative approaches to healthcare leadership, serving on boards at multiple levels and pioneering leadership development programs for physicians and advanced practice providers. Anne earned her Executive Coach certification from the International Coaching Federation, and her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Southern California, training in internal medicine at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. For more than three decades, she practiced Internal Medicine and Geriatrics while serving in various leadership roles at InterMountain Health.
Anne lives in Salt Lake City with her husband and their two therapy dogs, Olive and Ollie. When not coaching healthcare leaders, she loves traveling to spend time with her five children and grandchildren.
What’s your coaching philosophy in action?
We then reflect on outcomes: “What happened? What signals were present? How did I feel? How did others feel?” From there, we decide whether to continue on that path or change course, repeating this process as new challenges and opportunities arise.
What’s the leadership challenge you’re known for solving?
These experiences make me uniquely equipped to help clients integrate personal and professional growth with their well-being, so they can lead with clarity, confidence, and compassion. I’m also known for empowering teams to lead themselves, others, and initiatives more effectively—bringing energy, enthusiasm and optimism to every session.
Describe your ideal coaching client.
I’m particularly drawn to non-traditional leaders who recognize that what got them here won’t get them to where they want to go next. They’re curious about what’s possible in healthcare, want to thrive both professionally and personally, and understand they need to make changes to get there.
Often, they’re stepping into a new role, organization, or set of conditions. The same applies to newly formed teams learning together.
What would surprise people about your approach?
Others might be surprised that I can be deeply compassionate while still asking hard questions and pushing them for change.
What’s a leadership breakthrough you’ve witnessed?
Another client stepped into an interim role alongside her existing position. When the interim role lasted longer than expected, she felt she couldn’t juggle both effectively. We celebrated her strengths, defined what was most important to her, and used 360° feedback to deepen self-awareness. Deep questions, deep thought, and deep listening—combined with safe feedback exchange—proved incredibly powerful.
What’s your unique background and experience?
As an executive coach, I draw from this rich background to coach “leaders of leaders” in healthcare.
What myth about executive coaching do you love to bust?
One myth I love busting: that coaches tell you what to do and give you all answers. Instead, your coach helps transform how you think, not what you should think.
Another myth is that relational skills can’t be learned. Lastly, it’s a myth that coaches can’t be compassionate while challenging you. I excel in that balance, blending compassion with the hard questions that drive growth and change.