Bio

Dr. Steve Lerer is the Founder and Lead Strengths Strategist at Steve Lerer Coaching. Steve is a strategic, high-performing professional with leadership experience and expertise in learning, change, and organizational management. His professional history includes designing learning and talent development programs with a focus on strengths-based approach to attain a multi-faceted workforce that optimizes synergy and achieves positive results. He has strength and expertise in leading management initiatives to promote outreach and engagement, recruitment, staff development, retention and succession planning. Steve is also one of the few coaches who has completed the Gallup Strengths Advanced Coaching training and the Coaching Builder Talents training.

Steve has been the Learning and Development Program Manager for Kaiser Permanente of Washington (KPWA) since January 2019, a Certified CliftonStrengths Coach since November 2016, and a Certified Leadership Circle Profile Practitioner since April 2021. Since joining KPWA, Steve has led the implementation of KP Leadership University programs in the region, built robust leadership development programs for managers and emerging leaders, designed a region wide CliftonStrengths program, and was a key player in pivoting leadership development to the virtual environment during COVID-19.

Steve has been coaching managers and teams for 5 years and loves helping new leaders learn to leverage their strengths every day in their work. In December 2021, Steve was recognized with a national award by Kaiser Permanente for building a leadership program with the “Best Use of Integrated or Blended Trainings”. This award was for a 12-month new manager roadmap with a foundation in CliftonStrengths and ongoing manager coaching.

Prior to KPWA, Steve lived in California for 10 years where he worked for two campuses in the University of California system. At UC Riverside, Steve worked as a Resident Director for a 1000 person first-year residence hall and served as the President of the UC Riverside Staff Assembly. At UC Merced, Steve worked as an Assistant and Associate Director of Student Life where his job responsibilities included advising the Associated Students, overseeing Fraternity and Sorority Life, and developing leadership programs. In this role he established and grew the campus’s Student Leadership Center.

As a Strengths Coach, BP10 Coach, facilitator, and speaker, Steve has created programs and initiatives to develop strengths in a variety of organizations. He has done this individually, with teams, and with large groups. His focus on and experience with asset-based education and personal development will be a great benefit to you in a coaching session.

Steve received his B.A in Psychology and Criminal Justice from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. He went on to receive his M.A in College Student Personnel from Bowling Green State University. Most recently, Steve completed his Ph.D. in Education and Human Resources at Colorado State University. His dissertation was entitled “Exploring the Perceptions of First-Generation College Students with Strengths Based Development Experiences”.

Steve lives in Seattle with his wife and three kids and spends his free time training for and racing in various triathlons. In July 2015, Steve completed his first full 140.6 Ironman race.