Northwestern University

Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management

University of Chicago

Denison University

Culver Academies

Coaching executives, executive teams, and board members to lead with greater awareness, intention, and impact

Provide career coaching services to members of the Kellogg School’s Global Alumni Network.

Career Coach

Housed within a nationally ranked graduate school of education (Top 10 - U.S. News & World Report), the MSLOC program is an interdisciplinary program integrating research in strategic change management, design, organizational culture, learning and performance, strategy, and knowledge management.

- Co-teach or have co-taught two graduate-level courses in Northwestern's Master's Program in Learning and Organizational Change: “Accelerating Learning and Performance,” "Building Transformational Client Relationships." Recent student comments selected from Northwestern's anonymous course evaluation platform include: 

"Eric brought his professional experience as an executive coach to our class discussions, which allowed me to understand the theories as applied in a real–world context" 

"I loved the office hours before our class! I looked forward to them every Monday and found our conversations fascinating" 

"He wants students to develop their whole selves. He is interested in your goals, and focuses on the academics, but wants to know why you are in the program and what you want to get out of it. I learned so many lessons from him in a way that I haven't from any other teacher, mentor, or boss in the past" 

"Even entirely virtually, Eric conveys exceptional presence and empathy in his interactions. He is very skilled, knowledgeable about the material, and has lots of practical experience, of course, but it is his presence and groundedness that particularly comes to mind. He creates an environment where people CAN be authentic, where people feel safe to share and learn. As a student, it is very inspiring to have him as an instructor."

Master of Science in Learning & Organizational Change at Northwestern University

Adjunct Professor (individual and organizational learning and performance; leadership development)

Provide leadership, team development, and career coaching for participants in the Kellogg School's Executive MBA Program.

Colette Feldges wrote: 
"Eric Fridman has served as a leadership and team coach for the Kellogg Executive MBA program for the past 2 years. Being an alum of the program, he has particular insight into the challenges that students and teams can encounter during this experience. Eric's genuine and authentic talent for coaching is truly rare. He has the ability to connect with individuals - meeting them where they are and helping them think through how to get to a better place. He has on many occasions, intervened in a situation that seemed unresolvable. Using relevant frameworks, active listening skills and a perfect balance of compassion and accountability he has consistently helped our students separate the person from the behavior, identify constructive ways to deal with conflict, build self awareness and overcome barriers. His success rate in helping both teams and individuals get back on track and realize the most value from the EMBA experience has been truly remarkable. I respect Eric enormously - as a person and a coach - and offer my highest commendation of the work he has done for us."

Leadership Coach and Team Facilitator (Executive, Career, and High-Impact Team Coaching)

Support leaders and leadership teams as they uncover new possibilities for living and working in ways that encourage professional success and personal growth.

Anne Algaze wrote: 
"Working with Eric as my executive coach over the past year has been nothing short of transformative. Eric’s experience with mindfulness practices has made a significant impact on my journey as an executive and leader, helping me navigate the complexities of our profession with greater self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and resilience."

Kathleen Wisemandle wrote: 
“Eric was such a great listener and his gift for inquiry is amazing. I have struggled with this tension of future career direction for a few years, and some personal and professional concerns for over a decade. With Eric's coaching, I found clarity and tools to enable me to move past these points of tension."

Tina Hohman wrote:
"Eric was instrumental in my advancing my career to a new level and simultaneously showing me new tools to be successful while helping me uncover skills I already had but needed to use differently."

Lindsey Hardenbergh wrote:
"Eric is a gifted coach and wise advisor. I had a coaching conversation with Eric during an important moment of my life. Throughout the course of our conversation, Eric listened attentively and asked several thought-provoking questions that I continue to use as a decision-making framework today. His guidance helped me determine a plan of action to step forward confidently in ways that were true to my values. He encouraged me to develop a disciplined practice of contemplation, network to connect in authentic ways, and reframe my desire to answer life’s questions into a desire to live life's questions."

Fridman Associates

Founder and Principal (Executive, Leadership, Career and Life Coaching, Team Facilitation)

Recruited from Kellogg School of Management to build new marketing and communications team for Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences.  Directed all marketing and communications initiatives, including web, electronic, and digital/print communications for the largest and most comprehensive of the 12 schools at the university.

• Increased college's visibility within and beyond university by making compelling case for value of liberal arts and sciences education.
• Launched new branding initiative for college (2016) built around interdisciplinary thinking for the complex world, supported by new anthem video and redesigned website.
• Redesigned college’s view book for undergraduate admissions.
• Redesigned and repositioned college's alumni magazine, winning five national/international awards (UCDA Award of Excellence in 2014 and 2015; as well as CASE Award in 2014, CASE Grand Gold Award in 2015, and CASE Gold Medal for Best Specialized or Unit-Level Magazine in 2016).
• Redesigned (2013) college website while transitioning to new content management system and mobile-friendly, responsive design. Rolled out (2018) v2.0 of new design to 60 programs and departmental sites within college.
• Launched network of digital signs across campus, supported by new content development process and management system.

Elizabeth Foster wrote:
I had the honor of having Eric Fridman as my supervisor, collaborator and coach for 3 years. He coached me through difficult conversations I needed to have, encouraged me in my journey to expand my leadership both within the College and the University, and allowed me to experience great leadership in action. I am a better and more confident leader because of him.

Rebecca Lindell wrote:
"Eric is supportive, collaborative and insightful as he inspires others to bring forth their best work. His ability to truly listen and inspire trust -- both within our team and the organization at large."

Assistant Dean, Marketing and Communications (Higher Ed Student, Faculty, Alumni Communications)

Directed marketing planning and strategy for all Kellogg School of Management academic programs, including full-/part-time MBA, executive MBA (EMBA), and non-degree executive education programs.  Partnered with CMO to oversee consolidation of two previously independent marketing departments (executive education and marketing and communications) into a new, single, centralized marketing organization charged with integrating all marketing and communications initiatives across school.  Managed $8,000,000 marketing budget.

• Co-chaired launch of new Think Bravely brand through $4,000,000 global print and digital advertising campaign as well as redesigns of MBA program and non-degree view books/brochures, direct marketing collateral, and school website (July 2011).
• Led workgroup tasked with formulating initiatives for ensuring new Kellogg brand values reached administrative operations across all school programs, departments, and campuses.

Chris Tussing wrote: 
"To me, Eric epitomizes the things that make the Kellogg School of Management great. He's smart, thoughtful and collaborative by nature. He is a student of business who understands how organizations run and how to position them for success."

Managing Director, Marketing and Communications (Branding, Advertising, Collateral Development)

Taught undergraduate-level courses in leadership development.

Megan Redfearn wrote: 
"Eric's leadership course was a transformative part of my career and he exemplifies to me what makes a fantastic educator and coach. The class had a powerful combination of thoughtful readings, self reflection, and engaging discussion. Eric challenged students to expand our understanding of leadership beyond management and start to articulate our own ideas about what makes a great leader. He is passionate about helping other's toward their goals and is genuinely interested in the lives of his students. His course inspired (and prepared) me to do a Master's program at Northwestern and focus my research on leadership. I highly recommend him as a faculty member and coach!"

Northwestern University School of Professional Studies

Senior Lecturer (Effective Leadership Skills and Development)

Led marketing for Kellogg EMBA and non-degree executive education programs worldwide.  Managed portfolio of three domestic EMBA, 35 open enrollment, and 15 custom corporate/government programs representing $55,000,000 in annual revenue.  Hired and retained a team of eight marketing professionals.

• Increased revenue by 19% and net income by 46% while reducing marketing expense as percentage of revenue from 17% to 11% through two recessionary cycles (2002 to 2004 and 2009 to 2011).
• Grew EMBA applications by 48% over first four years of appointment.
• Launched new Kellogg executive education campus in Miami, Florida (2006) and recruited two full-capacity classes of top-tier EMBA students from 17 countries.
• Developed and launched 17 new open enrollment programs (2004 to 2011).
• Placed articles on executive education programs in The Wall Street Journal; Financial Times; BusinessWeek; America Economia; Chicago Tribune; Crain’s Chicago Business; South Florida CEO; Miami Herald; Latin Trade; and other key international, national, regional, and local business publications.

Meghan Manchon wrote: 
I had the privilege of working for Eric for over 8 years during our time at the Kellogg School. He is an inspirational leader who taught me a lot about how to be a good marketer but more importantly how to be a good manager and leader. Eric is one of those rare managers who is able to provide strategic vision and direction while trusting his team to make good decisions and develop their own portfolio of skills and experiences."

Stephen Burnett wrote: 
"Eric did a superb job of building a first-rate marketing department in support of Kellogg School Executive Education during the eight years that we worked together. He orchestrated dramatic improvements in the quality and motivation of the staff, marketing communications, data analytics, and all of our marketing processes."

Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University

Assistant Dean, Executive Education and EMBA Programs (Lead Generation/Enrollment Management)

Directed strategic planning and organizational development programs for a $200MM division of 3Com Corporation.

• Fueled 80% revenue growth over two years, with gross margins of 55% - 60%, and a return to profitability through implementation of best-in-class performance reporting and customer relationship management programs
• Achieved a #1, #2, or #3 market share across all product lines despite challenging industry conditions. 
• Planned global customer conferences in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia
• Designed and implemented the company’s first strategic planning process
• Launched a Balanced Scorecard program for formulating business strategy and tracking and reporting quarterly operating performance
• Led a quarterly leadership development program targeted at the company’s 80 top global managers teaching advanced business planning skills, value proposition development, value chain management, and business model innovation strategies. 
• Established performance management and customer satisfaction processes critical for securing ISO-9000 recertification and TL-9000 quality certification.

3Com

Director, Strategic Planning and Development (Business Planning/Organizational Development)

Taught graduate-level leadership development and organizational change courses. 2002 DePaul University Excellence in Teaching Award.