Consider me the thinking person’s business strategist and the antidote to the “growth at all costs” online business guru. I'm a McKinsey and Harvard MBA-trained Fortune 50 consultant with experience building online and offline businesses... but who also knows her way around a tarot deck.

While others are selling quick wins and "proven formulas", I’m focused on helping you build strong business foundations that make running your business more profitable and easier over time.  No manipulation tactics, no pressure to scale out of doing the work you love, no extractive marketing approaches—I help you create a business with real substance, not just surface-level success.

My approach bridges the gap between corporate expertise and soulful business building, giving you a clear path to predictable profitability that aligns with your values and vision.

No more gambling on tactics that don't fit your business model or struggling alone with generic advice. Just practical, powerful systems and foundations designed to help your expertise-based business thrive long term.

Strategy | Operations | Business Strategist

Jessica Lackey

Y'all - Leaving the Casino hit #8 on the Women and Business Kindle Charts, thanks to Paul Millerd's share of our Q&A yesterday.

I know I keep sharing the sales stats, because I'm honestly blown away by the support and can't believe that the book is even shown on the same screen of these traditionally published books.

It's a true testament that nothing in this game is "passive": I've supported Paul for years, was deeply moved by both of his books, and feel honored to share my story with his readers.

"What made it great, something I’m excited to recommend, is that it goes beyond tactics and pushes people to think through prompts, frameworks, and a well-thought-out process to go much deeper, focusing on the foundation level of your business."

If you want to read our full Q&A, here's the link: https://lnkd.in/e4NtZ__p

Author, Leaving the Casino | Helping experts grow predictably profitable businesses through business foundations | Ex-McKinsey, HBS, Nike

Highline Leadership

One-on-one, team, and group coaching, as well as workshops, masterclasses, and speaking engagements. 

Focus areas include: 

🚀 Executive presence and self-management
🚀 Turning visibility into career level-ups
🚀 Unlocking flow under pressure
🚀 Leading through tumultuous times
🚀 Building high-performing teams
🚀 Communication and Influence
🚀 Reputation Design

Curious? Let's chat: https://calendly.com/alinadoran/meet-alina-doran

Founder + CEO

NYU Stern School of Business

Mentor and coach NYU Stern's MBA students as part of the school's Leadership Development curriculum

Leadership Accelerator Mentor 

Cornell Tech

Startup Studio Advisor 

Pace University - Lubin School of Business

Strategic Leadership Panel Advisor 

The Walt Disney Company

Owned and led strategy & execution of 15 global distribution partnerships throughout Europe and Latin America in the global launch of the Disney Plus streaming service; Established thriving cross-functional partnerships across the organization; Result: Business-as-usual state achieved within 2 weeks post-launch

Led Customer Success Strategy and Business Insights functions during a period of high-velocity, org-wide transformation; Result: culture of emotional safety and candor, leading to innovation, operational and communication efficiencies, and cross-organizational alignment

Coached and facilitated groups of executives across the US and EMEA in Disney's enterprise-wide leadership development program for high-potential executives; Result: created a container of emotional safety and vulnerability, leading to participants' curiosity, candor, and collaboration; Requested by participants to work with me specifically, outside the program

Director, Global Business Operations

Kaseya

Coached leadership and teams; Merger and Acquisition (M&A) integration: 6 businesses in 14 months: led integration of leadership and key functions across companies; Solved for scalable growth and bolstered ROI for the investors by identifying business challenges, then designing and executing solutions to address them; Devised communication strategy and authored messaging for Board of Directors, Banks, and the Executive Team

Director, Business Operations & Process Re-Engineering

General Assembly

Identified and solved company-wide business challenges to facilitate scalable growth and an exit:
Aligned key leaders and their teams on priorities, timing, and resources; Optimized global Finance team operations, including company mission alignment, time framing, role structure, and staffing; Led ERP system implementation, designed and implemented global billing process in 25 markets across 6 countries; Successfully negotiated contracts; Created and rolled out global service credit policy

Head of Finance Operations

Yodle (acquired by Web.com in March 2016)

Sourced and selected partners on both revenue and product sides of the company's Enterprise business:
Rebuilt company’s relationship with, and won trust of, a high-value, multi-million dollar white-label client to serve the role of a trusted strategic business partner; Served as lead for multiple company-wide, cross-functional initiatives, including a flagship product release and product augmentation pilots

Director, Strategic Partnerships

Optimized global Accounting function to support company's rapid growth and ultimate exit: 
Led team of 12 staff and 25 consultants in filing Form S-1 Initial Public Offering (IPO) registration with the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Cut month-close cycle length by 40%, while strengthening data integrity and providing exec team with analytical insights; Presented the financial results of the company on a monthly basis to leadership, including CFO and COO

Director, Assistant Controller

Paramount

Owned financial planning & analysis (FP&A) and Controllership functions of Marketing and Press groups, comprised of 550+ employees spanning 12 departments, totaling $180MM in annual expenditures:
Reduced management reporting turnaround time by 50%; Advised Executive and Senior leadership on cost management alternatives, hiring decisions, media spend, and compensation; Managed annual compensation merit process

Director, Marketing & Press Finance

Led broad range of key strategic Finance projects for the Television Network, a division comprising 60% of CBS Corporation's revenue at the time: 
Led steering committee in ERP implementation, successfully negotiated policies and procedures across 35 decision makers; Authored and rolled out CBS Television Network-wide operational and accounting policies across all divisions; Served as strategic adviser to CFO for a newly-acquired company; Led Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance, including design and presentation of risk strategy to Executive team; Led SharePoint implementation, successfully negotiated new processes across divisions, conducted training

Manager, Finance

The New York Times

Crafted entity-wide analysis, including profitability, growth, competitor, and trend analysis for Executive Team

Financial Analyst

Identified and communicated operational deficiencies and improvement opportunities with senior management

Associate Operations Auditor

I partner with high-performing leaders and teams to lead powerfully through moments that matter, whether it’s a post-M&A fog, a visibility challenge, or a culture on the edge of burnout.

With 25 years inside powerhouse companies like Disney, Paramount, and The New York Times, I’ve led through the highs of global growth and the lows of layoffs, reorgs, and fractured teams. I’ve been the “Swiss Army Knife” leaders turn to when things get complex, political, or mission-critical.

Now, as Founder & CEO of Highline Leadership, I work with executives navigating inflection points where the old playbook no longer works. I bring strategic clarity, leadership precision, and a proprietary framework that helps leaders sharpen their influence, align their teams, and create lasting impact — without burning out or burning bridges.

Specialties:
	•	Executive coaching for high-stakes leadership
	•	Strategy design & alignment 
	•	Leadership visibility & presence at the top
	•	Culture transformation
	•	Speaking & facilitation

If you’re navigating complexity and need a trusted partner who can speak C-suite, cut through noise, and catalyze transformation, let’s talk.

Find a time:  https://calendly.com/alinadoran/meet-alina-doran

Alina Doran

What a powerful way to start the week. 🙏💛

Adam R. Connors , thank you for this thoughtful endorsement and for leading with heart, lifting others as you go.

I am grateful to get to support leaders at high-stakes inflection points and it’s meaningful to have that work reflected back so generously.

Founder & CEO, Highline Leadership | Executive & Organizational Strategy | Speaker | Ex-Disney, Paramount, NY Times, EY

Founder at NetWorkWise | Host of More Than Just a Lunch | Social Architect & Connector of High Caliber People | Author | Keynote Speaker

If you already know Alina Doran today is a good day to tell her (and everyone on #linkedIN) just how amazing she is.
If you don't know her, then it's about time that this change. 

Alina is the kind of Executive Coach who leaves a lasting impact on leaders. Her professionalism and deep passion for her craft shine through in her work, and she has a remarkable history of helping executives navigate pivotal moments. She’s the person who will challenge you to grow in meaningful ways.
On a personal note, Alina is the epitome of class, she's fun, dependable, and truly someone you can be proud to have in your corner. I endorse her both as a professional and as a friend.
If you’re in the C-suite or have aspirations to get there, connecting with Alina is a decision you won’t regret. Trust me, it pays dividends!

#ExecutiveCoaching #LeadershipDevelopment #CLevel #GrowthMindset #PersonalDevelopment" NetWorkWise

https://lnkd.in/eQPzmFx7

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The Battle

Jessica Lackey

Alina Doran

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Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Jessica Lackey's LinkedIn Performance

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