About Penkin Consulting

Welcome to Penkin Consulting! We believe that growth of organizations is intentional, and it happens when executives truly want to facilitate it. We offer Executive Coaching, Corporate Leadership Coaching Programs, Speaking Engagements & more to our community in Buffalo, Western New York, and beyond. We specialize in diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as executive and leadership coaching for women. We are here to support you in Building Community, whether that be through a powerful seminar or by helping you create an inclusive environment for your employees!

According to the International Coaching Federation, all levels of employees appreciate coaching, with their reports indicating high levels of approval from both senior executives (78%) and employees (73%). International Coaching Federation

Meet Our Founder, Jillian Penkin

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Creating a career in construction happened by accident for Jillian.
After 16 years in this industry - from HVAC, plumbing, building automation and finally flooring - she couldn't imagine calling another industry "home." But every home has its dysfunctional family members...and we 
very rarely give up on family. 
Jillian started Penkin Consulting to create a future for women in industries heavily populated by men. While many companies may claim to promote diversity, equity, & inclusion, many less actually embrace the true meaning of this philosophy into the core of their day to day actions. Guided by 20+ years of her own experiences, Jillian began supporting business organizations in Buffalo, Western New York, and nationwide looking to foster an authentic environment of acceptance, growth, and stellar leadership. But, how is that actually accomplished? All of the biggest changes begin by taking the first step. Book your own free 30 minute consultation to see where authentic, goal-focused leadership can take your organization!

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Building Community Starts Here

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Community cannot exist without understanding. Representation is not just an ethical imperative—it is the foundation of long-term, repeatable success in both life and business. Diversity brings strength, inclusion fosters wisdom, and true equity lifts us all. This is why I focus on history—because to know where we are going, we must first understand where we have been. By embracing the successes and failures of the past, we can learn, grow, and build a stronger, more inclusive future.

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What Sets Penkin Consulting Apart?

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At Penkin Consulting, we don’t just coach leadership - our experiences make us uniquely qualitifed. With over 16 years of experience in the construction industry, we have navigated high-pressure environments, experienced our fair share of workplace harassment and mishandling of situations, and as a result have learned (sometimes the hard way) how to lead with both assertiveness and empathy. Our own experiences set us apart from coaching firms that rely solely on theory - we know what it takes to lead in demanding industries because we’ve actually been there.

When we say we’re going to do something, we do it. Accountability, integrity, and result-driven coaching are at the core of everything we do. We work closely with executives and their organizations to create customized, actionable strategies that drive real change - not just surface-level motivational pep-talks.

We take a straightforward, no-fluff approach to executive coaching, mentorship, and corporate leadership development. Our method isn’t about checking boxes or following a one-size-fits-all playbook. Instead, we focus on identifying what truly works for you and your organization, whether that means fostering a culture of accountability, improving workplace equity, or equipping your team with other necessary tools to thrive.

Located right in Buffalo, NY, we serve executives and businesses across Western New York and nationwide, helping leaders transform the way they communicate, strategize, and lead.

Our Core Values

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Shaping positive workplace cultures doesn't just happen by accident - It happens with intention. Our core values are the foundation behind everything that we do, whether it is an employee mentoring program to foster leadership or conducting a seminar for a corporate event.

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Communication

They say that great minds think alike, but we have found that great minds think best when surrounding by other great minds that think differently. The ability to communicate your needs and do so effectively brings out the very best in individuals, executives, and organizations, and we coach on how to foster this diversity from the ground up in organizations.

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Fostering Great Work Environments

Your employees would love it if they loved showing up for work every day, and believe us so would you, your business, and your bottom line. So, how do we accomplish it? With intentional, genuine changes, exploring new opportunities, and looking at opportunities to improve your own outlook. After all, a rising tide lifts all boats!

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Collaboration

No one in the world's history enjoyed being talked down to, and this can often be the start of losing great employees. Collaboration between employees, and collaboration between executives and their employees makes a monumental difference in workplace satisfaction and the success of organizations. There are many different kinds of collaboration, and we are passionate about teaching how this is the difference between good businesses and great ones.

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Leadership

Contrary to popular opinion, it does not threaten your job to teach your employees how to be exceptional leaders. In fact, in reality it increases job satisfaction, increases productivity, and decreases turnover! Exceptional leaders create exceptional leaders, which in turn creates exceptional organizations. We believe that fostering exceptional leadership is what sets businesses apart.

What our Clients Have to Say

Isabella

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Jillian mentored me when I was new in my role out of college. I needed a lot of help navigating the office I was in because it was totally different from college life but also because I needed help fitting in. Not only did Jillian help me so I could be a better coworker, she taught me networking skills that I will use for life. Highly recommend working with her, especially if you’re new to the working world!

Elizabeth M

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I attended a presentation Jillian gave on Susan B Anthony and the suffragists and it gave me all the feels! Even though I’m from Rochester, I’ve sadly never been to the museum but now I’m definitely going. Jillian is easily the best speaker I have ever been to. She is funny, interesting and keeps people engaged the entire time. You can tell she is super passionate about this subject. Someone book her so I can go again!

I was laid off and Jillian wasted no time reaching out to offer support. She revamped my resume, connected me with local companies she knew I could be a fit for, and brought me to networking events. What could have been a really low point in my life was made much brighter by having a colleague, and friend, like Jillian in my corner. I wasn’t out of work for long! Jillian’s problem solving and positivity has got to be her not-so-secret-weapon.

Lynne K

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I worked with Jillian to get pointers on how to best prepare for my annual review at work. I’m confident in my position at my company but having someone objective to go through this with beforehand, helped me find holes that made me walk taller going in. Jillian helped me properly lay out the ask to get myself to a management level. I’m reinvigorated at work and ready for what’s to come. 5 stars all around!

John L

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Our Best Executive Coaching and Organizational Leadership Insights: Welcome to the Penkin Consulting Blog!

Click to read blog post: Unbiased Definitions in plain language to aid the DEI conversation
By Jillian Penkin February 21, 2025
You've likely been hearing a lot more about DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) in the recent weeks. What you might not realize, is that Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policies have their roots in the 1960 Civils Rights Movement and more specifically, the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
Click to read blog post: Emotional Intelligence: There is Power in the Pause
By Jillian Penkin January 29, 2025
I recall giving advice to someone who was nervous before going up on stage before giving a speech and I said “there is power in the pause…”
Click to read blog post: When Does a Team Need a Mediator vs a Coach?
By Penkin Consulting January 27, 2025
Even the strongest teams face challenges. Conflicts arise, communication breakdowns, temporary stagnation or disruption from team changes. You may opt to bring in outside experts—a coach or mediator—to address these issues. Choosing the right approach depends on the situation.

Looking to improve your leadership skills for a promotion, or looking to be the best executive for your organization? We look forward to providing our best insights into organizational leadership, workplace dynamics, and how to create an enviable job environment that reduces turnover and skyrockets productivity!