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executive coaches and facilitators

Meet Our Team

A Team Dedicated to Your Professional and Personal Success

Fast Forward Co-Founders Wendy Leshgold and Lisa McCarthy have developed a team of executive coaches, facilitators, and engagement managers who are dedicated to helping professionals achieve extraordinary success and fulfillment. More than 100,000 people from leading companies around the globe are living their best lives after training and coaching from the Fast Forward Group.

Lisa McCarthy
Lisa McCarthy
CEO, Co-Founder

Lisa McCarthy is the CEO and Co-founder of Fast Forward Group, a leadership development and executive coaching company known for accelerating growth and innovation, elevating talent, and transforming culture. Since 2013, Fast Forward Group has ignited hundreds of thousands of executives at leading global companies to change the way they lead, work, and live — with proven and lasting impact on mindset and behavior.

Onstage, Lisa will have you laughing, nodding, and probably texting yourself notes to start tomorrow. Known for being a speaker who actually connects with her audience, Lisa brings a mix of relatability, authenticity, and a dash of straight talk that leaves people not just thinking but doing. She co-authored Fast Forward: 5 Power Principles to Create the Life You Want in Just One Year — a book that’s been spotlighted in big-name publications like Forbes, Fast Company, Big Think, and TD Magazine.

Before teaming up with her childhood friend Wendy Leshgold to launch Fast Forward Group, Lisa spent 25 years leading high-performing sales teams at Fortune 500 media companies, overseeing billions in revenue. Those high-pressure roles taught her a thing or two about juggling professional success with personal well-being—without dropping any balls.

Lisa earned her BA from Georgetown University and now lives what she calls an “overly fulfilled” life in Port Washington, NY, with her husband and three kids.

The Fast Forward Group President Wendy Leshgold
Wendy Leshgold
President, Co-Founder

Wendy Leshgold is the President and Co-founder of Fast Forward Group, a leadership development and executive coaching company known for accelerating growth and innovation, elevating talent, and transforming culture. Since 2013, Fast Forward Group has ignited hundreds of thousands of executives at leading global companies to change the way they lead, work, and live — with proven and lasting impact on mindset and behavior.

As a frequent keynote speaker and a sought-after podcast guest, Wendy is known for her deep insights into building coaching cultures, leading through change, and turning big-picture strategies into reality. She’s also the co-author of Fast Forward: 5 Power Principles to Create the Life You Want in Just One Year, with her expertise highlighted in major outlets like Forbes, Fast Company, Big Think, and TD Magazine.

Wendy’s entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to leadership development runs deep. Before starting Fast Forward Group with her childhood friend Lisa McCarthy, she ran a thriving coaching practice, helping senior leaders across industries elevate their game. She also spent over a decade in advertising, where she led teams and global campaigns at agencies like Ogilvy & Mather, BBDO, and Deutsch.

Wendy received her BA in History from the University of Virginia and a PCC from The Co-Active Training Institute, and now serves as the board chair of California Environmental Voters. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and three kids. When she’s not cheering on her son at baseball games, you can find her enjoying a good walk with her four-legged pals.

Our Story

Childhood friends Lisa and Wendy founded Fast Forward Group to challenge the belief that professional success demands personal sacrifice. Their simple, proven approach transforms workplaces, one person at a time. People-first leaders around the world are using Fast Forward to ignite their people, business, and culture.

Our Approach

Lisa and Wendy, the executive coaches, smiling

Coaches

Our diverse roster of Fast Forward coaches includes more than 50 seasoned professionals based in a dozen countries around the globe. Reach out to be matched with a Fast Forward Executive Coach or to hear more about our roster of coaches

CONTACT US

Invest in Your Future Success

Our proven, science-backed approach to professional and personal success transforms how people and teams lead, live and work. Get in touch to find out how our programming and coaches can contribute to your success in the year ahead.

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