Connect with Brian

About

I help leaders step into their full potential to lead with greater purpose, courage, and impact.

Quick Introduction

I am the Chief Operating Officer of Kingdom Capital, a values driven private investment firm, where I also serve as the Director of the Kingdom Capital Leadership Institute. In this dual role, I equip leaders and their teams to maximize performance today while preparing strategically for tomorrow.

Before stepping into the marketplace, I was serving as an Executive Pastor and had served in various roles within a church setting for 17 years. I now integrate that experience into my leadership and coaching—bringing together faith, strategy, and leadership to serve values-driven clients.

I also serve as President of Christian Coaches Network International (CCNI), the oldest global non-profit Christian member association supporting professional coaches through credentialing, professional development, and business-building resources.

I hold an MBA, a Master’s in Organizational Leadership, and a Master’s in Christian Ministry. My wife, Katie, and I have called St. Louis home for over 20 years and enjoy life with our two sons. I began training to become a coach after experiencing the transformative power of a coach partnership. The experience of having a trusted confidant, advisor, and coach in my corner accelerated my growth and impact in a way I knew I wanted to do for others. I am incredibly grateful for the privilege of partnering with leaders.

Read Brian's Story
brian bennett

Executive Leadership

Chief Operating Officer, Director of the Kingdom Capital Leadership Institute & Previously Executive Pastor

Academic Credentials

Three Master’s (MBA, MOL, MACM) + Doctorate in Strategic Leadership (in progress)

President of CCNI

Oldest global non-profit Christian member association supporting professional coaches

200+ Hours Coach Training

Professional Certification

1,000+ Coaching Hours

Proven Client Results

Professional Coach Certification

Leadership & Life Coach (PCCI)

Leadership Assessments

Korn Ferry & TTI Success Insights Certified

Brian Bennett pencil art

Brian’s Story

My earliest roots in leadership were watching my father lead as a senior pastor in church and when he handed me a John Maxwell book on leadership at the age of 17, I consumed it. Mentors along the spoke into my life at key turning points and shaped me significantly. I knew I wanted to positively impact others and that led me into a path of becoming a pastor myself. I was privileged to serve 17 years in pastoral roles.

When I transitioned to the Director of a Leadership Institute role at a private investment firm, I found myself wondering how to share my experience in a relevant way when we would do customary team introductions around the table. As I remind clients often, your uniqueness is a leverage point. Only you can lead as you! Starting as an intern and serving in various roles in a church setting before leaving as an executive pastor taught me many lessons that apply to leadership in every context. It shaped how I view people, connect and care for them, and partner with them for transformational growth. Learning to be an effective communicator on a large platform, leading significant change initiatives across diverse stakeholder needs, understanding how to lead from influence vs power to form strong partnerships are all important lessons for leaders. Navigating your inner world as a leader, practicing awareness of your ego and internal drivers, understanding how your past has shaped your present as a leader in helpful and unhelpful ways were all lessons born from the training and experience of leading in this context. I bring these insights and many more into the partnership with clients. I am extremely grateful for the many ways leading in a nonprofit, church context, shaped me as a leader and gifted me to serve clients. This was also the first setting where I was given the opportunity to lead the board meetings and navigate governance dynamics. Read More…

Partner Testimonials

Hear from executives and organizational leaders who have experienced deep transformation through our strategic partnership.

"Working with Brian in a coaching partnership helped me align my leadership with what God entrusted to me. The impact wasn’t just personal—it brought clarity, confidence, and healthier systems to our organization. Coaching was a wise investment for both me and the church I serve.”

– RT Stringer, Lead Pastor, Villa Baptist Church

"Working with Brian Bennett as my coach has been one of the most impactful investments in my leadership journey. His unique blend of executive experience, practical wisdom, and deep care has consistently challenged me to bring my best self to both work and life. Through our coaching partnership, I’ve gained clarity, confidence, and a renewed sense of purpose that has shaped how I lead and grow."

- Brian Taylor, SVP of Sales

"Working with Brian has deepened my self-awareness, clarified my life goals, and strengthened my leadership. His fresh perspective has helped me navigate challenges, think more broadly, and grow as a leader. Through steady support and accountability, he has encouraged me to stretch beyond my comfort zone and strengthened my confidence in leading."

- Dr. Buddy Perstrope, Senior Pastor

"I have had the pleasure of partnering with Brian as a leadership coach for my professional development and for that of my leadership team for several years. Having an outside coach like Brian is invaluable to me and my organization as often times an external voice can resonate with clarity, objectivity and a neutral perspective to enhance self-awareness within leaders. Utilizing Brian as an outside coach has provided accountability which in turn has created progress. He provides an objective and safe space to help my leaders develop strategic thinking skills and to enhance their communication abilities."

- Mark, Executive Director/Operating Partner

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If my approach resonates with you and you’re serious about elevating your leadership impact, I’d welcome the opportunity to connect. Let’s have a confidential conversation about your leadership journey and explore whether coaching could serve you well.

Connect with Brian

This was the season where I discovered I was gifted most to serve in leadership, coaching, and strategy.  I already had a Master’s of Christian Ministry, but with the insight of discovering more fully how I was uniquely wired to serve and positively impact others, it led me on a journey to a Master’s of Organizational Leadership and then an MBA.  I also completed a strategy certificate at Michigan State University.

 

Then a significant defining moment of transition happened when an invitation came to join two incredible faith-led entrepreneurs who had just started a private investment firm with the goal to create a self-perpetuating philanthropic vision.  I had already sensed a season of change was coming, but didn’t anticipate the fullness of the chapter that was emerging. I knew clearly it was an invitation that I needed to say yes too, even though I couldn’t see the full map of where the path would lead.  I know what it’s like to transition from one sector of work to another. I know what it’s like to have to adapt, be an agile learner and figure out what it takes to thrive in a new environment and role.  I know what it looks like to face your imposter syndrome and insecurities as you enter a new and different space.  That shapes something in you that is ultimately a gift to clients in our partnership.

 

In my work as the director of a leadership institute within the investment firm I serve internal portfolio companies and external clients. I am a board observer for many of these portfolio companies and partner to the CEOs and executive teams.  Working in a startup context is very different. We were a young investment firm working with young investments. That is a completely different context from my previous leadership environments. For 7+ years I have had the privilege of serving in this capacity in the startup sandbox, and during that time I was ultimately invited into the role of Chief Operating Officer. 

 

I was also privileged to serve on multiple non-profit boards through this season and serve as President of Christian Coaches Network International (CCNI). This is the oldest, global member associations of Christian coaches aligned to a non-directive, professional coaching competencies.  CCNI offers accreditation to coach training schools and credentialing to coaches, in addition to professional development events and business building support. I originally served the board as Director of Strategy and then Treasurer, and now in the role of President. 

I bring the experience and perspective of executive leadership in for-profit and non-profit roles to the clients I serve. It shapes my approach differently. It changes the questions I ask and though my client’s paths are different than mine, I instinctively understand the privilege, weight, and opportunity of executive leadership. 

 

I became a coach because I experienced the power of having a coach. I had many certifications at the time in a variety of leadership tools, but the coaching partnership was different. It was transformative. It was empowering. It was elevating in a distinct way. As a certified life and leadership coach, I find it to be an incredible privilege to partner as a friend of leaders. To be in that honored space as their confidant, advisor, and coach, is one of the most fulfilling moments of life.  In so many ways, I discovered I was made for that as my journey unfolded. What a gift it is to experience doing what you love, with what you are skilled at, while meeting a need in the world.

 

A final thought for me is that careers, titles, degrees and everything else that one might chase in their life is not the center.  They are hopefully expressions of living out who we are, how we are wired, and can be positive reflections of that activity.  But, they can also be traps to try to fulfill and satisfy things that they were never meant to satisfy.  Accomplishment can also be reflective of an empty heart and an unfulfilled life.  I know both experiences, and that is why I coach from an inside-out approach, believing that leadership is ontological before it is anything else.  It is also why my deepest treasures are my faith journey and my family. Who I become on the journey is far more important to me than what I accomplish. And how I love those closest to me is of far greater significance to me than any result or accomplishment.  If we work together, I bring an integrated approach to the partnership, believing the most alive version of you is the best gift to those you lead, and also believing  when leaders lead from the inside-out, there is a sustainable alignment and health that can fuel high performance.

 

As a note, I serve values-driven, purpose-driven leaders of various religious perspectives.  I honor them and partner with them in coaching to their highest and best self. I also honor my own faith commitments and values, and I do not coach clients in ways that violate those deepest parts of ourselves.   That is part of the integrity and values-driven nature of my coaching that has been forged deeply over time. I stand on my commitments and I stand with you to stand on yours as you lead, positively impact the various stakeholders involved, and move towards a grander vision.