Portland roster grows to three rigorously vetted, proven coaches
PORTLAND, August 25, 2026 — The Women Leaders Association, the largest publisher and events organization for women professionals with 43,000 members and more than 130 chapters, today named Lara Anderson a Coaching Partner of its Portland chapter, bringing the chapter's roster of vetted coaches to three.
Under the association's Coaching Partners program, every coach is vetted for recognized credentials, verifiable experience, and excellent client reviews before appearing on a chapter site, so members can engage with confidence.
Anderson partners with leaders at pivotal moments of growth — stepping into greater responsibility, navigating change or complexity, or leading through a season of transition. An Executive Leadership Coach, she brings nearly three decades of experience in human resources, talent, and leadership development, including 28 years at Nike. There, she coached emerging and senior leaders, led global leadership programs spanning the U.S., Europe, Southeast Asia, and China, helped create Nike's first week-long global manager development program, and earned the Bowerman "Remember the Man" Award for impact and innovation in talent strategy.
Today, through Leadership Collective, Anderson partners with executives, emerging leaders, teams, and organizations to navigate the human side of leadership — courage, clarity, trust, and intentionality. An ICF PCC, Hudson Institute Certified Executive Coach, SPHR, and Certified Dare to Lead™ Facilitator with Harvard Business School executive education, she has a particular passion for helping women grow their confidence, voice, and impact while creating meaningful, sustainable success.
"The leaders I coach are often at the moments that matter — stepping into greater responsibility, navigating a pivotal decision, or leading through a season of change," said Anderson. "Throughout my career, I've seen that the human side of leadership is what carries leaders through those moments."
"During her 28-year career at Nike, Lara helped develop leaders preparing for greater responsibility and enterprise impact," said Lydia Price, 2026 Volunteer Chair. "Her specialty is the pivotal moment — exactly where our members most want a proven partner beside them."
Anderson joins LauraLynn Jansen and Steph Saffer on the Portland chapter's roster. Members can view her profile and book a complimentary 30-minute discovery conversation through the chapter's coaching page at:
https://PortlandWomenLeaders.org/CoachLaraAnderson