Leadership is daily work.
ICF-certified executive coach and leadership facilitator, based in Abu Dhabi.
My approach
“Far too often, leadership development stays in the classroom. I am here to help leaders carry it into their daily work and translate it into long‑term business results.”
Sofia Borodulina-Abboud
Services
Who I work with
Inside organisations
Bespoke leadership journeys, coaching and workshops.
One to one
Executive, leadership and career coaching.
With leading academies
Associate facilitator with PwC Academy, Korn Ferry and New Metrics.
Experience
Across industries
I have partnered with leaders from organisations such as:
Technology, media & telecoms
Microsoft, GitLab, Honeywell, Dentsu
Energy & industry
Masdar, Kuwait Oil Company, Enerflex, ista, EDO
Finance & investment
Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Bank Muscat, Alizz Bank
Healthcare, consumer & hospitality
Merck, Nestlé, Accor, Miral
Government & public sector
Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, Dubai Business Women Council
Education
Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, GEMS Education, HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management
In their words
What clients say
Sofia gracefully combines presence, discipline, and improvisation to deliver a coaching experience that inspires insight, confidence & action. I have been extremely impressed by Sofia’s “sixth sense” to probe questions that reveal personal insights that would have gone unnoticed otherwise.
What distinguished Sofia and Sirafima [her co-facilitator] was their ability to translate our business objectives into a comprehensive leadership journey … Their approach was highly tailored, engaging, and directly relevant to the challenges faced by our leadership team.
Working with Sofia is a tremendous valuable experience, due to her structured and knowledgeable approach … an insightful exercise of aligning my ambitions with a path to follow, skills to improve and clear actions to achieve.
Sofia has been instrumental in unlocking my potential by helping me recognize unnoticed behaviors and bringing awareness to different perspectives. … It has been 2 years with Sofia, and it is the best investment in myself.
Sofia’s workshop was not your average training session. She created an atmosphere that encouraged open conversation, personal reflection, and growth. … If you’re searching for an exceptional facilitator who genuinely cares about the participants’ growth and development, I wholeheartedly recommend Sofia.
Sofia is a career coaching professional of a high caliber! … a sharp eye to important nuances in career trajectory thanks to her executive search and recruitment expertise, but also a unique touch of mindfulness and emotional intelligence.
Working with Sofia has been a game-changer. Her approach is a perfect blend of professionalism, warmth, and strategic insight. … She helped refine my CV and LinkedIn profile … highlighting strengths I hadn’t fully valued.
Sofia is an excellent, passionate coach. She makes all the complex concepts accessible and tangible, while always being precise and relevant.
I enjoyed working with Sofia on a project, she is very professional, has strong knowledge and skills, takes her work seriously and carries out the job to a very high standard.
Sofia provided research-backed practical ways to gracefully navigate the startup rollercoaster ride. … Sofia’s workshop offered practical ways to train our brains to adopt resilient behaviours and as such is relevant and current to executives leading teams in uncertainty.
Our members had the pleasure of attending one of her sessions on emotional intelligence, and I must say that she was an outstanding speaker. Her knowledge of the subject matter was evident, and so was her ability to engage with the audience.
Her warmth and support allowed participants to truly open up and form a real community during the course.
Just in one session Sofia helped me a lot. She made me feel heard and understood … her comments on my CV were very thoughtful and kind.
About
Sofia Borodulina-Abboud
As an ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC), I have spent over seven years coaching leaders across the GCC and Europe. My approach is hands‑on and practical. I focus on what works for each person and each business, not just what the textbook says.
A decade in executive search, including as VP and Associate Partner, taught me that organisations stand and fall with the right leaders. I was lucky enough to study at Cornell University, Harvard Business School and Georgetown University, learn four languages and live in six countries. This international experience allows me to connect with leaders from every background.
What drives me is genuine care: for every professional I work with, and for turning their growth into business results. If I cannot add real value, I do not take on the engagement. That is my promise to every client.