David Ribott offers more than inspiration—he delivers transformational impact rooted in deep expertise, cross-cultural insight, and practical experience. Recognized by The NYC Journal as “Abu Dhabi’s Top CEO Coach” and celebrated as the emirate’s first Master Certified Coach by the International Coaching Federation (ICF), David is also an Advisory Board Member for the Women’s Venture Fund and for Lock & Croft and an Independent Senior Advisor at Heidrick & Struggles. He is also an Executive Education Faculty Member at NYU Abu Dhabi
Raised in the Bronx, David brings an authentic voice shaped by his background as a semi-pro athlete. He holds a Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership from Walden University and has spent much of his career in South Korea and the UAE, holding a variety of posts, from Executive Coach at Samsung Electronics in Seoul to Chief Success Officer at Zayed University in Abu Dhabi. As founder of Ribott Partners, he specializes in conflict resolution and executive coaching in culturally complex environments.
David is also the Former VP of the ICF’s UAE Chapter, and the author of the forthcoming book ‘Informed Leadership’. He was also recently featured on Dubai Eye 103.8, where he explored the concept of “invisible leadership” and the value of stakeholder clarity. At the 5th World Coaching Congress, he was recognised for the ‘100 Best Global Leaders’ Award.
David's talks are thoughtful and steady, designed to turn complex leadership challenges into focused, actionable strategies, prioritizing purpose, performance, and prosperity. With over 7,000 hours of coaching and advisory experience, David has guided more than 200 senior leaders through critical transitions, including IPO readiness, succession planning, cultural transformation, and strategic pivots. His recent seminar and panel at ATD Middle East on leadership, succession, and organizational alignment received strong feedback for its clarity and relevance. He also completed the Chief Strategy Officer Programme for Executive Education at the National University of Singapore. David motivates and equips leaders with the clarity, frameworks, and conviction to lead and succeed.
