When traditional MBAs and executive programs fall short of providing solutions for professionals in transition, Ilana Golan's Leap Academy is making waves by revolutionizing professional education. Golan, an engineer turned entrepreneur, has built an innovative platform that not only equips professionals with the tools to leap forward in their careers but also challenges the very foundation of traditional learning pathways.
"We realized that professional education wasn't keeping pace with the world we live in today. Professionals need more than theory—they need actionable strategies and results now," she shares.
Launched in 2020, Leap Academy is not just coaching—it's a transformative platform designed to help individuals meet their goals faster and more effectively than traditional routes. In just four years, Leap Academy has already impacted thousands of professionals across four continents, with clients collectively generating over $80 million through promotions, salary negotiations, and business ventures.
Golan notes, "Our approach isn't just about career advancement. It's about shaking up the status quo and delivering a, engineered platform that gives tools for reaching all types of professional goals."
Leap Academy offers a holistic approach to professional education, focusing on leadership, career transitions, personal branding, and personal growth. But Golan believes the real difference is in meeting professionals where they are and rapidly propelling them toward their goals.
"People come to us at different stages in their careers—whether they're looking for a promotion, switching industries, or starting their own business—and we guide them through a process that helps them gain clarity, confidence, and winning strategies that work in the world of work today" Golan explains.
Unlike traditional executive education, Leap Academy is engineered to get fast results. Their recipe is a proprietary blend of a very proven engineered approach combined with unique strategies, mindset coaching, personal branding, and leveraging a vast network of professionals to unlock doors for career opportunities.
"What we do that's different is not just give people skills but help them fully own their story and their value. When that happens, everything changes," says Golan.
The success stories emerging from Leap Academy are truly impressive. Clients have secured top positions at companies like Google, Facebook, T-Mobile, and Salesforce, while others have launched successful ventures, raised millions in capital, and even sold their businesses. The academy's impact is felt not only by the individuals it serves but also by the companies and industries they influence.
"I'm proud that our clients are creating ripples that go beyond their personal success. They become a part of the network helping others make the leap," Golan adds.
Once you join Leap Academy, you're part of a vast network that extends far beyond the typical boundaries of professional coaching.
"The connections our clients make in Leap have opened doors to partnerships, job opportunities, and lifelong friendships. It's a holistic approach, and that's why it works," Golan shares.
Leap Academy started from a low point in Golan's own career. After years of success in tech and venture capital, including a stint as the first female commander in charge of F-16 pilot training in the Israeli Air Force, Golan experienced a major career setback when a co-founder took over her startup, leaving her with nothing.
"It was devastating," she recalls. "But it forced me to ask myself: How do you rebuild from the ground up? How do you reinvent yourself? That moment of crisis became the foundation for Leap Academy."
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Leap Academy was just gaining momentum. Golan admits she wasn't sure how the academy would survive a global crisis that led to massive job losses and economic uncertainty. But she also knew this was when people needed Leap the most.
"We decided to offer our services for free to corporations like Lyft that were laying off employees. It was a risk, but I knew that we had to do things differently," she explains.
That risk paid off and helped launch Leap Academy, eventually earning accolades like the Inc. 5000's Fastest Growing Company in America and the Titan Business Award for Best Coaching Program. Golan herself was awarded the Gold by CEO World.
Golan is determined to continue disrupting the professional education landscape.
"We're not just competing with MBAs—we're replacing them. Traditional programs are too slow for today's fast-moving world. We need education that's nimble, personal, and gets results fast," she says.
Leap Academy is positioning itself as the go-to solution for professionals looking to stay relevant.
"People don't need more theory or case studies. They need the confidence, the strategy, and the connections to take their careers to the next level," Golan states.
For more information, visit leapacademy.com.
