David L.
Co-Founder & Managing Director at First Principles First
Canada - 4:13 AM local time
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I advise founders and senior leaders on three things: what to do next, what to stop doing, and how to bring people with you when you do it.

I’m the founder & CEO of CoachFinder, a curated executive coaching platform, and Horizon Search, a venture studio at the intersection of media, AI, and human performance. Across these, I help leaders navigate inflection points like rapid scaling, reinvention, succession, and major career or company pivots.

Earlier in my career, I led cross-cultural programs for more than 1,000 clients across Japan and greater Asia and helped design products that were featured in Forbes Japan. I’ve also worked with board-level leaders, including former prime ministers, defence officials, UN diplomats, and senior executives at global firms. That background shapes how I think about leading diverse teams and building trust across cultures.

Clients usually come to me when they’re smart, busy, and stuck on a decision that actually matters. In a 30–60 minute session, we’ll map the real problem, pressure-test your options, and leave you with a simple decision frame, clear tradeoffs, and concrete next steps.

Work Experience
Founder & CEO
CoachFinder.ai
Full Time
Jun 2025 - Present
10 mos
Co-Founder & Managing Director
First Principles First
Jan 2024 - Present
2 yrs 3 mos
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Education
The University of British Columbia
Master of Business Administration - MBA
Strategic Management
Copenhagen Business School
International Summer Program ISUP Organizational Leadership
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Skills
Cross-Cultural Communication
Virtual Team Leadership
Career Coaching
Career & Professional Development
Business & Leadership
Guidance and Expertise Provided

I coach because I’ve seen firsthand how working with the right coach makes the before and after feel like night and day. Coaching widens your perspective, increases your sense of agency, and helps you turn ambition into clear decisions and follow through. I work with founders and leaders on strategy, transitions, and leadership so they can grow without burning out. I bring a mix of strategy and real-world founder experience and I’m comfortable in high-pressure, high-stakes environments.

Expertise Areas

Career

Creative Entrepreneurship
Building and Maintaining Professional Networks
Career Change after 40
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Guidance and Expertise Needed
I’m building and scaling a portfolio of ventures (CoachFinder.ai, Horizon Search, FP1). I’m looking for experienced operators to help me sharpen enterprise go-to-market, fundraising, and leadership at scale while avoiding burnout. I value direct feedback, pattern recognition, and help prioritizing what to focus on over the next 12 to 24 months.
Areas of Guidance Needed

Business

Business Development
Business Strategy
Building and Leading Startups
Entrepreneurship Coaching
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