About Nicole
Dr. Nicole Butts helps people and organizations become who they’re meant to be—by awakening consciousness, summoning courage, and guiding real transformation.
She is a transformational speaker, best-selling author, executive coach, and organizational culture strategist with more than 25 years of experience guiding leaders and teams through powerful, lasting change. As the founder and CEO of NLYB Solutions and creator of the SHIFT Framework™, Nicole supports both organizations and women 40+ in aligning with their highest potential—on purpose, with purpose.
Whether she’s working with C-suite executives or coaching visionary women, Nicole’s approach is grounded in the belief that real transformation starts within. Her SHIFT Framework is a roadmap to becoming who you’re truly meant to be.
With a rare blend of intuitive insight and systems thinking, Nicole is known for her ability to see both the forest and the trees. She listens beyond words, guiding individuals to uncover unspoken truths and align with their highest potential. Whether coaching executives stepping into next-level leadership or supporting women 40+ navigating reinvention, she helps clients bridge the gap between who they are and who they want to become.
Her professional background includes C-suite roles as Chief Diversity Officer, Vice President, and Human Resources Director. She has led inaugural People & Culture offices, developed enterprise-wide culture strategies, and built leadership systems that align culture with performance. Nicole has worked across for-profit and not-for-profit sectors in industries such as healthcare, technology, manufacturing, higher education, and philanthropy.
Nicole is the author of the bestselling SHIFT: A Five-Step Framework for Transforming Organizational Culture and co-author of The New C-Suite: Civil Leadership in Action. Her work reflects a deep belief that leadership and culture must evolve to meet the demands of a more conscious, equitable, and human-centered workplace.
She holds a Doctorate in Organizational Change and Leadership from the University of Southern California, a Master’s in Human Resources Development, and multiple certifications in coaching, strategic HR, and alternative dispute resolution. She’s a trusted advisor to organizations, boards, a soul-stirring guide for women in transition, and a sought-after speaker known for her candor, depth, and clarity.
A lifelong learner and global traveler, Nicole lives in Southern California, with her husband, son, and their beloved big dog. When she’s not transforming cultures or lives, you’ll find her soaking up jazz festivals, or curled up with a good novel.
Nicole’s work reminds us that transformation doesn’t happen by chance—it happens by choice. When people cultivate greater consciousness and lead with courage, they unlock the power to evolve.
Why Clients Choose Nicole:
- Cuts through complexity with strategic clarity
- Translates vision into sustainable action
- Known for truth-telling with compassion
- Delivers lasting personal and cultural transformation
Consciousness + Courage = Transformation.
Let’s SHIFT.
