Involved with: Atlanta Jewish Women’s Fund
Passionate about: People, community, growth, psychology
Loves: Reading, learning new things, travel, jewelry making
barbara Leahy | Chief Growth Officer
Barbara Leahy is an executive coach and leadership development expert with over three decades of experience helping senior leaders navigate complexity, deepen self-awareness, and lead with clarity and impact.
As the founder of Leadership Growth Partners, she partners with executives and teams to create meaningful, lasting change—bringing a balance of candid insight and thoughtful challenge. Her work is especially valuable during pivotal moments, including leadership transitions, shifting team dynamics, and periods of organizational change.
Known for her warm yet inclusive coaching style, Barbara creates trusted, non-judgmental spaces where leaders can step back, reflect, and expand their effectiveness. She has worked with clients from organizations such as Chick-fil-A, Aflac, Wellstar, SunTrust, and Georgia Power, supporting them through leadership transitions, culture shifts, and complex team environments.
Barbara’s approach is grounded in the belief that sustainable leadership starts within. She helps clients uncover blind spots, shift ingrained patterns, and move from high achievement to truly impactful leadership. A certified MBTI® Master Practitioner and lifelong learner, she draws on deep expertise in psychology, team development, and organizational behavior.
Before founding Leadership Growth Partners in 2018, Barbara led client development at Life-Long Leadership and held multiple HR and training roles at The Home Depot—experience that gives her a practical, grounded understanding of the realities leaders face inside organizations.
A longtime Atlanta resident and graduate of Kennesaw State University, Barbara is also committed to giving back, partnering with nonprofit and philanthropic organizations to support their growth and impact.
Outside of her work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, as well as making jewelry and exploring creative pursuits.
Involved with: Linworth Road Church, Grove City Christian School
Passionate about: Children, serving others
Loves: Family, scrapbooking
Sarah Garmen | Executive assistant
As the Executive Assistant for Leadership Growth Partners, Sarah plays a central role in ensuring the seamless execution of both client engagement and internal operations. She oversees all aspects of the firm’s day-to-day business functions—including scheduling, client coordination, financial management, and contracts—bringing structure, consistency, and attention to detail that enable the team to operate at a high level.
Beyond operations, Sarah is deeply involved in supporting the overall client experience. She works behind the scenes to ensure engagements run smoothly from start to finish, serving as a steady point of coordination and communication for both clients and the LGP team. Her ability to anticipate needs, solve problems proactively, and manage multiple priorities makes her an essential partner in delivering high-quality, professional service.
Prior to her work in the Leadership Development field, Sarah was an educator, serving students with special needs as an Intervention Specialist. In this role, she instructed students based on individual needs, developed Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), and collaborated closely with parents, teachers, and therapy staff to create supportive and effective learning environments. Sarah also served on her school’s Intervention Assistance Team, developing targeted strategies and coordinating support to help students overcome academic and behavioral challenges.
Sarah earned her Bachelor’s degree in Special Education from Bowling Green State University and her Master’s in Education and Allied Professions from the University of Dayton.
She and her family live in Columbus, Ohio. Outside of work, she enjoys serving her community through her church and son’s football team. When not watching her youngest son compete in something, she enjoys spending time with her family, scrapbooking, and outdoor activities.
In LovInG MemOry: OLIVER | lgp’s fluffiest mascot
Oliver was the resident pup of the LGP office. He specialized in being adorable, taking afternoon naps in the sun, and prancing around like he owned the place. He loved people and found particular joy in getting chased in circles by his friends.
An advocate of growth, Oliver was committed to uplifting others as they walked their own journeys, providing support in the form of cuddles and cuteness as well as the occasional barks of encouragement until his passing in April 2026.