Derek Dalton

Coach and facilitator

Derek is a distinguished senior leader, executive coach, board advisor, and mentor with over three decades of service in Australia’s intelligence and security community. Keen to share the benefits of his deep leadership experience, Derek works with senior and new and emerging leaders to empower them to confidently navigate complexity, lead with purpose, and build high-performing, inclusive teams.

Derek’s career has been marked by his leadership of complex operations, building collaborative partnerships, and developing individuals and teams to deliver outstanding operational and strategic outcomes. He is internationally respected for his collaborative leadership and communication skills, and for his ability to mentor and guide leaders through transformational change.

Since leaving the Australian Public Service in 2023, Derek has enjoyed working in coaching and leadership development, achieving success in:

· Coaching leaders to strengthen their strategic thinking, communication, and influencing skills

· Guiding teams to foster inclusive environments that realise the full potential of every team member

· Shaping powerful leadership development conversations focused on values, integrity, and authentic connection

· Mentoring professionals to become collaborative, adaptive leaders who lead with people, respect, and impact at the centre of their leadership journey

Derek works with individuals and teams, supporting them to thrive in today’s complex environment. His coaching style is practical, values-driven, and deeply grounded in experience, helping clients find and expand their authentic leadership voice to positively influence their environment and drive lasting, meaningful change.

On a personal note, Derek is known for his integrity and generosity. He brings a deep curiosity and openness to every coaching engagement, using each conversation as an opportunity to build trust, listen deeply, and support his clients’ growth. Derek is passionate about the role of storytelling in leadership and believes in the power of history to shape future-focused thinking