About Michael
Michael Wertheim spent 18 years building businesses in the media industry — as a General Manager, COO, and Chief People Officer at organizations including The New York Times, National Geographic, Entertainment Weekly, Atlantic Media, Fatherly, Apartment Therapy Media, and Upworthy. He has worked with startups, mid-sized companies, and large enterprises and has advised and consulted with founders and senior leaders at dozens of organizations.
Throughout that career, Michael was consistently recognized not just for his operational and business results, but for his leadership — specifically, his ability to source, recognize, and develop talent, to coach leaders through difficult moments, and to build teams and cultures that brought out the best in people.
Eventually, he decided to focus on that exclusively.
Wertheim Leadership Services
Today, Michael leads Wertheim Leadership Services, a boutique practice that brings 25 years of operating experience to three interconnected areas: executive coaching for mid-career leaders navigating change, fractional and advisory people leadership for growth-stage companies, and talent and recruiting for organizations that need to get their most important hires right.
The common thread across it all is people — understanding them, developing them, putting them in the right roles, and building organizations where they can do their best work.
Credentials
MBA, Stanford Graduate School of Business
AB, Magna Cum Laude, Harvard College
ICF and CTI-certified executive coach
Leadership Circle Profile certified practitioner
Head, Stanford GSB Alumni Pride — New York Chapter
On a personal note
Michael is a native New Yorker, a three-time triathlete, a cancer and long covid survivor, and an entertainment omnivore. He is always happy to talk about what you're watching, reading, or listening to — in addition to what you're building.