About McArthur Executive Development

McArthur Executive Development works from one belief: greatness comes from the inside out. The practice was founded by Dan McArthur, an organizational psychologist based in Portland, Oregon. For more than 30 years he has worked with owners, founders, and executive teams at the point where a business stops growing because the people running it can't see what's in the way. It offers executive coaching, leadership consulting, and leadership training to organizations across the United States, in person and remotely.

Dan McArthur

Founder, CEO

Dan McArthur is an industrial-organizational psychologist with decades of experience helping executives, business owners, and leadership teams navigate complexity, build trust, and get results that last. Blending business acumen with deep psychological insight, he specializes in facilitating high-stakes conversations, resolving leadership challenges, and aligning teams for peak performance.

Dan holds an M.S. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology and an M.Div., a rare combination that lets him bridge strategy, human behavior, and values-driven leadership. His work rests on the conviction that the most successful organizations are built on strong leadership, aligned teams, and cultures of trust and accountability.

Dan has spent 35 years advising business leaders and owners on succession planning, organizational change, and leadership development. His experience guiding family businesses, executive teams, and high-performing professionals through critical transitions and interpersonal challenges makes him a trusted partner for leaders who want their impact to outlast them.

Dr. Cynthia Parker

Psychologist & Executive Consultant

Dr. Cynthia Parker is a clinical psychologist with over 20 years of experience in corporate America, which uniquely positions her to support professionals facing complex organizational and personal challenges. As a trusted advisor to executives and upper-level managers, Dr. Parker specializes in discreet psychological consultation tailored to the high-stakes demands of leadership.

Dr. Parker holds a doctorate in clinical psychology and a degree in business management, so she approaches her work with a deep understanding of both human behavior and the strategic pressures of the corporate world. Her results-based therapeutic methods are customized to each client's goals, building growth and resilience in demanding environments.

Alongside her work with McArthur Executive Development, Dr. Parker owns and operates Vancouver Psychological and Counseling Services, PLLC in Washington, where she has spent more than a decade serving individuals facing a wide range of mental health challenges. In recent years she has focused on supporting impaired professionals, including first responders managing PTSD, with a compassionate yet forensically informed approach.

Her experience spans clinical care, executive consultation, and high-stakes scenarios such as cases involving litigation. That understanding of organizational frameworks and leadership dynamics makes her an invaluable resource for executives seeking to improve their effectiveness and well-being.

Patrick Cahill, growth and exit planning advisor

Patrick Cahill, CEPA®

Growth & Exit Planning Advisor

Patrick Cahill is a business strategist, leadership coach, and fractional CMO with 15 years of experience helping companies grow and scale. He has worked across financial services, e-commerce, fashion, and coaching, guiding businesses through major transitions, team alignment, and brand expansion.

Patrick helps leaders gain clarity on key decisions, growth initiatives, and cultural renewal. As a facilitator and consultant he cuts through complexity, aligns leadership teams, and drives high-impact solutions. His expertise spans both organic and acquisition-led growth: he has led strategic acquisitions, integrated businesses, and navigated a private equity exit, while also building profitable customer acquisition systems, leading global influencer campaigns, and crafting marketing strategies that last.

With a degree in Music and a certification in Organizational Leadership from Harvard Business School Online, Patrick brings a creative, people-first approach to business, helping organizations navigate change, strengthen teams, and reach their full potential.

Savannah Pachl

Coaching & Training Specialist

Savannah Pachl is an Industrial & Organizational Psychology–informed consultant who advises leaders and organizations on building aligned teams, resilient cultures, and clear paths forward during periods of growth and change. With more than seven years working alongside executives, boards, and cross-functional stakeholders, she brings a thoughtful, data-informed approach that blends behavioral science, systems thinking, and practical execution.

Her work helps leaders clarify priorities, improve decision-making, and design people systems that support performance and long-term sustainability. Savannah is known for translating complex information into clear, actionable insight, facilitating focused dialogue across stakeholders, and building trusted partnerships grounded in integrity, openness, and growth.

Her consulting is reinforced by advanced graduate training in Industrial & Organizational Psychology, grounding the work in evidence-based frameworks for leadership effectiveness, decision-making, and organizational systems. With a particular focus on succession planning, she applies I-O psychology to help organizations identify and develop future leaders, reduce transition risk, and strengthen leadership continuity through objective assessment, role clarity, and intentional development.

Alex Smirnoff

Administration

Alex is an experienced administrator with a background in the medical field and a passion for helping others. Known for her organization and warm approach, Alex works to create a supportive and efficient environment. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with family, traveling, and unwinding with a good book or video game.

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