Coaching for Leaders who want to thrive, not just survive

A circular logo with a starburst design in the center. The text reads "BRILLIANCE BY DESSIGN" around the top and "DAVID WAVERU" at the bottom.

Leadership is more than performance

It’s a journey toward authenticity, alignment, and legacy. If you’re ready to lead with clarity, courage, and balance, you’re in the right place

It’s not just about hitting KPIs or scaling fast.

It’s about:

  • Leading with inner clarity and confidence

  • Aligning values with strategy

  • Creating impact that lasts—and transforms others along the way

Through executive coaching, I empower leaders to unlock insight, get in sync with their true north, and shine brighter in their lives, businesses, and communities.

Logo with text 'Brilliance by Design' and 'David Waweru' around a starburst design.

I coach through a simple but transformative process

Explore. Align. Amplify.

This is the foundation of The Thryve Model™, a values-driven coaching journey designed to help leaders move with clarity and momentum in every season.

Why trust me?

Over 25 years at the crossroads of cultural entrepreneurship, global policy, coaching, and research, I’ve guided changemakers—from first-time founders to globe-spanning leaders.

  • Builder of enterprises with global acclaim

  • Inaugural inductee, Kenya Publishers Hall of Fame

  • Certified Executive Coach & Leadership Mentor

  • Contributor to UNESCO and international cultural policy

  • Adviser to governments and leading global organizations

But more than titles and honours, I’ve walked through doubt, burnout, and reinvention myself—lived the pivot and powered others through theirs.

A man in a suit and tie with glasses speaking at a podium, with a microphone and a background of colorful flowers.

Organisations I have worked with

Seal of USAID, an organization under the United States Agency for International Development, featuring a handshake above a shield with stars and stripes.
A beige and black logo with a stylized child holding hands above the text 'Save the Children'.
Logo of the Association for the Development of Education in Africa, featuring a stylized map of Africa with the acronym ADE in the center.
Logo for the Education Development Center with black and beige background and stylized black letters EDC.
A graphic featuring the word 'ACOM' in large, bold, cream-colored letters on a black background.
Logo of the Department for International Development with the abbreviations DFID and the full name spelled out.
Text reading 'Henrich Boll Stiftung' in beige color on a black background.
UNESCO logo with a black and beige color scheme and textured background.
Uni.png
Seal of USAID with a handshake illustration in the center, encircled by text reading 'United States Agency for International Development'.
A stylized graphic of a child with arms raised, surrounded by a circular shape, with the text "Save the children" below.
UNESCO logo with a stylized building and the word 'unesco' in bold letters.
Logo of the Education Development Center with letters EDC on a split background, beige on the left and black on the right, with the full name in smaller text.
Close-up of the large text logo 'ACECOM' in beige color on a black background.
Logo of the Association for the Development of Education in Africa featuring a stylized map of Africa and two human profiles with the acronym ADEAA.
Text image featuring the name Henrich Boll Stiftung in large capital letters.
Logo of the Department for International Development with the acronym DfID and the full name.
Bold, large text spelling out "ACCOM" in beige color on a black background.
Logo of the Department for International Development, with the initials DfID in large letters and the full name on the right.
Uni.png
Seal of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) featuring a handshake above a shield with five stars and vertical stripes, surrounded by the text 'United States Agency for International Development'.
A beige graphic of a child with arms raised behind their head inside a circle, with the text "Save the children" underneath.
Text graphic displaying 'Henrich Boll Stiftung' in large, bold letters.
UNESCO logo featuring a stylized black temple on a beige background with the text 'unesco' in lowercase over a black rectangular background.
Logo of the Education Development Center, with a beige and black background, featuring the acronym EDC and the full name written to the right.
Uni.png

My Signature Method:
The Thryve Model™

I created the Thryve Model™ to guide change makers from insight to impact—blending rigorous discovery with real-world action. This three-phase journey equips you to uncover your true strengths, harmonize strategy and purpose, and project your influence with unstoppable momentum.

Explore

Illuminate your “WHY”

Surface your core values, strengths, and aspirations through targeted diagnostics andreflective exercises.

Translate data and feedback into a vivid vision that guides every decision.

Align

Orchestrate your strategy

Fuse your newly uncovered insights with concrete goals, habits, and roadmaps.

Leverage focused coaching sprints and peer-driven accountability to keep every action insync with your purpose.

Amplify

Project your impact

Activate your plan with high-leverage tactics—whether it’s leading teams, launching initiatives, or influencing policy.

Track traction, iterate fast, and build the reputation and legacy you envisioned.

This isn’t just a framework—it’s your personal engine for sustainable excellence. By moving in harmony with your deepest drivers, you don’t just lead...you thrive!

What can you expect?

A mirror for your leadership. Revealing your strengths and illuminating blind spots like a clear pool reflecting both light and shadow.

Values-to-vision alignment. Forging your core beliefs into a strategic compass that guides every decision.

Renewed clarity, calm, and energy. Like dawn breaking through storm clouds, bringing fresh light and revitalized purpose.

Unshakeable confidence. Grounded in decisive action, you’ll move forward with the surety of a mountain rooted against the wind.

A sanctuary for growth. A safe harbour where honest reflection meets bold action, and your most ambitious goals take flight.

Step into our forge of transformation and emerge tempered for greatness!

Forge your excellence

Unlock clarity, alignment, and impact with The Thryve Model™.

Book your free 15-minute discovery call with David.
No cost, no commitment—and walk away with your first action step.


Or connect on LinkedIn for ongoing insights and conversation.