Adam

Horner

Adam Horner is on a mission to make CTO coaching a standard, not a luxury. With over 30 years in software development — 10+ as a CTO — he’s seen firsthand how tech leaders struggle to transition from technical expert to strategic executive. It’s a gap he calls the *CTO chasm*, and without the right support, crossing it can take years.

To help CTOs navigate this journey, Adam developed the **CTO Maturity Model** — a framework of nine key areas of competence that helps tech leaders assess where they are today and chart a clear path to the leader they want to become. Unlike generic executive coaches, Adam blends coaching, teaching, and mentoring to create a tailored development journey for each leader he works with. His approach helps CTOs escape fire-fighting mode, align their technology strategy with business goals, and step into confident, assured leadership — without the years of trial and error he went through.

Adam’s journey has taken him across industries, countries, and even mountains — he’s lived and worked internationally, climbed Mont-Blanc at 17, and spent 12 years training in kung fu. These experiences shape his coaching, bringing a unique perspective on resilience, discipline, and the mindset shifts required to lead at the highest level.

He and his wife, Jenine, co-founded their business while raising three kids, so he deeply understands the balancing act of leadership, family, and ambition. That’s why he’s passionate about shifting the narrative around CTO coaching — advocating for it to be an expected part of the role, not just a perk for VC-backed founder-CEOs.

On podcasts, Adam shares real-world leadership insights with engaging storytelling, practical takeaways, and actionable strategies from his CTO Maturity Model. If you’re looking for a guest who speaks directly to the challenges of modern CTOs while bringing a refreshingly human perspective, Adam is the one to call.