Education:
- Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) – University of Pennsylvania
- Master of Science in Organization Development (MSOD) – American University
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with Minors in Anthropology and Spanish – University of Miami
- International Coaching Federation Associate Certified Coach (ICF ACC)
- Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach
- Gallup CliftonStrengths Discovery Facilitator
- Certified Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) Practitioner
- Certified Change Management Professional (CCMP) & Prosci Change Management Practitioner
Location: Washington, DC
About Anna
Anna Irani is the founder of The Strengths Guide, a leadership development and coaching firm dedicated to helping individuals and teams unlock their full potential through strengths-based approaches. With expertise in positive psychology and organization development, she partners with organizations to foster growth, engagement, well-being, and high performance.
Anna brings a unique combination of world-class education and experience working with leading global organizations. She earned her Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) from the University of Pennsylvania, the premier master’s program in the world for the science of human flourishing. There, she studied directly under Dr. Martin Seligman, founder of positive psychology, deepening her expertise in evidence-based approaches to leadership, well-being, and performance. She also holds a Master of Science in Organization Development (MSOD) from American University.
Anna has worked with some of the world’s most recognized organizations, applying research-backed strategies to real-world leadership and organizational challenges. As a former full-time Gallup course leader, she was among a select group of experts chosen to co-lead the ICF-accredited Global Strengths Coach course, an intensive program that certifies professionals in the CliftonStrengths framework and core coaching competencies. Through this work, she trained and certified hundreds of coaches, equipping them to build strengths-driven, high-performing cultures. Anna has also led leadership training, executive coaching, and consulting engagements for organizations such as Amazon, Ernst & Young, NIH, and FEMA, serving as a trusted partner in team development, leadership effectiveness, and organizational transformation.
She has designed and delivered workshops and presentations for over 1,000 professionals and students, helping leaders and teams apply strengths-based and leadership development strategies to enhance collaboration, engagement, and performance. A sought-after speaker, Anna has delivered keynotes and guest presentations at industry conferences and universities—including a featured keynote on behalf of Gallup Chairman and former CEO Jim Clifton at a national leadership conference, where she shared insights from It’s the Manager on strengths-based development and workplace performance. She also speaks to university audiences, helping students explore and apply their strengths for personal and professional growth.
Anna’s work is rooted in evidence-based research in psychology, leadership, and well-being. By combining cutting-edge science with hands-on experience, she creates engaging and transformative learning experiences that improve leadership effectiveness, strengthen teams, and support lasting, meaningful growth.