Brian Duff PhD, CPCC, ACC
Founder & Principal, Cusp of Change
Standing with you at the edge of what is next
Hi, I’m Brian
I created Cusp of Change to walk beside people in the in-between, those threshold moments when something inside is ready to shift even though the path still feels foggy.
I am a coach, facilitator, and scientific leader who helps individuals and teams unlock their potential, reconnect to their strengths, and move forward with clarity and purpose.
My Journey to the
Cusp
I grew up in Dublin, Ireland, the middle of 3 kids. For most of my childhood, I dreamed of being a science teacher. That path evolved when, near the end of my undergraduate degree, I had the opportunity to pursue a Ph.D. in the life sciences - which I completed in 2011.
Since then, I built a global career leading programs and teams across academia, drug development, and biotech. I supported scientific communities, designed education initiatives, and led people across disciplines and cultures.
But alongside those milestones, I was also navigating deeply personal transitions: immigrating to Vancouver, grieving the loss of both my parents, and finding the love of my life.
There were times I lost sight of my own strength - stuck in cycles of self-doubt, comparison, and uncertainty. But I’ve come to see those moments not as detours, but as turning points. As cusps.
Now, I bring both lived experience and professional expertise into every conversation - walking with others through the discomfort of change and into the possibility of what’s next.
My Journey into
Coaching
Throughout my life and career, people often came to me when they were struggling, stuck, or searching for clarity. I’ve always had a natural ability to listen deeply, create calm in the chaos, and offer support without judgment. My empathy, intuition, and kindness were never skills I trained - they’ve always been a part of who I am.
Over time, I came to see that these qualities weren’t just helpful - they were essential. They allowed me to hold space for others in moments of uncertainty, to ask the right questions, and to help people see the strength they’d forgotten they had.
Coaching felt like a natural extension of who I was. It gave structure and purpose to what had always come instinctively. So I followed that calling and began formal training with the Co-Active Training Institute - and never looked back.
Coaching isn’t something I do. It’s how I move through the world. It’s the space I hold, the energy I bring, and the way I choose to lead.
Credentials
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Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) - Co-Active Training Institute (CTI)
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Holds ACC credential (International Coaching Federation)
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Official SDI 2.0 Partner & Facilitator
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Ph.D. in Cell Biology - TUD Dublin
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15 + years in global scientific leadership, team development, and education
I am the catalyst that enables people on the cusp of a change to deepen their fulfillment and embody their maximum potential.
Purpose
Partners
At Cusp of Change Coaching, I choose to partner with practitioners who bring deep rigor, warmth, and real craft to leadership development.
I am proud to collaborate with Michelle Robindell, PCC (Founder of Ripple Effect Consulting & Coaching). While we lead independent practices, we come together intentionally to co-create and facilitate bespoke programming. Combining our distinct domains of expertise allows us to challenge each other and deliver richer, more holistic outcomes for complex teams. This strategic partnership ensures our clients receive an extraordinary level of care, strategy, and sustainable impact.
Michelle is a seasoned executive coach and leadership consultant with over 17 years of experience and 1,400+ coaching hours. She specializes in co-creating bespoke leadership programs, executive team coaching, and organizational change across tech, biotech, natural resources, healthcare, and the public sector.
Certified in Dare to Lead™, Systemic Team Coaching, CoreStrengths (SDI), and ProSci Change Management, Michelle blends deep strategic rigor with grounded authenticity to help leaders and complex teams navigate growth with clarity and confidence.
Michelle Robindell, PCC, CPCC, ATC
