Todd Douds

For founders and CEOs committed to building something great — not just managing what they have — Todd Douds is the partner they’ve been looking for. He spent twelve years at a growing wealth management firm, rising to Managing Partner and COO, navigating every stage from early-company chaos to the operational discipline that made the business worth building and ultimately worth acquiring. He didn’t read about those challenges. He lived them.

His focus is on leadership teams with a long-term mindset — committed to growing, performing at a higher level, and building a company they’re genuinely proud of. The goal is a business that’s clear on its vision, consistent in execution, and run by a team that doesn’t need the leader in every room. His CFA charter and Master’s in Applied Economics mean clients get a Guide who understands the financial story behind the business, not just the operational one.

Todd came to Pinnacle through years of implementing and customizing business operating systems under real pressure — as an operator who used these tools to solve real problems, not someone who discovered a framework and built a practice around it. For clients who want a partner invested in where they’re going, not just where they are today, that distinction matters.

Coaching has been a constant throughout Todd’s life, from competing on the US Freestyle Ski Team to developing athletes for nearly two decades. He leads with an open mind and a direct hand — creating space for honest debate, then making sure the team walks away with a decision, not just a conversation. He’s based in Chicago with his wife and three children, and works with clients nationally.