Wayland Lum brings deep expertise in executive development and organizational performance, with a focus on advising private equity investors and the operating executives who drive value in their portfolio companies. As Founder of Copperbox, Wayland partners with growth-oriented leadership teams to accelerate transformation, build scalable organizational infrastructure, and unlock enterprise value. He works primarily with lower middle market and middle market investors, including PE-backed businesses across healthcare, telecom, industrials, manufacturing, and technology.
Known for combining behavioral science with commercial acumen, Wayland helps leaders clarify strategic priorities, scale their impact, and navigate critical moments of inflection. His bespoke development approach is designed to elevate C-suite performance and align leadership outcomes with investor expectations. He also drives AI-enabled leadership development solutions that combine human and technology to deliver measurable value to clients.
Prior to founding Copperbox, Wayland was a key member of Korn Ferry’s CEO and Executive Development practice, where he advised Fortune 500 executives and led global engagements focused on executive assessment, succession, and enterprise-wide leadership development. His clients have included senior leaders at Abbvie, Nike, Deloitte, John Deere, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, and State Farm, as well as portco executives at Platte River Equity, Kohlberg & Company, and Oxford Capital Group. Wayland brings a nuanced, cross-cultural perspective to leadership, with global experience spanning work and residency in China, the UK, and Mexico.
Wayland has led executive career development for top talent at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business’ Executive MBA Programs in North America and Europe. He is a guest lecturer at Columbia University’s Human Capital Management Program and has been a featured presenter on Future-fit Leadership Teams at Platte River Equity’s Annual Senior Executive Conference. Additionally, Wayland serves on the board of Explore Austin, an organization committed to providing underprivileged youth access to mentorship and leadership development through outdoor adventure.
Wayland holds an MBA from Baruch College and an M.S. in Learning and Organizational Change from Northwestern University. He is a certified coach through the Coaches Training Institute (CTI) and a certified Wilderness First Responder through the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). He is fluent in Spanish.
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