Zithobile (Zitty) Nxumalo, Ph.D.

Executive Leadership Coach

Book Dr. Z

Dr. Zithobile "Zitty" Nxumalo is an executive leadership coach, consultant, and educator specializing in communication, emotional intelligence, and authentic leadership. She is the founder and CEO of Deftable, LLC, a consultancy that provides group facilitation and leadership coaching to high impact organizations, locally and globally.

Professional Background & Coaching

Dr. Nxumalo was certified as a coach through Center for Creative Leadership (CCL). Her professional reach extends across diverse sectors, including higher education, healthcare, nonprofit, and finance. She has worked with a high-profile client list that includes:

  • United Nations

  • National Football League (NFL)

  • DoorDash

  • Syngenta

  • Salisbury Police Department

  • University of Washington’s International Program in Public Health Leadership (IPPHL)

Sales & Finance

In 2017, Dr. Nxumalo was recruited to Northwestern Mutual and became the first woman in the Greensboro office to hit Pacesetter 40, a sales and productivity milestone for new financial representatives. Her relational strengths were enhanced while successfully navigating this high pressure, commission driven environment. Today, she utilizes the skills learned at Northwestern Mutual to coach clients working in fast-paced, male-dominated cultures. Dr. Nxumalo’s approach supports those wanting to better understand the motives, strategies, and potential pitfalls of their highly ambitious counterparts. 

Education & Academic Career

Dr. Nxumalo has served as a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Wake Forest University and has taught at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG), North Carolina A&T State University, and Guilford Technical Community College. Her academic credentials include:

  • Ph.D. in Leadership Studies from North Carolina A&T State University.

  • M.A. in Communication Studies from UNC Greensboro.

  • B.S. in Business Management from Guilford College.

Creative & Community Engagement

Beyond her corporate work, "Dr. Z" is deeply involved in the arts and community advocacy:

  • Dance: She is a co-founder of Zodwa Dance Co., an Afro-fusion dance company for women of color that emphasizes holistic wellness and leadership. She previously performed with the E. Gwynn Dance Company of NC A&T State University for over 15 years.

  • Media: She hosts The Ukuvusa Podcast, which explores themes of human transformation and "awakening."

  • Writing: As a freelance writer, her work has appeared in publications such as O. Henry Magazine, HuffPost, Forbes, and Triad City Beat.

Early Life & Recognition

Originally born in Swaziland (now Eswatini) in Southern Africa, Dr. Nxumalo moved to Greensboro, North Carolina, at the age of four. Her early experiences as an immigrant heavily influenced her focus on human behavior, resilience, and belonging. Her contributions have been recognized with honors such as the Triad Business Journal’s 40 Leaders Under 40 (2016) and the Leadership Greensboro Service Medal (2021).