ICF 30th Anniversary Features
To honor the past 30 years of passion and commitment, we are featuring impactful people and moments from ICF’s legacy.
What is your favorite memory with ICF?
My favorite memory is actually a series of experiences I’ve had in the work of growing coaching and developing the ICF. Particularly the amazing coaching conferences that we have had over the last three decades. There is nothing like meeting with many coaches face-to-face, enjoying global partnering in bringing this thing called ‘coaching’ to the world! It is invigorating, inspiring and joyful. I’m looking forward to continuing these connections each year at conferences and various other volunteer connections with my peers. — Pamela Richarde, MCC (United States)
Pamela Richarde is a Master Certified Coach and has been in the coaching industry for over 32 years. Even considering her long legacy in the profession, her impact on the industry is outsized. A founding member of the ICF, Pamela’s [influence] is engrained in the fabric of our organization. She partnered in the creation of ICF’s core coaching competencies, served as President of ICF in 2006, and has currently just completed her commitment as Vice Chair of the ICF Coaching Education Global Board of Directors.
She also contributes to the coaching community as a trainer, speaker, assessor and facilitator, contributing significantly to curriculum, design, standards and systems development for coaching and coach training in multi-cultural environments across the globe.
What makes you most optimistic about the future of coaching?
Coaching is a movement shaping a more conscious, connected future. Those who will embrace it, will feel its ripple effects. What continues to excite me most is the way it’s been a strong catalyst of change. Countless success stories out there indicate there is a collective growth impact which is profound. I am optimistic it shall only multiply. — Paras Daithanka, MCC (India)
For over 15 years, Paras has been helping to transform the coaching industry and guide it into the future. Through his firm, Matrrix, and through his reach as an influencer in the coaching space, Dr. Paras has empowered and inspired coaching clients and future coaches, helping to continue the impact of the industry and spread the word of the gold standard of coaching.
In recognition of these significant contributions, Paras was selected as a 2018 ICF Young Leader Honoree, which celebrates coach practitioners under the age of 40 who are poised to lead ICF and the coaching profession into the future.
As coaching and ICF have evolved over the decades, what stands out to you most?
The most significant change has been in the perception of the industry. When I first encountered a coach in 1994, I asked “which sport?” My early career focused on addressing similar misconceptions and demonstrating value. Over time, we were recognized as strategic partners for growth and development. Today, our work is embraced by leaders worldwide and we continue to evolve through technology, empowering others in new and meaningful ways. — Judy Feld, MCC (United States)
Not only was Judy Feld a founding member and first president of the North Texas Chapter in 1995, but she was also one of the first 20 coaches to receive the designation of ICF Master Certified Coach (MCC) in 1998. In 2003, she served as the ICF Global Board Chair. In 2017 Judy Feld received the first Distinguished Service Award from the ICF-North Texas chapter. In 2018 she was inducted into the inaugural ICF Global Circle of Distinction.
Judy had more than twenty years of business experience prior to her coaching career. This included serving as vice-president of AMR Information Services (American Airlines) and living and working in Paris. Judy led a team that helped to envision future uses of technology and deliver it to a global markets. Today, Judy coaches executives, entrepreneurs, managers, and business teams all over the world. She has vast experience working with technology leaders and female executives, and pioneered the development of group and team coaching. She is counted among many coaches as a mentor.
