ICF History

Thomas Leonard, with support of others, founded the International Coach Federation (ICF) in the United States for the purpose of having a space for all coaches to support one another and grow a credible profession.

ICF launched its first chapters, pioneering global support for local coaching communities, alongside other key "firsts" like our first president, board, newsletter, and annual conference.

By the late 1990s, ICF established itself as the global coaching standard through a merger with PPCA, creation of core competencies, credentialing, a code of ethics, and accreditation of training programs, solidifying our leadership in the coaching profession.

Between 2000-2005, ICF’s global membership tripled in size. We transitioned to our now-current management company, which opened new avenues of support for us to expand our global offerings, continue raising professional standards, and introduce an award recognizing impactful coaching programs in organizations.

To explore and meet a number of emerging demands, ICF released the Global Coaching Study, established a regional staff structure, and created a board of trustees for the ICF Foundation.

ICF welcomed our first global board president from outside North America, marking a significant milestone that reflected our increasingly global membership from 95+ countries. To better understand the demand for the growing number of practitioners worldwide, we released research that delved into the global consumer awareness of coaching.

ICF has consistently demonstrated its commitment to monitoring trends and shaping the coaching industry. Between 2012 and 2014, we took pivotal strides to elevate our profession by implementing membership eligibility requirements and conducting groundbreaking research on the effectiveness of coaching cultures.

In 2015, ICF celebrated its 20th anniversary with a renewed focus on the international community and impact. Over the next few years, we launched the ICF Global Leaders Forum and ICF Converge, aligned the ICF Foundation with global progress goals, and updated the ICF Core Competencies and Code of Ethics for modern coaching professionals.

In our 25th anniversary year, ICF rebranded as the International Coaching Federation, evolving into a comprehensive ecosystem of six organizations to better serve the coaching community. Despite the global COVID-19 pandemic, our community continued to grow, and we provided resources to help coaches and clients through this unprecedented time.

During 2021-2022, we aimed to create a more inclusive and impactful coaching landscape. Key initiatives included demonstrating the social ROI of coaching, launching a DEIB department, releasing our first research snapshot on contemporary issues, evolving our accreditation model, and achieving new membership milestones.

The inaugural ICF Coaching Impact Awards recognized coaches and organizations that are improving workplaces and lives, while a new certification in team coaching established vital standards in this growing discipline. We also celebrated a new milestone of 50,000 credential-holders living and working in 140+ countries and territories.

ICF has always been — and always will be — focused on advancing coaching. In our 30th year, we are undergoing a significant transformation to embrace a new era of coaching excellence.