History: 2009-2010: Global Coaching Perspectives

ICF continued to grow around the world and reflect more globally diversity in our membership and our leadership. We also examined the global awareness of coaching among consumers for the first time.  

2009 – Growing Global Perspectives and Reach 

Marking a major global milestone, Karen Tweedie, MCC, who is from Australia, served as the first global board president from outside of North America. We saw significant membership growth in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and South America, with total representation in more than 95 countries and territories worldwide. Additionally, we expanded our online presence through the launch of social media outlets. 

2009 ICF Global Board Chair Karen Tweedie on stage, speaking to audience at 2009 ICF Global Conference.

2010 – 15 Years Strong: ICF by the Numbers 

In just 15 years, ICF had become the leader in the profession, experiencing unprecedented growth. Even compared to just five years prior, membership nearly doubled, and the number of credential-holders increased by 600% since 2005. 

• ICF Chapters: 140 in 50+ countries and territories. 

• ICF Members: 17,000+ in 100+ countries and territories.  

• ICF Credential-holders: 7,000 in 70+ countries and territories.  

2010- Measuring the Awareness of Coaching 

Continuing our role in providing groundbreaking industry research, we released the Global Consumer Awareness Study to show the worldwide reach of coaching for the first time since the profession’s inception nearly two decades ago. The research was commissioned by ICF and conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Since 2010, three follow-up studies have been published — the results of which have shown that people around the world are increasingly becoming aware of coaching.