How Coaching Is Driving Inclusion Around the Globe: Lessons from Local ICF Chapters

When a group of mothers in Kazakhstan, many of whom had never imagined themselves as entrepreneurs, began meeting with professional coaches, something remarkable happened. Over the course of a few months, they went from feeling isolated and overburdened to writing business plans and launching small ventures.

This program was part of the International Coaching Federation’s (ICF) Chapter DEIB Initiative, a global grant supporting local coaching projects that advance inclusion and impact. From Québec to Kazakhstan to Korea, the initiative shows what happens when grassroots DEIB efforts are nurtured for impact.

Why DEIB Matters in Coaching — and Why Local Action Makes It Real

At its core, coaching is about human potential. It’s about seeing people clearly, meeting them where they are, and helping them move toward where they want to be. But that journey isn’t the same for everyone. Our experiences, identities, and opportunities shape how we show up and what support we need to thrive.

That’s why diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) are essential to coaching. When DEIB is integrated, coaching moves beyond tools and techniques into genuine human connection, deepening trust, empathy, and transformation. DEIB reminds us that coaching isn’t only about achieving goals, but it’s also about co-creating to a more compassionate world.

This idea resonates deeply with ICF’s vision: a world where coaching is integral to transforming societies. Turning that vision into reality requires people to foster change. That’s where ICF chapters come in: They serve as the bridge between global values and local realities, turning the principles of inclusion into everyday practice.

Across our global network, chapters are proving that community-based initiatives can have a powerful ripple effect of expanding access, elevating underrepresented voices, and redefining what belonging looks like in coaching. Programs like the ICF Chapter DEIB Initiative provide a platform for chapters to put these principles into action.

3 Stories of Change and Inclusion

The 2024–2025 ICF Chapter DEIB Initiative invited chapters to turn ideas into action, submitting detailed proposals for projects that advance DEIB in their communities. Thirty chapters applied, and three were selected for their innovation and local relevance:

• The Québec Chapter addressed linguistic inclusivity, supporting English-speaking coaches and clients in a predominantly French-speaking area.
• The Kazakhstan Chapter empowered mothers of children with special needs, a group facing systemic economic and social barriers.
• The Korea Chapter cultivated future coaching leaders by mentoring young professionals and fostering intergenerational learning.

Each chapter approached DEIB through its own cultural lens, tackling local challenges with creativity and compassion. The following sections highlight these inspiring initiatives, showing how locally driven action can redefine what belonging looks like across the ICF community and demonstrate how coaching continues to drive social progress around the world.

The Québec Chapter: Breaking Language Barriers

Language can be a barrier, especially if the primary language of your community isn’t your own. Recognizing the challenges faced by Anglophone coaches and clients in a predominantly Francophone region, the Québec Chapter of ICF launched an initiative to foster inclusion by increasing access to English-language coaching resources, communications, and opportunities.

The chapter took a structured approach to engagement, and a standout feature of the project was adding English as an option to the chapter’s coach-client matching tool. Within nine months, English-language coaching requests more than doubled, making coaching more accessible for clients and creating new business opportunities for English-speaking coaches.

The project also began tracking shifts in chapter demographics. Between November 2024 and March 2025, the percentage of members identifying English as their preferred language grew by nearly 2%. While early, this growth signals the initiative’s potential to reshape the linguistic landscape of the Québec Chapter.

Overall, the project aligns closely with the DEIB grant’s intent, dismantling access barriers, increasing visibility for marginalized language groups, and serving as a model for inclusive practice that other bilingual and multilingual chapters and coaches can follow.

The Kazakhstan Chapter: Empowering Mothers, Strengthening Communities

In Kazakhstan, more than 150,000 families are raising children officially registered with special needs. For many mothers, the demands of caregiving create profound barriers to full-time employment and financial independence, often accompanied by feelings of isolation and overwhelm.

Recognizing these challenges, the Kazakhstan Chapter of ICF partnered with MamaPRO, Chevron, and the Association of Business Women of Kazakhstan to launch Women4Women, a program designed to foster emotional resilience, business skills, and personal agency among mothers of children with special needs.

The initiative brought together 38 women from five cities across Kazakhstan, supported by coaching and mentoring professionals from six countries. The results were remarkable: 100% of participants reported achieving personal or business goals as a direct result of the program.

But the true story goes beyond numbers. Participants reported a stronger sense of leadership, clearer boundaries, reduced psychological strain, and renewed purpose. Some launched new businesses. Others expanded existing ones. One group even co-developed a training program to share their experiences and inspire more women like them.

And the ripple effect is undeniable: families empowered, communities strengthened, and a coaching model that can be adapted globally to support inclusive economic development.

The Korea Chapter: Inspiring the Next Generation of Coaches

Coaching thrives on connection, but for many coaches, especially those just starting their careers, the journey can feel isolating. The Korea Chapter of ICF responded with the “Inspire and Reboot the Future” initiative, designed to bridge that gap for younger members under age 40.

Through the program, participants gained access to educational resources, mentorship, and leadership opportunities, fostering a culture where today’s mentees are poised to become tomorrow’s mentors.

Coordinator Jungyoung Park, MCC, reflected on the impact of the project: “Without this grant, we would have never had the chance to think about young professionals. It became our responsibility and privilege to support them.”

The young professionals involved demonstrated high motivation, a desire to contribute, and readiness to lead. Encouraged by this engagement, the Korea Chapter hopes to expand the initiative, creating more long-term opportunities for professional growth and visibility.

While the program directly supported 11 emerging coaches, its greatest impact was cultural, fostering leadership, collaboration, and a shared appreciation for DEIB as a core chapter value. This initiative positions the Korea Chapter as a model for inclusive coaching development, strengthening connections across generations of coaches.

From Local Impact to Global Inspiration

The stories from Québec, Kazakhstan, and Korea remind us that coaching is more than a profession — it’s a force for empowerment and transformation.

From breaking language barriers and increasing access, to empowering mothers with new skills and confidence, to mentoring the next generation of coaching leaders, these initiatives show how inclusion can ripple outward. When coaches come together to champion belonging, the impact stretches beyond individuals to shape chapters, communities, and even societies.

If you’re inspired to learn more, download Coaching for Inclusion and Community Change: Highlights from ICF’s DEIB Chapter Initiatives. This resource offers a closer look at these three chapter initiatives, sharing strategies, lessons, and stories that can be adapted and replicated to create meaningful impact worldwide.