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The ICF Circle of Distinction program celebrates the best of the coaching profession and ICF. Circle of Distinction members are experienced coach practitioners who have made their mark on ICF and the coaching profession.
Nominations for this year’s ICF Circle of Distinction are now closed. If our staff or selection committee have any questions regarding an application, we will contact the nominator via email. Winners will be announced on or before March 31, 2021.
“He not only trains the Core Competencies. He breathes and role models the Core Competencies during his training. By walking the talk and integrating the Core Competencies into his work ethics, he not only demonstrates sound moral and ethical principles at work but communicates to others how to live their values in alignment with ICF Core Competencies and transform lives.”
“Through his positive relationships with peers, supporting diverse colleagues in collaborative partnership and combining strengths to work together, he provides the best possible environment for everyone to thrive together and co-create achievements.”
“Wai K is not just a coach by profession. He lives the life of a coach in that his being of a coach shines through at every occasion and in every interaction with people.”
“Wai K’s awareness of people, emotional intelligence, demeanor and expression in all of his interactions and communication with people explicitly embody respect for people.”
“Wai K is known to tirelessly help both aspiring and experienced coaches … and act as their mentor.”
“Being the first MCC in Malaysia, Wai K has brought vibrancy, hope and optimism to the country with regards to the professional outlook of coaching.”
“The biggest contribution Pat Mathews has made to the coaching profession is her years-long drive to increase substantially the credibility of professional coaches. … Much of what we take for granted today with regard to unwavering standards was influenced by Pat as she served on the Credentialing and Accreditation Committee, on the PCC Markers team, and on the ICF Global Board.”
“Having worked with her on the Board, what I notice is that she listens, contributes, then listens even more because she knows that together the board, or the committee, or the task force will come to the best decision through partnership or and collaboration.”
“She garners respect from her colleagues around the world. Many more members know her because of her genuine desire to reach out to others and her generosity in providing her knowledge and wisdom and learning wherever and to whomever wants or needs it.”
“Pat is a contributor who consistently demonstrates the ICF core values in every interaction meeting and presentation.”
“Pat’s demeanor and approach to all she does has long demonstrated the fact that what she believes is how she lives her life. She believes in coaching and people. Her life of service to others and her dedication to advancing the profession, including contributing new ideas to the profession, are clear examples of how her words, actions and behaviors uphold the very precepts of integrity.”
“She listens, she appreciates others’ opinions, she is willing to be available to others, she considers all contributions and she invites all perspectives in any conversation. Consequently, when decisions are made, they are made with clarity and with the best interests of the community at heart.”
“Sue has transformed the hearts and minds of the global professional community as a servant leader who inspires through her actions that demonstrate how to live aligned to values, how to strive to do one’s best work and how to collaborate cross-culturally.”
“Sue is a role model for all she works with in the coaching profession. Sue McMahon’s loving and compassionate respect for others and the coaching profession sets an exceptional benchmark for her peers and advances our profession.”
“Sue’s integrity is impeccable. One can always rely on her to deliver on her promises. Integrity, however, goes beyond doing the right things. Sue is an advocate for right behavior. Her efforts with the Independent Review Board (IRB) demonstrate a huge heart and compassion for those trying to get it right. In my opinion, she sees the IRB as a vehicle for advancing coaching integrity around the world. She works tirelessly to advance this agenda.”
“Sue’s work for the IRB is flawless. She is always prepared. She never dominates, yet she often delegates.”
“Sue lives in the pursuit of excellence. … As the leader of the IRB, Sue is always trying to better herself [and] be more of who she knows she can be.”
“Although Sue has achieved much in her career, what is remarkable about Sue is how she lives every day. Her greater achievement is the love, kindness and generosity she brings to the world in everything she does. She has a deep love of humanity and brings out the very best in everyone, believes in others, and trusts they can and will show up in their best possible way. Her unique and very special way of being and interacting with others is what sets her apart from others [and] distinguishes her as a coach and a human being.”
“I cannot even count the number of times coaches have said to me, ‘I love Meryl!’ Her career legacy can be found in the minds and hearts of her many, many global colleagues, clients, friends and supporters.”
“Meryl’s primary purpose is to ensure that the coaching profession enjoys unconditional positive regard from all stakeholders. In line with this purpose, she partners with internal coaches to design, implement and evaluate internal coaching programs that are best in class and set them up for the Prism Award. Three of Meryl’s clients have won [chapter or International] Prism Awards.”
“Reflecting on the profession of coaching and how far we’ve come over the past 30 years, Meryl comes to mind as the most influential person I know. Over many years, she continually found ways to shape the industry and yet remain a humble servant leader for others.”
“Meryl has a global presence as a coach. She lavishly shares her experience as a coach … and is dedicated to developing coaching core competencies of coaches through teaching and training.”
“Meryl has truly used the content of her life to create the content of her work. She brings her natural grace and agility from her early years as a dancer to her work coaching businesspeople to be graceful and agile in their leadership. She brings her global perspective, empathy and passion from her early work at the United Nations to her role as trusted advisor and coach to Fortune 500 organizations.”
“Meryl is passionate about bringing up the next generation of coaching.”
“As a highly visible coach, Marcia is aware that how she shows up—onstage or off—represents the professionalism of the ICF. Whether teaching, speaking, mentoring or coaching, she consciously models the ICF Code of Ethics with integrity.”
“Marcia is respected as one of the most influential coaches in the world. She has been committed to global coaching for over 20 years. And yet she is always curious to learn the views of others, which creates even more respect from the diverse coaches and schools she works with.”
“Marcia appreciates her global position as a coach educator with students by continually improving her own coaching skills. Doing so, she continually discovers and embraces the richness of diversity around the world.”
“Marcia is a passionate advocate for exploring our judgments, biases and gaps so we can strive to be inclusive as we develop our excellence.”
“She has a sincere commitment to excellence in her work and takes responsibility for her role as a global expert in coaching. Students who have graduated ours and other programs come back to work with her year after year because they always know they will learn something new.”
“She listens to alternative viewpoints and welcomes feedback.”
“Dave spends 10% of his time talking to folks about coaching. Whether talking to people interested in coaching as a career, speaking with his colleagues about their business or how coaching can help society … Dave gives his time without hesitation or fee. These conversations have ripples that reach out further and touch many people. He makes the profession better every day!”
“Dave has a knack of making sure all people feel heard and respected. Although everyone cannot have their way … he makes sure that all views are heard.”
“When looking at how Dave has developed, just like his personal passion for playing the trumpet, which requires continual practice, Dave promotes the need to continually work on coaches’ practice of coaching [and promotes] the need to understand that coaching is a business that needs to be worked on as well.”
“As a Trustee and then President of the ICF Foundation, Dave was instrumental in bringing ICFF from a “startup” to a more mature foundation that began communicating and connecting more widely. It was a significant piece of work that required determination to move ICFF forward.”
“The Dave Wondra I know puts people first. As you read his CV and review his achievements, what I see is someone who holds out his hand to anyone regardless of who they are or where they come from. … His work on the Board meant he was privileged to travel to other countries to promote ICF and coaching, and he did this with integrity and always respectfully and collaboratively. He also always acknowledged that privilege.”
“He has been a tireless spokesperson for establishing the highest standards in coaching and collaborating with others to enlist resources to stretch the vision and reach of ICF and other groups.”
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