The International Coaching Federation (ICF) is the global organization for coaches and coaching. Many opportunities exist at both the local and global levels to become involved with ICF and help advance its mission.
We are achieving our vision through the work of six unique family organizations. Each organization has a dedicated board that oversees the strategic direction of its affairs, funds and property.
The International Coaching Federation Global Board provides strategic direction for and coordination of the complete ICF ecosystem.
The International Coaching Federation (ICF):
ICF operates as a membership organization. Its members include the six family organizations.
The ICF Global Board of Directors is comprised of:
Shweta Handa-Gupta, MCC (India)
ICF Global Board Chair
Shweta has been recognized as the India #1 and among the top global coaches for CEOs and boards. She currently coaches promoters of some of India’s top business houses, founders, and CEOs, as well as Fortune 500 business leaders worldwide. Shweta is the co-founder of QuadraBrain Transformation Solutions, which specializes in “making complex change simple.” Shweta is dedicated to helping business leaders from across the world measurably enhance their strategic output, leadership effectiveness, and bottom-line impact, while facilitating timely global impact on peace, climate, and education.
Kara Exner, PCC, M.C.Ed (Canada)
ICF Global Board Vice Chair
Kara is an executive and leadership coach, facilitator, and trainer who works with individuals, teams, and groups. She has worked with clients across diverse industries, with a particular affinity for the nonprofit and public sectors, engaging with those who are making a difference for causes they care about. She’s been an ICF member since 2005 and a volunteer with ICF global since 2008.
She is a lead faculty member and mentor coach with Destination Leadership’s Level 1 ICF-accredited coaching education. She is also an author and speaker, often invited to share the themes from her book, “Be the Change(maker).” Kara is a graduate of the Co-Active Training Institute and has a master’s degree in adult and continuing education and a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
Tonya Echols, PCC (USA)
ICF Global Board Secretary/Treasurer
Tonya is a globally recognized, award-winning leader, coach, and consultant with 30 years of experience in corporate management, media, technology, finance, and inclusion. She has held leadership roles across the ICF at the chapter, regional, and global levels. Tonya is the managing principal and founder of Vigere, a global coaching and consultancy firm, and has partnered with leaders and organizations globally to create successful, inclusive, human-centric business environments. An educator and life-long learner, Tonya is an adjunct instructor at William & Mary and Harvard University and is completing her doctorate in organizational leadership psychology at William James College.
Lise Bruynooghe, MCC (Switzerland)
Lise is to her clients what a world-class coach is to elite athletes – an essential partner in reaching new heights in their careers, leadership, and personal lives. As ex-senior executive and certified master coach with 500+ clients across 30+ countries, Lise works with leaders and leadership teams outdoors in the Swiss mountains. Her clients are fast thinkers, global achievers, and unconventional trailblazers. She has taught at prestigious institutions like Sciences Po Paris, spoken on global stages, and founded School of Change, transforming leadership through coaching.
Dumisani Magadlela, PCC, PhD (South Africa)
Dumi is an executive coach, coach-trainer and leadership skill development facilitator. He is a founding board member of Africa Board for Coaching, Consulting and Coaching Psychology (ABCCCP), an association promoting coaching development across Africa, and the 2016 African Coach of the Year. He co-founded and chaired the Ubuntu Coaching Foundation (UCF) at The Coaching Centre (TCC) to help poor communities access affordable coaching. Dumi serves on multiple coach-development faculties globally, including the Global Team Coaching Institute (GTCI).
Lynda Mansson, PCC (Switzerland)
ICF Coaching Education Representative
Lynda is the founder of LeaderLy Sàrl, established to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by coaching, training, and inspiring mission-driven leaders.
Before founding LeaderLy, Lynda was CEO of the MAVA Foundation, a family philanthropic foundation working on nature conservation and sustainable economy. For 13 years, she led a team of 20 people to grant over 1.17 billion euros to more than 500 organizations supporting nature and people. Previously, Lynda held various leadership positions at WWF International in Switzerland for 13 years, including director of Global Operations, director of Network Performance, and director of Learning and Development.
Lynda serves on the boards of ICF Coaching Education, Fondation Audemars Piguet, Swarovski Foundation, B Lab Switzerland, Unearthodox, and New Wind, and is an advisor to the Cartier for Nature Initiative. Lynda is American and Swiss and has made Switzerland her home for over 30 years.
Heather McBride Leef, ACC (USA)
ICF Coaching in Organizations Representative
Heather is the managing director leading Deloitte’s DEI Institute. Heather has a long-standing passion for equity and belonging; she is committed to the collaboration and collective actions necessary to advance successful diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts in the workforce, marketplace, and society. Heather received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in accounting from Bucknell University and her executive coaching certification from Columbia University. She is a member of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (AICPA) and the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Mary Anna Wright, MCC (Ireland)
ICF Credentials and Standards Representative
Mary Anna is an executive coach with an international practice that extends across corporate and public sectors. Operating from the family farm in Ireland, she assists leaders in understanding the impact of their actions and words. This work is informed by her background as a journalist and experience leading communications teams. In 2014, she served as president for the ICF Ireland Charter Chapter and has since collaborated on numerous global projects. Her favorite role is supporting coach development through supervision and mentoring.
Rashmi Shetty, PCC (India)
ICF Foundation Representative
Rashmi, founder director of The Third Eye, draws inspiration from the Bhagavad Gita. Broadcasting introduced her to the power of VOICE, her coaching framework. Rashmi coaches CXOs and women transitioning to senior leadership roles to enhance their vocal presence. An award–winning professional, Rashmi has received national and international recognition for scripting and narrating radio documentaries. In addition to holding a master’s degree in public administration, she is an award-winning podcaster for her weekly human library audio podcast “U n’ I with Rashmi Shetty.”
James “Jim” Wetrich, PCC (USA)
ICF Professional Coaches Representative
Jim, with 43 years in the health care industry, has held senior roles at Abbott & Molnycke on three continents. An expert in leadership, he has published books and journal articles, and has served on boards and advisory boards in nonprofits, as well as a listed for-profit. Jim holds master’s degrees in both business and health care administration, and a certificate in executive coaching from the University of Texas at Dallas. Jim along with his wife, Nancy, has two sons, a granddaughter, and a grandson.
Yene Assegid, MCC, PhD (Belgium/Ethiopia)
ICF Thought Leadership Institute Representative
Yene is a seasoned transformational leadership coach and systems thinking practitioner, having supported civil society organizations, United Nations Agencies, European Union Institutions, and multinationals since the mid-1990’s. Her expertise lies in transformational leadership development training programs, blended with leadership coaching for executives and management teams. Her approach is deeply rooted in Integral Theory, Systems Thinking, and Emotional Intelligence. Yene brings extensive international experience from her work around the world. She received a PhD in Transformation, Leader, and Change from the California Institute of Integral Studies.
Magdalena Nowicka Mook (USA)
CEO, ICF
ICF Coaching Education:
ICF Coaching Education is a non-membership entity.
The ICF Coaching Education Board of Directors is comprised of :
Jason Donkersgoed, PCC, CEC MA (Canada)
Chair
Jason serves as the director of LC Extension at Lethbridge Polytechnic, overseeing the delivery of non-credit, customized and mirco-credential courses. He played a key role in Lethbridge College becoming the first post-secondary institution in Alberta, Canada to offer an ICF-accredited Level 1 program. He is an ICF credential-holder, and he holds a graduate certificate in Executive Coaching and a Master of Arts from Royal Roads University. Jason resides in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, with his partner and three children.
Lynda Mansson, PCC, MBA (Switzerland)
Vice Chair and Global Board Representative
Lynda is the founder of LeaderLy Sàrl, established to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by coaching, training, and inspiring mission-driven leaders.
Before founding LeaderLy, Lynda was CEO of the MAVA Foundation, a family philanthropic foundation working on nature conservation and sustainable economy. For 13 years, she led a team of 20 people to grant over 1.17 billion euros to more than 500 organizations supporting nature and people. Previously, Lynda held various leadership positions at WWF International in Switzerland for 13 years, including director of Global Operations, director of Network Performance, and director of Learning and Development.
Lynda serves on the boards of ICF Coaching Education, Fondation Audemars Piguet, Swarovski Foundation, B Lab Switzerland, Unearthodox, and New Wind, and is an advisor to the Cartier for Nature Initiative. Lynda is American and Swiss and has made Switzerland her home for over 30 years.
Cindy Jensen, ACTC, PCC, CSM (China)
Secretary/Treasurer
Cindy, an accredited coach supervisor and founder of INPOWER ONE, has 20 years of Fortune 100 experience. Her company offers business consultancy, executive coaching, and tailored solutions for leadership and change management programs. With extensive cross-cultural expertise, Cindy has collaborated with leaders and teams in more than 20 countries. Currently Cindy serves as a corporate strategy advisor for Business Better Society, a non-profit focused on purposeful and sustainable impact, and is completing her master’s degree in Psychology and Neuroscience of Mental Health at King’s College London.
Cristina Custodio, MCC, MBA (Puerto Rico)
Cristina helps social leaders realize their dreams of a better world, in their own style and on their own terms. She serves as a coach to a variety of social leaders in education, philanthropy, social entrepreneurship, community development, economic sustainability, the environment, public health, STEM and the arts. Cristina holds a master’s degree in Business Administration and a bachelor’s in History, Literature, and Latin American Studies from Harvard University.
Kellie Garrett, PCC, ICD.D, MA (Canada)
Kellie is an executive coach and speaker who consults on leadership, culture, team dynamics, and board governance. A former senior vice president at an agricultural financial institution, she managed business strategy, enterprise risk, customer experience, and reputation management. Kellie has been honored on Canada’s 100 Most Powerful Women list and has received the Red Cross Humanitarian Award for autism advocacy. Driven by a passion for empowering others, her debut book “Self-Coaching ~ The Dragon Within: The hardest person you’ll ever lead is you” was published in 2024.
Mark Setch, MCC, DMin (Australia)
Mark is a leadership and personal development coach, educator, ICF-registered mentor coach, and coach supervisor.
His coaching clients include leaders in business, government, not-for-profit organizations, and small businesses. Professional supervision clients include coaches, social workers, pastors, and army chaplains. As senior lecturer and MBA and coaching course leader at the ACAP University College, Mark oversees the ICF-accredited coaching course.
As a mentor coach for all three credential levels, Mark brings a wealth of experience in the application of the ICF Core Competencies within coaching conversations.
René Sonneveld, ACTC, PCC, MBA (Uruguay)
René is a leadership coach for entrepreneurs, C-suite executives, and corporate teams, also coaching athletes on mental performance.
With extensive chairman and C-Suite executive experience in the USA, Europe, and South America, he specializes in developing senior executives to CEO level and advising corporate boards on governance.
René corporate career began as an international tax lawyer in the Netherlands, Hong Kong, and Curacao, followed by leadership roles at UBS Bank and Deutsche Bank, and concluded when named Citibank New York’s “family and corporate governance champion” in 2010.
In 2012, René was appointed Honorary Consul General by the Queen of the Netherlands, a role renewed in 2017 and 2022. He is committed to sustainable energy, including a green hydrogen supply chain from South America to Europe.
René holds a law degree, teaches at American University, Rutgers, and North Carolina State University, is an ICF Advanced Certified Coach, and is quadrilingual.
David Jennings, CAE, SPHR, SHRM-SCP (USA)
Vice President, ICF Coaching Education
Shweta Handa-Gupta, MCC (India)
Global Board Chair
Magdalena Nowicka Mook (USA)
CEO, ICF
ICF Coaching in Organizations:
ICF Coaching in Organizations is a membership association for for-profit and nonprofit organizations.
The ICF Coaching in Organizations Board of Directors is comprised of:
Helen Basford, PCC (United Kingdom)
Chair
Helen is the global capability lead for coaching and feedforward at AstraZeneca in the Global Talent and Development Office. She is an advanced professional coach, coaching consultant and experienced facilitator with a background in organizational psychology and business leadership. Helen focuses on developing a coach approach to leadership and designs the strategy and implementation of coaching practices across global organizations. With a proven track record for performance development across professional industries, Helen has a background in organizational psychology, and an ICF credential.
Denise Russo (USA)
Vice Chair
Denise is a multi-certified coach with more than 17 years’ experience leading teams focused on engaging and empowering leaders at all levels. She not only coaches, but she also leads a large multinational team of coaches, is a global vice president at SAP, and is a writer for the Forbes Coaches Council. She is an innovative, proactive, customer-focused problem solver with impressive performance and in-depth experience in short-and-long-term strategy consulting, as well as coaching high-performance teams and leaders.
Heather McBride Leef, ACC (USA)
Secretary/Treasurer and Global Board Representative
Heather is the managing director leading Deloitte’s DEI Institute. Heather has a long-standing passion for equity and belonging; she is committed to the collaboration and collective actions necessary to advance successful diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts in the workforce, marketplace, and society. Heather received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in accounting from Bucknell University and her executive coaching certification from Columbia University. She is a member of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (AICPA) and the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Jacob R. de Villiers, ACC, MS (Saudi Arabia)
Jacob, an experienced chartered industrial and organizational psychologist and executive coach with a keen interest in people development, specializes in coaching and facilitating team effectiveness to senior leaders. Jacob’s career began in London, United Kingdom, working with major global organizations in financial services, petrochemical, and retail. Consulting experiences includes serving as a managing member of a boutique consulting firm, with expertise spanning industries such as pharmaceutical, petrochemical, telecoms, media, retail, and mining.
As a seasoned HR and business professional, Jacob has led projects in talent management, leadership development, executive coaching, assessment, and business consulting. Jacob adds tremendous value to people and organizations and has done so across the globe working in the United Kingdom, Middle East, Africa, and the United States. These experiences enabled Jacob to learn and grow into several specialist and leadership roles over the past twenty years.
Pooja Khandelwal, ACTC, MCC, MBA (Canada)
Pooja is an LCP360 certified coach, educator, mentor coach, Dare to LeadTM facilitator, and an organizational leader. Pooja has transformed careers in transition across intersectional ecosystems for over a decade. She was one of the first ICF credentialed coaches in India.
At UBC, she works with leaders, enhancing their individual resilience and collective capacity in retaining talent. Pooja supports a workforce of over 15,000 employees with their career resilience through systemic approaches to retention and transition. Her innovative work has shifted the culture on workplace engagement and employee transitions through the pioneering philosophy of career navigation. In 2018, UBC won an Honorable Mention at the ICF Prism Awards, for its strong coaching culture. Pooja was a founding coach for UBC’s Organizational Coaching Certificate Program. Under her leadership as Director Coach-Giving, ICF Vancouver Chapter’s ‘Leadership Coach-Giving program’ won the ICF Innovative Initiative award in 2014 and 2015.
Rosarii Mannion, PCC (Ireland)
Rosarii is a senior HR leader currently employed as the national director of People and Change at Ireland’s TULSA Child and Family Agency. She is a passionate believer in maximizing organizational performance and engagement through promoting the benefits of a coaching culture. Rosarii is a chartered director, mediator, and executive and conflict coach. She serves as a board chair of Pobal, an organization that works on behalf of the Irish Government to support communities and local agencies toward achieving social inclusion and development.
Elena Vedernikova, ACC, AATC, MBA (USA)
Elena is a seasoned Human Resources professional with diverse leadership experience across private and public sectors, specializing in organizational development, talent strategy, and transformational change management. Currently with the World Bank in Washington D.C., USA, Elena has previously held leadership roles including VP of HR at prominent multinational investment corporations such as Nomura and Lehman Brothers in the United Kingdom and EMEA.
Her professional expertise encompasses comprehensive organizational design, strategic analytics, mergers and acquisitions, international division establishment, compensation and benefits, and leadership coaching and development. As a certified professional coach, Elena delivers high-impact leadership, performance, and organizational coaching to leaders, managers, teams, and individuals. Her distinctive approach integrates sophisticated HR strategic insights with advanced coaching methodologies, enabling organizational and individual performance optimization. An active member of ICF-DC Chapter, Elena contributes through professional group engagement and pro-bono coaching for leadership of a major hospital located in the Washington D.C. area.
Robert Garcia, ACC, CAE, MBA (USA)
Vice President, ICF Coaching in Organizations
Shweta Handa-Gupta, MCC (India)
Global Board Chair
Magdalena Nowicka Mook (USA)
CEO, ICF
ICF Credentials and Standards:
The ICF Credentials and Standards Board of Directors is comprised of:
Dawna Atamanchuk, PCC, MA (Canada)
Chair
Dawna thrives at the intersection of business and personal growth, leveraging nearly three decades of experience to help individuals and organizations reach their full potential. From managing large accounts to transitioning into adult learning, Dawna’s career has been defined by adaptability and purpose. A pivotal return to higher education rekindled a passion for learning, shaping a facilitation style that connects deeply with diverse audiences. Today, as an executive coach and facilitator, Dawna champions development that drives impactful change. With certifications in Executive Leadership Coaching and a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, expertise and empathy are brought to every interaction. Beyond work, Dawna is committed to community-building as an active board member. Whether enjoying nature, savoring great food, or seeking hidden gems off the beaten path, Dawna values experiences that inspire connection and growth.
Suresh MJ, PCC (Singapore)
Vice Chair
Suresh, a visionary leader with over 33 years of experience, combines technological expertise with a passion for people development. With 2,500+ coaching hours in leadership, career progression, and business excellence, he empowers senior and youth leaders globally to navigate the future of work with confidence. His coaching and mentoring engagements uphold global standards, fostering leadership excellence across sectors such as technology, finance, education, and more. A champion of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB), Suresh actively supports initiatives like Women in Tech (WIT) and Women in Leadership, driving gender equality, and amplifying underrepresented voices. His mission is to shape resilient, authentic leaders who inspire and thrive in an ever-changing world.
Yiannis Kontou, MCC, EMCC (United Kingdom)
Secretary/Treasurer
Yiannis is a globally experienced executive coach passionate about elevating coaching standards and shaping the profession’s future through cutting-edge technology. With a career spanning multiple countries and industries, he has worked with senior leaders in the energy and technology sectors, leveraging his cross-disciplinary expertise to help clients drive strategic growth and innovation.
A former Henley-certified coach, Yiannis blends systems thinking with a practical, results-oriented approach to empower leaders to navigate complexity and achieve sustainable impact. As an ICF Credentials and Standards Board member, he is dedicated to advancing the global coaching profession, fostering excellence, and ensuring alignment with emerging trends. Yiannis’s deep commitment to professional development and innovation positions him as a thought leader in the coaching community, continually striving to inspire positive change in organizations and individuals alike.
Mary Anna Wright, MCC (Ireland)
Global Board Representative
Mary Anna is an executive coach with an international practice that extends across corporate and public sectors. Operating from the family farm in Ireland, she assists leaders in understanding the impact of their actions and words. This work is informed by her background as a journalist and experience leading communications teams. In 2014, she served as president for the ICF Ireland Charter Chapter and has since collaborated on numerous global projects. Her favorite role is supporting coach development through supervision and mentoring.
Lois Hanshaw, ACC (USA)
Lois believes deeply in the transformative power of coaching. She strives to help individuals create deeper satisfaction and fulfillment as they navigate their personal and professional journeys. For over a decade as an attorney, she adjudicated complex disputes of multi-billion–dollar government contracts and provided strategic counsel and advice to multi-disciplinary teams. She holds degrees from Washington University in St. Louis, USA and Howard University in Washington D.C., USA.
Ksenia Rosina, PCC (Ireland/Russia)
Ksenia is a business and executive coach, and leadership consultant with a background in corporate performance and leadership development. Her goal is to help individuals, teams, and organizations thrive by enabling them to develop their own unique strengths and talents. Ksenia has been an active member of the ICF since 2016, actively volunteering in Chapter activities, and serving on the ICF Russia Chapter Board from 2017 to 2019.
James Varnham, FLPI (Denmark)
James Varnham is a dynamic leader with more than two decades of experience in technology education and professional certification. He is the CEO of Denmark-based AI Academy, whose mission is to close the skills and cultural gaps affecting organizations undergoing AI transformation. He also serves as the public member of the ICF Credentials and Standards Global Board.
James has held key international leadership roles, driving professional certification, brand evolution, and market expansion across Europe, the Middle East, and North America. His passion lies in connecting education with the evolving demands of the tech industry, making a lasting impact on learners and organizations alike. An active voice in the industry, James contributes to forums and shares his expertise as a sought-after speaker at global technology conferences. His focus areas include innovation, leadership, and the transformative role of education in shaping the future of technology.
Carrie Abner, CAE (USA)
Vice President, ICF Credentials and Standards
Shweta Handa-Gupta, MCC (India)
Global Board Chair
Magdalena Nowicka Mook (USA)
CEO, ICF
The ICF Foundation connects and equips professional coaches and organizations to accelerate and amplify impact on social progress through coaching.
The Foundation is a non-membership body, established as a 501(c)(3) tax- exempt education and research-oriented legal entity.
The ICF Foundation’s Board of Trustees is comprised of:
At least one-half of the Board of Trustees shall be comprised of ICF Members in good standing.
Rashmi Shetty, PCC (India)
Chair and Global Board Representative
Rashmi, founder director of The Third Eye, draws inspiration from the Bhagavad Gita. Broadcasting introduced her to the power of VOICE, her coaching framework. Rashmi coaches CXOs and women transitioning to senior leadership roles to enhance their vocal presence. An award–winning professional, Rashmi has received national and international recognition for scripting and narrating radio documentaries. In addition to holding a master’s degree in public administration, she is an award-winning podcaster for her weekly human library audio podcast “U n’ I with Rashmi Shetty.”
Sundar Visvanathan, PCC (India)
Vice Chair
Sundar’s value proposition revolves around the idea of “Inspiring leaders to lead better.” He believes that leaders can enhance their effectiveness by cultivating self-awareness, understanding stakeholders’ perceptions, and consciously modifying behavior patterns. His purpose is to motivate and inspire leaders to evolve into improved versions of themselves. Functioning as a “Transformational Catalyst,” he collaborates with leaders on their leadership journey. With 35 years of corporate experience and an additional 6 years in coaching. Sundar fulfills his purpose through coaching, mentoring, and professional speaking.
Kath Milne, MCC (Australia)
Treasurer
Kath is passionate about making a difference and loves creating opportunities to bring out the best in the individuals and organizations. In these changing times, she believes new ways of working and shaping solutions are required. This requires new approaches to leading and learning to foster thriving organizations and people, coaching is key part of this process. Recognized for being fair, open, supportive, and speaking from the heart, Kath also likes having fun and believes that laughter can make a day.
Tamala Chirwa, PCC, MBA (Malawi)
Secretary
Tamala is an ICF-registered mentor coach, specializing in executive leadership coaching, group/team coaching, coach training, and mentor coaching. She is a DISC practitioner and an accredited LEIPA facilitator. She holds a Master in Business Administration and ACCA diploma in financial management, and a post-graduate diploma in management. She partners with C-Suite leaders, helping them leverage coaching to enhance their leadership skills, embed coaching into their organizational culture, and optimize individual and team performance. Her goal is to create environments where everyone thrives.
Annette Blum Pearson, ACC (USA)
Annette utilizes experience, intuition, and coaching tools in her work with individuals and groups. Specializing in value-driven development and fulfillment, she collaborates with entrepreneurs and corporate leaders. With over 10 years of experience in product management, sales and marketing within big tech and startups, Annette drives large-scale initiatives with creative passion and a growth mindset to cultivate thriving teams and success. Residing in San Francisco, USA with her family, Annette enjoys nature, being with loved ones, traveling, learning, reading, and enjoying good food.
Jeff Cheah, PCC (Malaysia)
Jeff brings over 40 years of experience in corporations and leading entrepreneurial businesses. With a wealth of knowledge, he has accumulated over 1,500 hours of executive coaching, guiding more than 600 C-Suite leaders. Additionally, Jeff has conducted over 200 coaching, mentoring, and emotional intelligence workshops. Active the ICF Malaysia Charter Chapter, he served as a chapter leaders, holding positions of vice-president, president, and immediate past-president for six years. During the last two years, he has served as an ICF Foundation board trustee and treasurer.
Rony Gruber, PCC (Israel)
Rony regards coaching as a transformative language with the potential to foster effective communication and reduce polarization. Honored with Israel’s Presidential Volunteer Award, he believes tolerance and inclusion are the cornerstones of a healthy society. Rony is a seasoned coach and supervisor, founder of Vizier, and creator of the CiC Model. He brings decades of experience in leadership, marketing, and cinema, integrating storytelling with traditional coaching techniques to unlock potential and encourage authenticity and humanism, empowering executives at global companies (such as EY, HP, and GE) to propel personal growth into a collective social impact.
Rania Laing, PCC, FCIM (United Kingdom)
Rania, an ICF coach, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, an Ashridge Hult EF Executive Coach, and a PCC-credentialed ICF Coach, brings more than 25 years of extensive strategic experience. She serves as a sustainability advisor, combing social and community impact strategies with UN SDG impact management and metrics. Rania is also a carbon literacy trainer. In addition to serving as the CEO of Purposeful Innovators CIC and founder of Your Neuro Coach, she is a former president of the ICF United Arab Emirates Chapter.
Anne Schweppenhäußer, MCC (Germany)
Anne works to shape a better world through personal development by offering coaching, team coaching, and training for international businesses and NGOs. She believes that practicing altruism is fundamental in all aspects of life. A former ICF Germany Chapter Board member, she is currently a member of their ethics committee, a podcaster, and mentor coach. She holds a degree in psychology and has edited a book on ICF competencies. Anne is recognized as a certified master practitioner and a global coach/mentor supervisor.
Coura Badiane, CAE, MBA (USA)
Vice President, ICF Foundation
Shweta Handa-Gupta, MCC (India)
Global Board Chair
Magdalena Nowicka Mook (USA)
CEO, ICF
Learn more about the Foundation and its work by visiting the link below.
ICF Professional Coaches is a membership association for trained, professional coach practitioners. The ICF Professional Coaches Board is a body of elected members who govern the affairs of the organization.
The ICF Professional Coaches Board of Directors is comprised of:
Each Director serves a two-year term, with a maximum of two terms. The Chair is elected annually and can run for a second term.
The Nominating Committee will present at least one nominee for each vacant or expired seat on the Board, and all ICF Professional Coaches members (formerly ICF members) have a voice in the future of their organization and can vote.
Manbir Kaur, MCC (Canada)
Chair
Manbir, an executive and leadership coach with over 27 years of experience, is a certified team coach, positive intelligence coach, and conversational intelligence practitioner. A thought leader in executive coaching, she created the “HUMAN Leadership framework”and partners with tech leaders to foster exceptional leadership. In addition to coaching leaders, she helps coaches through mentorship and supervision. A published author and HBR contributor, she serves as the Professional Coaches Global Board of Directors Vice Chair and is a former ICF-Delhi/NCR chapter board director.
James “Jim” Wetrich, PCC (USA)
Vice Chair and Global Board Representative
Jim, with 43 years in the health care industry, has held senior roles at Abbott & Molnycke on three continents. An expert in leadership, he has published books and journal articles, and has served on boards and advisory boards in nonprofits, as well as a listed for-profit. Jim holds master’s degrees in both business and health care administration, and a certificate in executive coaching from the University of Texas at Dallas. Jim along with his wife, Nancy, has two sons, a granddaughter, and a grandson.
Graziela “Gra” Cajado-Ogland, PCC, MBA (United Kingdom)
Secretary/Treasurer
Graziela (Gra) is an award-winning leadership and certified executive coach, specializinhes in enhancing leadership effectiveness and navigating transitions. With 15+ years of leadership experience at international organizations such as American Express, Save the Children UK, and JP Morgan, Gra has collaborated and presented to Aviva, Rothschild & Co, BlackRock, and Sparta Global. She coaches London Business School Alumni and served the UK ICF Board (2021-2023). Gra holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, a degree from Fundação Getúlio Vargas, and CPCC, CPQC, and LCP certifications.
Jurgita Micallef, PCC (Spain)
Director of Member Relations
Jurgita is a leadership coach and facilitator with 20 years of HR experience in international public and private sector organizations around the world, from startups to publicly listed companies and governmental bodies (e.g. European Parliament). She most recently served as the head of HR for EMEA in a global technology company. Jurgita holds a master’s degree in public administration and a post-graduate diploma in business administration. A Lithuanian national, having lived in eight countries over the past 20 years, Jurgita identifies as a global citizen.
Jihane Labib, ACTC, MCC (UAE/Morocco)
Jihane is a multicultural executive coach who fosters an inclusive coaching approach to empower corporate leaders and teams. With a global perspective, she champions collaboration to amplify impact worldwide. Currently a doctoral candidate in education and AI, Jihane holds an MBA and a master’s degree in governance and HR. Honored as the best executive coach in 2023, she brings 24 years of experience, including roles as a multinational marketing director and CEO of Coachinglab Academy, an ICF Level 2 Accredited program. An ICF mentor and assessor, Jihane also serves as the ICF Professional Coaches’ Board representative on the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Council. She is fluent in Arabic, English, and French.
Soon Loo, MCC (Singapore)
Soon is an acclaimed coaching leader with more than 25 years of award-winning global leadership experience across Asia, North America, and Europe. His expertise spans finance, technology, education, and government sectors. Soon has served on multiple boards for both for-profit and nonprofit organizations, including as chairman of a publicly listed company valued at over $1 billion USD. Fluent in English and Mandarin, he has held CEO and regional vice president roles in Fortune 500 and private companies. As an adjunct professor at leading Asian universities, Soon focuses on business innovation and coaching the next generation of leaders. He holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and is currently pursuing advanced research studies in coaching and AI at the University of Cambridge.
André Politzer, MCC (USA)
André, an ICF Master Certified Coach and certified ADR mediator, gained recognition during his executive career for his leadership style, characterized by a strong focus on coaching, authenticity, and vision. Today, he leverages this experience to empower leaders through transformative coaching and mediation, helping them approach challenges with clarity and resilience.
Committed to community impact, André teaches, researches organizational leadership, and serves in advisory roles. He holds an MBA from the University of Paris IX Dauphine, a Master of Science from the Institute of Hospitality Management in Switzerland, and an executive coaching certification from the University of Texas at Dallas.
Marta Terrile, PCC, PhD (Ireland)
Marta is an ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC) and holds a PhD in Cancer Genetics. As an expat, she values diversity as a key driver of success in any international community. Through emotional intelligence, Marta shapes high-performing teams and fosters inclusive cultures. Her empathetic coaching and 20-plus years of experience empower leaders to excel and innovate in the pharmaceutical industry.
As a PC board director, Marta aspires to research the impact of ICF and to establish practices for ethically integrating AI in coaching. Her unique mix of enthusiasm, international experience, dedication, and technical skills will catalyze positive change. Originally from Genoa, Italy, Marta has lived in Dublin, Ireland, for nearly 15 years.
Sophia Toh, PCC, MBA (USA)
Sophia an executive, mentor and team coach fluent in Mandarin and English, has 20 years’ of experience in finance, accounting, strategy, and organizational development. She served as a business unit CFO at Walker and Company Brands and Kraft Heinz. Sophia holds a bachelor’s degree from Clayton State University, an MBA from Purdue University, a Harvard Kennedy School Nonprofit Leadership certificate, and multiple coaching certifications. She’s a Gallip CliftonStrengths Coach™ and Four Stages of Psychological Safety™ trainer, Sophia dedicates time to pro bono mentoring, coaching and volunteering.
Steve Weiss, CAE (USA)
Vice President, ICF Professional Coaches
Shweta Handa-Gupta, MCC (India)
Global Board Chair
Magdalena Nowicka Mook (USA)
CEO, ICF
ICF Thought Leadership Institute facilitates interaction between innovators, researchers, technologists, venture capitalists, press and influencers to build and maintain the most comprehensive and highest-quality body of knowledge on the art and practice of coaching.
ICF Thought Leadership Institute is a non-membership body, established as a 501(c)(3) tax- exempt education and research-oriented legal entity.
The ICF Thought Leadership Institute Board of Directors is comprised of:
Donna P.A. Eiby, MBA (Australia)
Chair
Donna’s passions are people and the planet. She believes that we should strive for the utopian vision of each and every human, operating in service to both. To do this, we need (among many other actions) to rebuild the social structures and rhythms of our existence. The ICF Thought Leadership Institute, as part of the wider coaching community, has enormous potential to contribute to these social structures and rhythms while scaffolding the ties that bind every human being to each other and the world.
Svetlana Dimovski, PCC, NBC-HWC, PhD (USA)
Vice Chair
Svetlana, an executive and team coach, a Kellogg Executive Scholar in Leadership, and a transformational leader, brings 20 years of experience in R&D, strategy design, change management, and innovation leadership including senior leadership positions in Fortune 100 companies and international development non-profit organizations. Svetlana received a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from Drexel University and a postgraduate diploma in digital business from Columbia University/MIT Sloan.
Yene Assegid, MCC, PhD (Belgium/Ethiopia)
Secretary and Global Board Representative
Yene is a seasoned transformational leadership coach and systems thinking practitioner, having supported civil society organizations, United Nations Agencies, European Union Institutions, and multinationals since the mid-1990’s. Her expertise lies in transformational leadership development training programs, blended with leadership coaching for executives and management teams. Her approach is deeply rooted in Integral Theory, Systems Thinking, and Emotional Intelligence. Yene brings extensive international experience from her work around the world. She received a PhD in Transformation, Leader, and Change from the California Institute of Integral Studies.
Kaveh Mir, ACTC, MCC, MBA, MSc, MAPPCP (United Kingdom)
Treasurer
Kaveh served four years as an ICF Global Board professional coach and three years on the ICF UK board before joining the ICF Thought Leadership Institute in January 2024. His coaching expertise has been sought by senior executives from renowned international organizations such as Deloitte, Amazon, HSBC, Novartis, Mars, Google, and Barclays. Kaveh’s role as a tutor, mentor, and assessor at Henley Business School, an honorary lecturer at the University of Liverpool, and a faculty member at the Institute of Strategic Leadership and Coaching (ISLC) in China further solidifies his standing in the field.
Akihiko Monrita, PCC, PhD (Japan)
Akihiko is not only an accomplished professional coach but also a practical philosopher, seamlessly blending academic insights with real-world applications. His diverse background as a Japanese diplomat, United Nations official, and director of an international NGO provides him with unique intercultural perspectives and global expertise. With a PhD in social thought and over a decade of experience as a university professor, Akihiko combines academic rigor with practical coaching methodologies. Learning coaching transformed Akihiko’s life. It helped him release negative thoughts about his past and self-perception, enabling him to embrace a life of positivity and fulfillment. Akihiko’s transformative journey gave him the confidence to believe in himself and live authentically, fueling his passion as a coach to help others unlock their full potential. Outside of coaching, Akihiko enjoys music, cycling, cooking, and reading, which enriches his life with creativity and balance.
Melvin Smith, PhD (USA)
Melvin is a professor in the Department of Organizational Behavior and is faculty director of executive education at the Case Western Reserve University’s Weatherhead School of Management. He is also chairman of the board of the Graduate School Alliance for Education in Coaching (GSAEC). Melvin received his PhD in Organizational Behavior from the University of Pittsburgh. He is co-author (with Richard Boyatzis and Ellen Van Oosten) of the book, Helping People Change: Coaching with Compassion for Lifelong Learning and Growth (Harvard Business Review Press).
Woody Woodward, PCC, PhD (USA)
Woody is a clinical assistant professor of executive coaching at New York University, where he co-founded and now leads the Master of Science in Executive Coaching and Organizational Consulting (ECOC) program. He is author of The YOU Plan and has appeared on the Today Show and CNN among others. Prior to academia, Woody served as an HR consultant for PricewaterhouseCoopers Consulting (PwC) and as a project manager for IBM Business Consulting Services.
Alicia Hullinger, PhD (USA)
Vice President, ICF Thought Leadership Institute
Shweta Handa-Gupta, MCC (India)
Global Board Chair
Magdalena Nowicka Mook (USA)
CEO, ICF
ICF Chapters are led by local ICF Members. Volunteer opportunities vary among chapters but may include serving on a local Chapter board or committee or assisting with local public relations/marketing efforts.
The Chapter Regulatory Liaisons Network gathers input from all over the globe from volunteer Chapter representatives who monitor and discuss regulation issues impacting the coaching profession. Contact ICF Headquarters to volunteer.
ICF Global Communities of Practice (CPs) provide a virtual venue for coaches with a shared interest in a specific topic to advance their professional development; deepen their subject-matter expertise; and share best practices, emerging trends, tools and tips.
Each CP is steered by volunteer co-leaders who help facilitate the learning and organize the conversations, ideas, and trends that emerge from the group. CPs are designed to promote active participation from their members: Sharing and discussion is always encouraged.
Volunteer groups are meant to ensure more effective and efficient decision-making and ensure all ICF volunteer work is tied to the objectives of the Strategic Plan. The Board will create more task forces, panels, and focus groups, as specific needs arise.
If you are interested in serving as a volunteer for a future opportunity, please fill out this form or click the button below.
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