ICF New Jersey Coach Connect - September 2025

Highlights from the Town Hall

Hi ICF New Jersey Members,

On September 11, the ICF New Jersey Charter Chapter gathered for our third-quarter Town Hall. Here are some highlights from the meeting, which focused on transparency, celebrating member wins, and looking ahead together as a community.

Board members shared their areas of focus from building partnerships, strengthening credentialing support, creating space for members to connect, targeting technology improvements to support member experience, and integrating the principles of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Solidarity (IDEAS) into the fabric of our chapter.

Member “wins” were celebrated, including those who launched coaching practices to those earning new credentials. Members were encouraged to keep sharing successes with the Chapter, as these are the stories that strengthen the community’s fabric.

With transformation as the guiding theme, the chapter continues to evolve through four strategic focus areas: Governance and Operations, Technology, Engagement, and Credentialing Support rooted in IDEAS. We picked transformation because shift happens. Our coaching landscape is changing, and so are we.

Debbie Godfrey, VP of Strategic Partnerships, shared that the ongoing efforts to promote coaching and the chapter have been gaining ground, both within the state and to wider audiences. Through strategic relationships with leading organizations like NJBIZ, community organizations, and corporate HR departments, our chapter is amplifying the impact of coaching. Watch for a professional video to be released soon to help communicate the value of coaching and connect more people to the ICF New Jersey community.

Past President Kathleen Cashman Walter described the impact of intentional generosity through the Random Acts of Kindness Summer Challenge. With an emphasis on the importance of self-care, the board modeled a “purposeful pause” over the summer as a reminder that rest and wellbeing fuel sustained leadership and progress.

Looking forward, the chapter is preparing for new leadership roles, enhanced programming, more community groups, and ongoing opportunities for members to co-create the future.

Our Town Hall reminded us that transformation doesn’t happen all at once. It happens through people showing up, sharing, and choosing to get involved. As a member-driven organization, we are empowered by each of you.

Ready to “get in where you fit in”? Find upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and member resources at ICF New Jersey’s website – www.icf-nj.org. Be sure to vote on the pending bylaw changes (look for an email from us) and mark your calendar for Coachesgiving on November 12th at Maggiano’s in Bridgewater, NJ!

Read more in the September Town Hall blog.
Listen to the recording for full details.

Warmly,

Kelli Kombat
President, ICF New Jersey

Member Spotlight

Member Engagement is shining a spotlight on our incredible coaches and their stories, opening opportunity to get curious about our members. Our goal is to share stories and insights to build connections and inspire engagement. Click on the image below to find out more about Ellen Wagner.

IDEAS Matter

The DEIB/IDEAS Advisory Council has been out on a “purposeful pause” in July and August. I trust you had an opportunity to refresh and begin again as the seasons change.

We are ready to rock and roll with new Fall and Winter initiatives. We personally welcome you to join us at our next meeting if you are interested in making a difference and having an impact beyond your clients. Details will be posted soon on the ICF New Jersey Upcoming Events page.

This month Dorisse Shakir-Ullah completed the five-month journey of bringing IDEAS to life to familiarize people with values and behaviors of each letter for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Solidarity. The infographic spells out the behaviors and actions that the DEIB/IDEAS Advisory Council is committed to consciously embed into the culture of the ICF New Jersey Charter Chapter.

We aspire for every member to say with confidence that we use IDEAS as a North Star for how we coach our clients. And this is also true for how we experience engagement with the ICF New Jersey Charter Chapter, as an organization and with fellow members, where we are the clients or “customers.”

The strategy to accelerate change we used is to partner with the Board, the Program Committee, Communications, and Member Engagement. The Board ratified the vision and values of IDEAS under Kelli Kombat and Walter Slade’s leadership in 2024.
In 2025, the IDEAS Matter page was established for a DEIB presence on the ICF-NJ.org website, opening a pathway for effective communication.
We started a DEIB column in the ICF New Jersey Coach Connect newsletter, and over five months, we introduced IDEAS to familiarize people with the values and behaviors embedded within them.
Tynisha Coleman, Chair, and Patricia “Patti” Lee from the DEIB/IDEAS Advisory Council, along with Beth Renga from Chapter Programs, completed the Request for Proposal project with the Chapter Programs committee and recently handed the process over to them. We have currently begun to invite our ICF members to complete the application for speaking engagements beginning January 2026.
In 2024, Walter Slade and the DEIB/IDEAS Advisory Council partnered with Dr. Aikyna Finch of ICF Global who presented an online workshop on organizational DEI.
For 2025, education continues to be a priority. Our focus will be on individual growth. We are delighted to bring back Dr. Aikyna Finch for the workshop From Barrier to Bridges: Practical Tools for Coaching Across Age, Race, and Identity. The interactive, online workshop will be Tuesday, October 28, 2025, from 6:00-7:30 pm ET. Dr. Finch has designed an interactive workshop that includes practical learning, tools, and practice application with peers. Registration will open soon.
At our next DEIB/IDEAS meeting, we will share potential recommendations for action that emerged from the ISO organizational audit Kelli and I conducted. Priorities range from strengthening communication, collecting data, evaluating its impact, and providing more education. The Advisory Council will review the IDEAS infographic and the ISO recommendations in addition to other suggestions for our Winter/Spring initiatives.
Some suggestions for new initiatives are to develop a hotline, resource groups, or new means of communication and engagement with Membership and Chapter Programs. There are many possibilities, and we need your help to make them happen.

We warmly welcome new members into our fold. There is a great deal of impact waiting for you when you join. When you are ready to take the next step or have any questions, reach out to me at [email protected].

Rise Up,
Your Voice Matters,
You Matter.

Dr. Mindy Gewirtz, MCC
VP of DEIB/IDEAS Advisory Council
[email protected]

DEIB/IDEAS Advisory Council
Tynisha Coleman, RFP Pod Chair
Kelli Kombat, ISO Pod Chair
Patricia “Patti” Lee, RFP Pod
Linda Leonard, Education Pod
Walter Slade, Community Group Leader and Culture Change Pod Chair
Ellen Wagner, Community Group leader and Culture Change Pod
Dorisse Shakir-Ullah, Communication and Culture Change Pod

Bringing IDEAS to Life: Practical Approaches in Coaching

The IDEAS/DEIB Committee’s mission is to embed the values, behaviors, and activities associated with DEIB into the culture of the ICF New Jersey Charter Chapter. It is part of our strategic plan that drives our transformation! The IDEAS/DEIB Committee and Community Group members explore the final column of IDEAS with the letter S, which stands for Solidarity.

We shaped the IDEAS series, one letter at a time, to explore the relevance of coaching clients, fostering engagement, and integrating the values and behavior anchors into our chapter’s culture. We aspire to create spaces where every member feels seen, heard, valued, respected, and diversity of every kind is welcomed.

Explore these common behaviors for the letter S for Solidarity:

Build Trust and Support Each Other

Build trust by doing what you say you will do and honoring confidentiality.
Support each other as a community, acknowledging that differences are additive and celebrating the unique experiences of each member.

Practice Empathy and Active Listening

Practice empathy by putting yourself in others' shoes and understanding their perspectives.
Listen actively without interrupting and show interest in others' experiences.

Address Misunderstandings and Disagreements

Address misunderstandings and resolve disagreements promptly.
Work to create an environment where conflicts are managed constructively, and all voices are heard.

In conclusion of Bringing IDEAS to Life series, we invite you to become part of the transformation by using them on your journey with intention. As you reflect on the infographic, how do these behaviors and/or ones you name show up in your coaching practice, your conversations, and your leadership?

Click here or on the image below to go to read more about our DEIB/IDEAS initiative.

Your DEIB/IDEAS Advisory Committee:

Tynisha Coleman
Patricia “Patti” Lee
Linda Leonard
Malina Poshtova Delamere
Walter Slade
Ellen Wagner
Dorisse Shakir-Ullah

Check out all IDEAS resources on our website: IDEAS Matter.

See all Global DEIB events, groups, and resources in ICF ENGAGE: https://engage.coachingfederation.org/communities/communities-deib

To view, login is required.

Credentialing Corner

Did You Know?

➡️Core Competencies - Updated!

ICF Global has updated the Core Competencies. See the link below for more details.

https://coachingfederation.org/resource/icf-core-competencies/

Keep an eye out for the Q&A sessions to be hosted by ICF Global in October.

➡️Pilot of New Credentialing Exam

ICF announced on August 27, 2025, that it is piloting a new exam experience for MCC and PCC candidates that reflects the evolving coaching landscape. This updated format incorporates the revised Core Competencies and is grounded in fairness and clarity, offering a more accessible path to credentialing. The ICF Credentialing Exam Pilot begins November 17 for MCC and PCC candidates.

Key updates in the pilot exam:

Incorporates the updated ICF Core Competencies and Code of Ethics.
Adds knowledge-based multiple-choice questions alongside situational judgment questions, improving clarity and reducing mental fatigue.

Additional information can be found at https://coachingfederation.org/blog/credentialing-exam-pilot-mcc-pcc/

Have a question on credentialing? Please contact Joyce Heckman, Director of Credentialing at [email protected].

2025 NJBIZ Leading Women in Business: A Night of Celebration for ICF New Jersey Members

On August 19th at The Palace at Somerset Park, Carmela O’Flaherty and I stood with New Jersey’s business community to celebrate the 2025 NJBIZ Leading Women in Business. It was a memorable moment to cheer on two members of our ICF New Jersey Charter Chapter family, Dana Lynn Bernstein and Dr. Mindy L. Gewirtz, whose leadership I admire every day. Following an open nomination process, a panel of independent judges evaluated hundreds of submissions using a point-based system to select 66 New Jersey’s leading women in business. The winners ranged from a diverse range of professions, industries and backgrounds. Full list of honorees: NJBIZ.

The evening’s atmosphere was filled with pride as names were called and stories were shared. As I listened to their vignettes, insights and experiences, a quote by Michelle Obama about the true meaning of success flooded my mind. “Success isn’t about how much money you make. It’s about the difference you make in people’s lives,” she said. The “difference makers” received lots of cheers, hugs, and respect for the amazing, purposeful impact made in business and the community throughout New Jersey. It was a memorable experience to be part of.

Read more for Dana and Mindy’s inspiring stories.

How Healthy Is Your Coach Profile?

Complete Your ICF New Jersey Coach & Business Profile

Fellow Coaches,

Since you are already part of ICF New Jersey Charter Chapter, a vibrant community of over 650+ coaches, how about maximizing your membership?

If you haven’t already, take a moment to complete your coach profile in our “Find a Coach” directory. Don’t sleep on reviving your profile now! See it as your opportunity to:

✅ Be discovered by potential clients

✅ Showcase your niche and specialties

✅ Build connections with fellow coaches

✅ Align your brand with a globally respected coaching community

A completed profile increases your visibility, credibility, and connection for the future.

Update Your Profile Now

Take action today! Open a path to be noticed, known, or referred. Complete your coach profile in the ICF New Jersey “Find A Coach” directory. Direct questions to [email protected] – we are here to help!

Warmly,

Dorisse Shakir-Ullah & Lisa Chenofsky Singer
VPs of Membership

Calling All Volunteer Speakers!

SPEAKING OPPORTUNITY ALERT! Are you a coaching expert who is also a public speaker? We want to hear from you!

The ICF New Jersey Chapter Programs Committee is planning a series of exciting, informative, and helpful webinars in 2026 that aim to deepen coaches' knowledge and spark growth in the following areas:

✔️ Coaching Across Cultures and Languages