PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE Building Community and Leadership: What’s Ahead This Spring March 2026
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Dear Coaching Community, As we approach the completion of our first year working together as a Board, it is a good moment to reflect on the three strategic pillars that have guided our work this year:
- Building and Nurturing a Thriving Chapter
- Advancing Member Accreditation and Future-Ready Coaching Practices
- Advocating Awareness of the Coaching Profession & Promoting Local ICF Toronto Coaches
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Many of the programs, partnerships, and initiatives you’ve seen this year have been shaped through these pillars, and we remain committed to continuing this work together with our members and volunteers. I am deeply grateful to our Board members who have thoughtfully ideated, piloted, and implemented many of these initiatives with great care and dedication : Isabelle, Denise, Natalie, Yeugenia, Hiba, Suzanne, Komal, Kelly, Amy, Leo and Andy 👏😊.
One example of this work in action is a pro-bono engagement with a not-for-profit organization, where members can contribute through thought leadership and facilitation. Over the past year, under the CEI portfolio, we’ve built capacity in facilitation and knowledge sharing, while our diverse outreach partnerships have helped bring coaching-informed practices to diverse communities and raise awareness about the value of coaching. This initiative combines these efforts. More information is available in this newsletter.
International Coaching Week (ICW) is coming up in May, bringing our community together to showcase the value of coaching while creating spaces to connect and co-learn. We always appreciate the energy and participation of our members during this week. You will find more details in this newsletter, with additional information to follow in upcoming communications.
We’ve also begun preparations for this year’s Annual Awards. Start thinking about nominations, and keep an eye out for more information to follow in upcoming communications.
As part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen chapter operations, and in response to member feedback and experience, as well as our review of evolving operational needs, we will be seeking a new Administrative Management Company or Virtual Assistant to support our work. If you know someone you’ve worked with who would be a strong fit for our community, I warmly welcome your recommendations.
Finally, I would like to remind members about the Special Meeting on March 25, where we will be voting on the proposed Board slate. More details are available in this month’s newsletter, and you should have also received a dedicated email earlier this month. Voting as a member helps keep the chapter moving forward, and we are deeply grateful to those who step forward to serve. Your time, energy, and leadership enable us to continue this important work and grow our community.
Thank you, as always, for your ongoing support and engagement. Wishing you a wonderful spring ahead.
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IN THIS ISSUE | March 2026
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News and Announcements
Coaching Community Notices
Ads
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We invite you to join us virtually on March 25th for a Special Members Meeting. This year’s meeting will be held online at 6:00 pm for the purpose of appointing three (3) new Directors to the Board.
Given that three Director terms conclude on March 31, 2026 and we have three additional vacancies, and in accordance with the Ontario Not‑for‑Profit Corporations Act, 2010 (ONCA)—which requires that Directors of a membership‑based organization be elected or appointed by the Members unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation or by-laws —the Board of Directors is seeking to appoint the three Directors prior to the start of the upcoming fiscal year and ahead of the Annual Meeting in September.
For more information and to register, click on the link below. Important: If you are unable to attend, you can still vote by proxy on the motions to be presented.
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Pro Bono Facilitation Opportunity Community Professional Development Event
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As part of our continued effort to bring diverse professional opportunities to ICF Toronto members, we are pleased to share a facilitation opportunity that extends beyond traditional coaching engagements.
ICF Toronto has been invited to support a leading community support organization in delivering an impactful Professional Development Day for their frontline staff. This organization is widely recognized for its high-impact, culturally responsive services that support newcomers, families, women, and seniors across diverse communities.
We are now seeking an experienced coach to facilitate a ~1-hour session (estimated 100–150 participants) on one of the following topics:
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Facilitation Topics (facilitator choice):
- Emotional Intelligence for Career Growth
- From Tension to Teamwork: Conflict Resolution Skills
- Team Harmony: Emotions in the Workplace
Session Expectations:
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A client-centered, engaging facilitation (50 minutes), with an initial brief introduction to coaching practice and its value in workplace wellbeing (10 minutes).
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Include brief reflection or activity prompts, such as:
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What does a supportive team response look like when someone is visibly overwhelmed or emotionally impacted?
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How might a person’s emotional response at work be shaped by experiences outside of work that we may not see?
This pro bono opportunity offers a meaningful way to represent ICF Toronto in a high-visibility community setting, while contributing to the development of frontline professionals serving diverse communities.
Interested?
Please email a short expression of interest along with your resume to Leo Liu (Director of Diverse Outreach and Partnerships) with your relevant experience and preferred topic.
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Courage in Action Pro Bono Coaching Initiative (January - March 2026)
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As the pilot project supporting members of Courage in Action comes to a close at the end of this month, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the coaches who stepped forward to participate in this pro bono coaching initiative.
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In this first round, we were able to successfully match 36 coaches with Courage in Action members. While we were unable to match everyone who volunteered, we have retained the list of interested coaches and will reach out as new opportunities become available. One such opportunity came through the nonprofit “Coaching Youth Forward,” introduced to us by Ludo Pasquereau.
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Over the past two months, we also hosted “Trauma Awareness in Coaching” sessions for coaches supporting Courage in Action members and launched a Community of Practice to foster shared learning. The response has been extremely positive, and the insights gained from this pilot will help shape future community impact initiatives.
A special thank you to Suzanne B. Jones, Director of Coaching Entrepreneurship & Impact (Learning & Development Team), who initiated this series and facilitated the sessions together with Ferris Amaro MACP(Q). We are exploring ways to continue and expand the session in the near future.
We continue to explore partnerships with nonprofit organizations in our communities. If you know of a nonprofit that could benefit from volunteer coaching, please contact me at amy@icftoronto.com.
For our coaches volunteering their time in this project, we will reach out in separate emails on feedback survey and to invite you for a Project End Reflect session planned in April.
Thank you again for your commitment to coaching excellence and community impact. This initiative is just the beginning of what we can accomplish together!
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International Coaching Week 2026 (May 11–17)
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Thanks to the strong support of the ICF Toronto Chapter community, we achieved record numbers last year in both events hosted and pro bono coaching hours contributed across Canadian communities.
This year, we hope to build on that momentum by expanding our presence in the community and increasing awareness of professional coaching. Achieving this goal will only be possible with the support and participation of our chapter members.
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We are currently in the planning phase, and more details will be shared soon on how members can apply to present sessions hosted by the ICF Toronto Chapter. Presenters will receive administrative support, virtual event hosting assistance, and promotional support.
We are also excited to introduce new initiatives this year, and also hub events designed to expand engagement and community impact.
ICF Toronto is committed to providing more opportunities to showcase the talent and expertise of our coaches during ICW 2026. Priority will be given to members who have not presented at previous ICW events in case we receive more requests than the slots we have.
We will also be seeking volunteers to help support these events during International Coaching Week.
Please consider contributing your time by signing up through the volunteer form HERE.
Stay tuned for more information in upcoming communications and the April newsletter.
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RRU Coaching Alumni: Celebrate 25 Years!
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Are you part of the Royal Roads coaching community? Join us May 1–3 for RRU Alumni Weekend. On Sunday, May 3, we’ll celebrate 25 years of Executive Coaching with a day of learning, connection, and community. Reconnect with fellow alumni, faculty, and practitioners shaping the future of coaching. Learn more here!
MA in Executive and Organizational Coaching
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NEW ICF TORONTO CHAPTER MEMBERS! We're thrilled to have you as part of our coaching community.
We look forward to an exciting journey ahead with you.
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Kathryn Adamo Kadine Cooper Krish Dhir Michael Goodson Racquel Haywood
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Krista Larson Etienne LeSage Laura Moore Mirisa Prasin Barbara Young
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As a new ICF Toronto Chapter member, we’d love to hear your feedback! Please take a few minutes to complete our survey by clicking HERE.
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The ICF Toronto Chapter has an exciting lineup of events in the coming months! From engaging community hubs and peer coaching to new-member coffee chats, member spotlights and more. We’re continually adding new opportunities designed to support your professional development and strengthen our coaching community. There’s something for every coach looking to learn, connect, and grow!
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By participating, you’ll not only enhance your skills and earn valuable learning hours, but also build meaningful relationships within a supportive and collaborative community.
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Explore the calendar below for March and April, or click on it to view the live calendar, register for upcoming sessions, and see what’s coming up in the months ahead. Stay informed and never miss an event! 👇
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- January 9 - July 10, 2026 | The Neuro-Affirmative Mentor Coaching Circle Elevating Coaching Excellence | The Neuro-Affirmative Mentor Coaching Circle is group Mentor Coaching for competency and inclusion designed to elevate coaching excellence through a neuro-affirming Lens
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
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- January 14 - March 25, 2026 | CEI: Facilitators’ Community of Practice: From 1-1 to Many | A reflective, practice-based learning arc for coaches who facilitate groups, teams, and systems | CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
- NEXT SESSION - March 19, 2026 | Navigating Ethical Dilemmas - Safe space for coaches to share, ask and learn | ICF Toronto is excited to launch a new series in 2026 on Navigating Ethical Dilemmas in collaboration with Jenny Barkan, ACC, member of the Independent Review Board (IRB) that oversees ICF’s Ethical Conduct Review (ECR) process, Leadership Coach, Facilitator, Speaker, Mentor Coach | CLICK HERE TO READ MORE and check out the event calendar for future dates in this series!
- March 19, 2026 | Member Coffee Chat | We’re excited to invite our members to an informal Coffee Chat — a chance to connect, learn more about your local coaching community, and discover how the Chapter can support your growth and engagement as a coach | CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
- March 19, 2026 | North York Hub | Join Silke Henke, PCC and Paula Seligman, PCC and connect with fellow coaches to network and discuss relevant topics | CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
- March 25, 2026 | The Newmarket/Aurora Hub | Join us for the opportunity to connect with fellow coaches to network and discuss relevant topics with like-minded individuals | CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
- March 25, 2026 | Special Members Meeting | We invite you to join us virtually for a Special Members Meeting. This year’s meeting will be held online at 6:00 pm for the purpose of appointing three (3) new Directors to the Board | CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
- March 26, 2026 | Community of Practice, Science & Spirituality - Why Coaches Need To Study Philosophy (At Least A Little Bit) | The session will be led by Julian Humphreys, a Toronto-based Master Certified Coach (MCC) who has spent the past decade working with senior leaders across North America, Europe, and the Middle East | CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
- April 1, 2026 | Spring Ahead: A Journaling Session - CEI Reflection Hour | Join us for a short, intentional pause to reflect on the season your work is entering as a coach or practitioner | CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
- April 8, 2026 | Pitch Practice Lab - the first of two sessions (next session: April 15, 2026) | Join us for a guided practice space to develop and articulate the work you are building as a coach or practitioner | CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
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- April 15, 2026 | ICF Toronto Reciprocal Peer Coaching Program: Cohort #2 Kickoff Call Reciprocal (peer) coaching is a process where professional coaches partner, alternating roles as coach and coachee in a collaborative, confidential environment. It involves coaches working together as equals, supporting each other’s development | CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
- April 16, 2026 | Member Coffee Chat | We’re excited to invite our members to an informal Coffee Chat — a chance to connect, learn more about your local coaching community, and discover how the Chapter can support your growth and engagement as a coach |
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
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Don't forget to click on the event calendar above to view the full list of upcoming events!
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Are you running an event, workshop or seminar that you would like to promote in our monthly newsletter? This is an ideal way to get your
message into the coaching community and beyond! Find out how you can submit your event (free of charge for ICF Toronto members who have
paid the Activity Fee):
Submission Guidelines.
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To view our current Coaching Community Notices, click below:
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