ICF Thought Leadership Institute Board of Directors

Envisioning a global hub for human development process and practice innovation, the ICF Thought Leadership Institute’s (TLI) mission is to reveal and lead how coaching contributes to Prosperity, Peace, and Partnership for People and Planet in a sustainable way. Our mission supports contributing to the United Nations Action Plan for Sustainability. 

ICF Thought Leadership Institute is looking for individuals from diverse backgrounds, and with varied skill sets, perspectives, and voices to help ICF Thought Leadership Institute fulfill its strategic vision. Individuals who are inspired by our mission and have a high level of energy and creativity to make it happen should apply. We are looking for individuals who are motivated to contribute their expertise to grow ICF Thought Leadership Institute’s capacity and impact. And, we seek individuals with a willingness to contribute to envisioning the future of coaching.

ICF Thought Leadership Institute is currently in year three of its three-year Strategic Plan (FY2021 – FY2023) for Experimenting, Testing, and Prototyping our Core Services Methods along with Building Capacity as a new, start-up family organization of the International Coaching Federation (ICF). There will be at least (2) two open positions for the ICF Thought Leadership Institute Board of Directors starting in January 2023. 

While all individuals with an interest in serving ICF Thought Leadership Institute are welcome to apply, this year we are particularly interested in candidates who can bring specific expertise to complement our work. For the upcoming nominations cycle, we are seeking individuals who have experience in human development or learning. In addition, we will prioritize candidates who have experience in one or more of the following areas:  

1. Connector (to ICF): ICF member who has a working knowledge of the One ICF ecosystem or its historical foundations. 
2. Scholar-Practitioner: Academic researcher who is practicing coaching with the purpose to create practical knowledge, skills, and tools that can impact real-world applications, i.e. research-to-practice, e.g. participatory action research. 
3. Innovator: A person who applies design thinking to introduce new ideas, methods, programs, or products. 
4. Networker (to Market): A person who has business contacts to make possible connections to support our work. 

To be eligible to serve on the board, please review the following requirements:

Board Criteria

1. We begin with candidates who have a passion for the future of coaching and in looking for ways to have coaching lead the future.
2. Directors may be active (but not a board member) in one of the FOs or a member of the public at large.
3. Be recognized as thought-leaders in areas including and other than coaching by their respective organizations or fields, academic or otherwise.
4. Be objective and unaffiliated with organizations considered unsuitable for partnership due to their values or activities.

Experience

1. Significant involvement and proven leadership in creating a thought leading project or institute, ideally to have the regional or global reputation of being a thought leader.
2. Knowledge of and experience in the ICF and/or coaching
3. Experience in acquiring and/or managing funding: grant, corporate and/or academic partnership, sponsorships
4. Experience and influence on a global level
5. Experience and influence in the research/academia world
6. A network of thought leaders, academics and researchers

Competencies

1. Innovation
2. Conceptual thinking
3. Entrepreneurship
4. Ability to bring an idea to market
5. Ability to connect and leverage different fields of knowledge
6. Capable thought leader for trend spotting and horizon scanning

Universal Competencies for All ICF Boards of Directors and Trustees

1. Business and financial acumen 
2. Problem-solving skills 
3. Analytical and systems thinking 
4. Relationship building and self-management 
5. Leadership experience in complex organizations 
6. Global cultural awareness and experience 
7. ICF knowledge and interest 
8. Communication skills 
9. Strong ethical governance 
10. Ability to identify and articulate opportunity 
11. Values are consistent with organization’s values 
12. Collaborator and consensus builder 
13. Experience engaging a volunteer workforce 
14. Successful practice of performance management

ICF Thought Leadership Institute’s Board of Directors is a governance board in a start-up stage of development. This means that in addition to being fiduciary guardians of this 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, our board members roll up their sleeves, put on their thinking caps, and dedicate a good portion of their time taking an active role on one or more of our board committees or task forces. 

As a governance board in start-up phase, Board Directors are expected to dedicate about 5-10 hours per month working on ICF Thought Leadership Institute business. This includes attending a monthly conference call with fellow board members, in addition to other committee or task force meetings and follow-up tasks related to those functions.  

Board members are expected to attend one (1) annual board meeting in person: time of year and location to be determined. ICF Thought Leadership Institute shall offer each board member compensation to cover travel related expenses to attend the annual in-person board meeting. It will also fully cover expenses related to any necessary board retreat. Such retreats, for instance a strategic planning retreat that occurs every three years, are in addition to the annual in-person board meetings.  

Once appointed, Board Directors serve a two-year term and not more than two consecutive terms before a one-year break in Board service. For reference, we invite you to familiarize yourself with our Bylaws.  

Our Onboarding Handbook outlines the expectations and responsibilities of board members:  

• 5 – 10 hours of ICF Thought Leadership Institute-related work per month, depending on activities; 
• Play an active leadership role in delivering on our overall strategy in general and on assigned strategic priorities specifically; 
• Attend and prepare for each board meeting; 
• Be prepared and willing to lead the board and/or a committee and/or a task force; 
• Join and participate actively in the activities of at least one committee or task force; 
• Follow, participate, and contribute to online board discussions in a timely manner; 
• Make every reasonable effort to bring financial support to the organization annually from external sources, e.g. identify and introduce sponsor prospects and secure sponsorships; 
• Leverage personal relationships with others (including corporations, professional service firms, vendors, foundations, and individuals) to assist the staff of the organization with implementing fundraising strategies, including adding names of potential sources of support to the organization’s mailing list; 
• Actively participate in ICF Thought Leadership Institute fundraising efforts; 
• Attend one (1) annual board meeting in person: time of year and location to be determined as we transition into the Post-COVID era. ICF Thought Leadership Institute will cover related travel expenses for board members;  
• Directors cannot be compensated.

Anna Gallotti, MA, MCC (France and USA)
Chair

Donna P.A. Eiby, MBA (Australia)
Vice Chair

Pinar Dolen, MBA (Switzerland)
Treasurer

Silvia Tassarotti, MBA, MCC (Italy)
Secretary and Global Board Representative

Richard Boyatzis, Ph.D., BCC (USA)

José Miguel Justel, Ph.D., MCC (Puerto Rico)

Marcus Ranney, MBBS BSc (India)

Ex-Officio

Alicia Hullinger, Ph.D. (USA)
Executive Director/ Vice President, ICF Thought Leadership Institute

Dumisani Magadlela, PhD (South Africa)
Global Board Chair

Magdalena Nowicka Mook (USA)
CEO, ICF