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ICF High Country July 2025 Newsletter Header



President’s Message

July invites us to reflect on freedom, not only as a historical or patriotic ideal, but as a daily practice.


In coaching, freedom shows up when we create space for clients to choose their path, express their values, and rewrite old narratives. It lives in every powerful question, every pause that honors their truth, and every moment of clarity.


Honoring what is while daring to want better for our clients, our communities, and our profession is an act of deep care. It means we see potential, we recognize opportunity, and we are willing to do the work that creates change.


In the midst of hard work and uncertainty, small moments of hope, joy, and connection are not distractions. They are quiet resistance against burnout, despair, disconnection, and the pressure to do more with less.


This month, I invite you to notice the subtle forms of freedom and rebellion woven into your work and daily life. These moments may seem small, but they move us toward greater solidarity and strengthen our belief that change is always possible.


In unity,

Marianna Henry

President, ICF High Country Chapter



Welcome New Members


New Time for Our Next Quarterly Huddle
August 18 at 6:30 PM

We are mixing things up. To better accommodate members with daytime commitments, we will now alternate Quarterly Huddle times between noon and evening.


Our next Huddle will be Monday, August 18 at 6:30 PM, which is a great option for those who have not been able to join us during the day.


These informal gatherings are a great way to connect with fellow ICF High Country members, ask questions, share ideas, and stay in the loop about upcoming events and opportunities. They are also a great fit for anyone considering joining ICF High Country. There is no set agenda. Come as you are for conversation, camaraderie, and community.

Quarterly Huddles are for current and longtime members as well as new members. Everyone is welcome. We cannot wait to see new faces and catch up with familiar ones.



Calendar of Events


Earn Ethics CCEUs
Wednesday, August 13 (1:00–2:30 PM ET)
Ethical Coaching: How to Use the ICF Code of Ethics in Your Coaching Practice
Led by Bonnie Stith, PCC a special virtual session hosted by ICF Ohio Valley:

Participants will engage in interactive discussions, break into case-study groups, and explore how to apply the Standards of Responsibility to the Client, a key focus for ethical practice.


This session provides 1.5 Ethics CCEUs, helping you check an important renewal requirement off your list.


Learn more and register on the Ohio Valley chapter page.



News from ICF and ICF High Country

ICF Converge 2025 Registration Is Now Open

Cheers to 30 years. ICF Converge, our global coaching conference, is now open for registration, and early bird pricing is available for a limited time.


This year’s event promises powerful keynotes, practical learning, and meaningful connections with coaches from around the world.


Our chapter’s own Marianna (President) and Kerri (President-Elect) will be attending and would love to connect with any High Country members who join.



July Events


New Learning Spotlight

“Demystifying AI: What Every Coach Needs to Know”
July 24, 2025 | 10:00–11:00 AM MDT

This free webinar is exclusive to ICF members and is a great fit if you are:

  • Curious or cautious about AI and want a foundational understanding

  • Interested in emerging trends impacting the coaching profession

  • Looking for real-world examples of AI tools used in coaching

  • Open to reflecting on mindset and how AI might integrate into your work

  • A leader or active contributor who values innovation and ethics in practice


What You Will Learn

  • How to define AI in the context of coaching

  • Three to five current coaching-related use cases

  • How to begin envisioning ethical integration into your own practice



ICF Artificial Intelligence Catalyst Series

This webinar is the first installment of the monthly ICF AI Catalyst Series, exploring real-world applications of AI for coaches and how it can elevate your coaching practice in ways that are ethical, creative, and effective.


Rooted in ICF’s commitment to excellence and innovation, each interactive session aims to:

  • Expand AI literacy among coaching professionals

  • Provide practical tools and ethical frameworks for real-world application

  • Build confidence in responsibly integrating AI into coaching practice


You will gain access to expert insights, live demonstrations, and peer discussions in a hands-on learning environment that supports both individual growth and collective advancement. This series is a space for curiosity, connection, and co-creation as we explore the evolving relationship between coaching and technology.



Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Spotlight

DEIB Reflection: Expanding Inclusion Through Curiosity and Connection

July invites us to celebrate connection and community, from the 4th to National Ice Cream Month to International Day of Friendship. What if we looked at these celebrations through a DEIB lens?


Inclusion does not always require grand gestures. It can begin with small, intentional moments of curiosity and kindness. Asking someone about a tradition unfamiliar to you. Inviting a colleague for a casual ice cream catch-up. Sharing space with someone who holds a different worldview. These are powerful acts of belonging.


As coaches, we are uniquely positioned to foster psychological safety and model what inclusive leadership can look like. This month, consider how the theme of forgiveness, honored globally in July, might connect to your DEIB practices:

  • Are there assumptions you have held that need reframing?

  • Are there clients or communities you can more intentionally welcome into your coaching circles?


DEIB work is not about perfection. It is about progress, presence, and a willingness to keep learning.



Membership Spotlight

Interview with Lillian Powell

What inspired you to become a coach, and how has your journey evolved since then Many years as a social-emotional wellness coach for grades K–12 confirmed my belief that there is a level of mental wellness support below therapy that can help so many people understand how and why they think the way they do, and how to foster greater harmony in their lives. Today, I stay busy doing youth resilience coaching in local middle and high schools, coaching clients for a healthcare company that provides EAP resources to employees of major corporations, evaluating new coach practice videos for an accredited ICF-approved certification organization, and coaching clients through my private practice.


What is your coaching philosophy, and how do you help clients achieve meaningful transformation? Listen, listen, listen. Creating a safe, supportive, non-judgmental space is the foundation for robust, productive sessions. I believe most people have the answers within, and those answers can be uncovered through active listening, thoughtful questions, and validation.


What is one piece of advice you would share with other coaches? Actually two things. Practice, practice, practice. And join or create a group of like-minded coaches who meet regularly to support each other and share best practices.


How do you continue to grow as a coach? There are so many amazing thought leaders in the coaching world. Marcia Reynolds is one of my top people. Gabor Maté is also a leader in understanding human behavior. I attended an ICF High Country event that had a profound effect on my coaching philosophy: Using Silence to Maintain Presence and Evoke Awareness.


What do you love most about being part of ICF High Country? It has been wonderful to be part of the ICF High Country community. I have met a few amazing coaches in person, and I treasure the monthly and quarterly meetings, along with the insightful events I have attended.


Learn more or connect

This is the fifth month of our Member Spotlight Series. Watch your inbox for an invitation to participate in a brief interview and share your story. Spotlights are published first come, first served. We cannot wait to celebrate and connect with you.


Volunteering with ICF High Country


If you are interested in being a volunteer ambassador with ICF High Country for your region or state, reach out to Usha Balakrishnan, our Volunteer Coordinator, at volunteercoord@icfhighcountry.org.


We would love to have you join us.



Stay Connected

Follow us on social media and reach out anytime at admin@icfhighcountry.org.

States Served Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming



Our Foundation

Vision

Coaching is an integral part of a thriving society, and every ICF High Country member represents the highest quality of professional coaching.


Mission

ICF High Country provides programs, opportunities, and community to cultivate the growth of coaching and coaching professionals across our region.


Values Community

Sharing knowledge and experience to grow together.

Inclusiveness – A safe, collaborative space that welcomes diverse perspectives.

Professionalism – Upholding the highest ethical and professional standards of ICF.


 
 
 

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