- Marianna Henry, PCC
- May 1, 2025
- 5 min read
President’s Message
May is a season of emergence and growth. Behind the scenes, your Board of Directors has been tending the roots of our chapter, and we’re excited to share what has been taking shape.
We’re kicking off the month with a major milestone: the launch of our new website and membership platform through StarChapter. This new bloom reflects months of thoughtful planning and collaboration, resulting in a system designed to better serve you and support connection across our community.
We are also entering an important period of structural transition. Historically, ICF High Country has operated on a June–May term year. Beginning in June 2025, we will shift to a calendar-year model to align with ICF Global and better support our members. The upcoming term will span June 2025 through December 2026 as we make this transition.
Change of this scale requires care, adaptability, and collaboration. Some board members have recommitted to continuing or evolving roles, while others have made space for new directions and opportunities.
With deep gratitude, we recognize Nichole Walters, Emily Argyle, and Shamie Emerson for their service and commitment over the past year. While we will miss them on the board, their contributions and vision will continue to shape our chapter.
Even in uncertain times, there is much to appreciate. Let’s honor what is blooming within our chapter and the thoughtful hands helping it grow. And with that in mind, please be sure to vote in our Board Elections later this month. Your voice helps shape the path forward.
Marianna Henry
President, ICF High Country Chapter
Upcoming Board Elections
Call for Nominations Ending Soon
Nominations are now open for the ICF High Country Board of Directors (2025–2026). We invite your participation and leadership.
Open Position
DEIB Chair (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging)
Term: June 1, 2025 – December 31, 2026
Time commitment: Up to 10 hours per month (including meetings)
Focus: Supporting the development, promotion, and integration of DEIB practices that enhance member experience, champion access to coaching, and positively influence the profession.
Key Dates
Call for Nominations: April 23 – May 2
Candidate Review & Interviews: May 3 – 7
Member Voting Period: May 12 – 23
New Term Begins: June 1
If you are interested, please submit the Candidate Nomination Form by Friday, May 2. Full position descriptions and election details are available on our website and in the chapter bylaws.
Change Is Coming
Our new website and membership platform will launch in early May. Watch your inbox for login credentials and a personal welcome to the new system. This platform offers easier navigation, improved access to information, and a smoother experience when registering for events and programs. If you have questions, we’re here to help.
May Chapter Events
Panel Discussion
Unlocking Success: The Coaching Impact on Organizational Growth
Tuesday, May 14 | 12:00–1:00 PM MT
Join four expert coaches for a dynamic panel on leveraging professional coaching to strengthen people and performance.
You’ll learn how coaching can:
Build leadership pipelines and improve retention
Enhance collaboration, communication, and trust
Boost engagement, well-being, and productivity
Drive innovation and agility
Foster sustainable workplace cultures
Walk away with practical insights you can apply immediately—whether you lead a startup, nonprofit, university department, or Fortune 500 team.
Reserve your free spot today and share with your network.
Coaches Connect
Wednesday, May 7 | 12:00–1:00 PM MT
Coaches Connect is designed to build relationships, deepen coaching skills, foster partnerships, and provide mentoring and support. These sessions offer space to connect, learn, and grow in both coaching and business development.
Cost: Free for members $10 for non-members
Facilitator: Kerri Sutey, ACCEvents Chair
Quarterly Huddle
May 19
Our quarterly virtual gathering offers a chance to meet board members, connect with peers, learn about chapter resources, and explore ways to get involved.
Thank you to everyone who joined us in February. The Huddle Challenge invited members to choose one marketing approach, apply it for three months, and report back on results.
Register now for May 19 and continue the conversation.
Help Us Grow Our Social Media Presence
Please follow us on our platforms and engage with our posts. Likes, comments, and reviews help more coaches find our community.
Membership Spotlight
Jennifer Dougherty, EdD, ACC, CPTM
Jennifer Dougherty brings a deep background in organizational leadership, training, and holistic coaching to her work. Inspired early by workplace dynamics and guided by mentors in leadership development, Jennifer found her way to coaching through both academic and professional exploration.
Her coaching philosophy centers on whole-person development, recognizing that personal and professional lives are deeply interconnected. By creating space for clients to show up fully and authentically, Jennifer supports lasting transformation that enhances well-being, clarity, and aligned action.
Jennifer is a lifelong learner who values peer coaching, supervision, and continued education. Influenced by systems thinking, energy leadership, adult development theory, and the work of Brené Brown and Simon Sinek, she brings depth and intentionality to her coaching practice.
Learn more:
Website: https://www.doughertycoaching.com
This marks the third month of our Membership Spotlight Series. If you’d like to be featured, keep an eye on your inbox for upcoming invitations.
Member Leadership Spotlight
Dr. Melissa Steach, PhD, ACC
Membership Co-Chair, ICF High Country
Dr. Melissa Steach is an award-winning artist, bestselling author, industrial-organizational psychologist, and leadership coach dedicated to helping work work well. Her expertise spans CBT for coaching, neuro-leadership, positive psychology, ergonomics, and well-being design.
Melissa’s research on implicit cognition and bias, including training hiring managers to effectively use AI tools, has been presented at SIOP and ODAM. Her LinkedIn Learning course, Compassionate Leadership, has reached more than 27,000 learners.
Melissa describes her niche as Work/Life Alignment, viewing work as both an entry point to and facilitator of a meaningful life. Her 2025 goal is simple and powerful: to stop struggling with labels and fully embrace doing the work.
Volunteers Wanted
Interested in connecting coaches in your local area? We are seeking state ambassadors to help coordinate regional connections.
If you’re interested, contact Shamie at volunteercoord@icfhighcountry.org..
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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