ICFTN Member Celebration: Chris Berry, MBA, PMP, ACC

What are you most proud of in your coaching practice?

I’m most proud that I had the courage to pursue opportunities that aligned with my values and the kind of impact I wanted to make. I was intentional about positioning myself for coaching and facilitation opportunities while continuing to prepare myself for when those opportunities came along.

I’ve learned that sometimes you have to position yourself before the opportunity is visible. At the same time, you have to keep preparing so that when the right opportunity comes along, there is a natural alignment between your preparation, your values, and the work you are being called to do.

For me, that has been part of my own becoming journey. I took a chance on myself, invested in my growth, and created space to pursue work that allows me to help others recognize and bring forward the potential, wisdom, and resilience they already possess. That’s what I’m most proud of, and it’s what continues to inspire me about this work.

What are some of the most important lessons you’ve personally learned through your coaching?

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that we don’t grow in isolation. Community and connection have been pillars of my own coaching journey, and I’ve benefited tremendously from being surrounded by people who share similar aspirations and who are willing to challenge, encourage, and inspire me.

I’ve also learned the importance of intentional positioning and preparation. Sometimes we have to be willing to step toward opportunities before we can see exactly where they will lead. When we know what matters most to us and are intentional about pursuing opportunities that align with our values, we are better able to recognize opportunities that feel purposeful when they come along.

I’ve also learned how powerful it can be to connect people and create opportunities for collaboration. There is so much wisdom and possibility in bringing the right people together. As coaches, we have an opportunity not only to support individual growth, but also to help strengthen the communities and connections around us.

What advice would you give a new coach?

Write the vision, stay connected to your “why,” and find a community that will challenge and inspire you.

I’d also encourage new coaches to trust the value of their own lived experience. Continue developing your coaching craft, but remember that your experiences, perspective, curiosity, and personality are also part of what you bring to the coaching relationship.

Be intentional about positioning yourself for the opportunities that align with your values, but remember that positioning and preparation go hand in hand. Keep learning, keep growing, and keep preparing so that when the right opportunity comes along, you are ready for it.

What does coaching mean for you?

In many ways, coaching feels like ministry to me. It’s a joy and a privilege to be a thought partner for my clients.

I believe people are capable of discovering their own answers when they have the space to think honestly and deeply. My role isn’t to tell clients who to be or what decisions to make. It’s to listen, ask thoughtful questions, challenge assumptions when appropriate, and help them reconnect with what matters most.

Whether I’m working with an executive, entrepreneur, emerging leader, or someone navigating a career transition, I want clients to leave our conversations with greater clarity, intention, and confidence.

For me, coaching is about transformation that lasts. It’s about helping people navigate change with resilience, recognize their own capacity, and move forward in a way that is aligned with who they are and what matters most to them.

What would you like other coaches and potential clients to know about you?

What I bring to coaching is a combination of professional coaching expertise, lived leadership experience, and a genuine love for people and connection.

I’m an Associate Certified Coach through the International Coaching Federation, with advanced certifications in executive coaching and positive psychology. I also continue to lead IT initiatives across complex organizational environments while growing my coaching practice. This has given me the opportunity to intentionally integrate coaching into my own leadership.

For me, coaching is not simply something I do with clients. It is also a leadership skill that influences how I lead teams, navigate change, build relationships, and create space for others to think and contribute. I’ve seen firsthand how powerful it can be when people feel heard, trusted, and empowered to bring their ideas forward.

I’m also a natural connector. I genuinely enjoy bringing people together, encouraging collaboration, and helping people discover relationships and resources that can support their growth. Whether I’m coaching, leading, facilitating, speaking, or connecting people in my network, I’m energized by creating environments where people can learn from one another and move forward together.

Coaching is often a second or third career. If this is true for you, what prior experience has served you well as a coach?

My journey is a little different because I’m still actively leading IT initiatives while growing my coaching practice. I haven’t left one career to begin another. Instead, I’ve had the opportunity to integrate coaching into the leadership work I’m already doing.

Throughout my career, I’ve led enterprise level IT initiatives across healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and state government. I’ve worked with executives, project teams, and organizations navigating high pressure environments, competing priorities, organizational change, and constant uncertainty.

Those experiences taught me that success is never only about strategy, process, or technology. It’s about people, leadership, communication, trust, relationships, and the ability to move forward together.

Coaching has strengthened how I lead. I’m more intentional about asking questions, listening for what may not be said, creating space for people to think, and helping others discover solutions rather than always providing the answer. At the same time, my leadership experience gives me context and perspective that I bring into my coaching relationships.

I’ve come to appreciate the intersection of the two. Leadership gives me opportunities to practice coaching, and coaching continues to shape how I show up as a leader.

If you are an external coach, what other coaching adjacent activities are part of your coaching business?

Facilitation and speaking are significant parts of my work alongside coaching. I facilitate workshops focused on career readiness and leadership development, speak at various events, and partner with nonprofits and faith communities.

I’ve also had the opportunity to serve as a fractional coach supporting executive leadership retreats and conferences. I particularly enjoy facilitation because of the energy that happens when a group moves from passive listening to active participation, when people begin sharing ideas, learning from one another, and building momentum together.

Connecting people is another natural extension of my work. I enjoy creating opportunities for collaboration, making introductions, and helping people recognize where their experiences, strengths, and perspectives can complement one another.

For me, all of these activities are connected by the same purpose: creating environments where people feel heard, supported, connected, and empowered to grow.

How has ICFTN contributed to those things that you celebrate about your practice?

ICFTN has been an important part of my coaching journey, particularly through the connections and community I’ve found since joining the chapter. I’ve had the opportunity to meet coaches with different experiences, perspectives, and areas of expertise, and I’m grateful for the relationships that have grown from those connections.

Community has been such an important part of my own journey, so being part of a group of coaches who are committed to learning, growing, and supporting one another has been meaningful to me. I’ve appreciated the opportunities to connect, collaborate, share ideas, and learn from other coaches.

As someone who genuinely enjoys bringing people together, I value being part of a community where relationships can lead to new conversations, collaborations, and possibilities. ICFTN has reminded me that while coaching can sometimes feel like an individual practice, we don’t have to build our practices or navigate our growth alone.

Connect with Chris here:

 Chris Berry, MBA, PMP, ICF-ACC | LinkedIn

Nominate a coach here: ICFTN Member Celebrations