Spotlight: Jennifer Gamble

1 - What is your professional background, and why did you become a coach?

I am a connector and learner at heart. My career has always been tied to these two themes allowing me to blend my passion for cultural exploration and understanding with my background in business, education, and leadership. I spent the first 15 years of my career working on college campuses in the U.S. and abroad, where my primary focus was helping leaders build effective intercultural teams who could succeed in transition, build community, and create sustained change. I also built leadership development programs, designed curriculum, and coached leaders along the way.

During this time, I launched a transformative global sustainability and cultural immersion program to help leaders develop increased curiosity, empathy, and emotional intelligence through a global leadership experience in Costa Rica. Recognizing a broader need for similar training and coaching beyond educational settings, I left higher education 4 years ago and started a coaching and consulting business focused on professionals and executives in transition who wanted increased intercultural skills. 

I work with high-achieving leaders who are in transition, looking to accomplish a new goal, or looking to “level-up” as a leader to increase their capacity and influence. I believe every person has value only they can uniquely offer to the world. My purpose is to connect and empower leaders through innovative and life-changing experiences to help them gain clarity and unleash their full capacity. Being a coach allows me to help people pursue their dreams and goals creating the life they have imagined for themselves and their businesses.

2 - How did you choose your specialty area?

I spent a summer abroad in high school, with a family in Japan, which transformed how I saw the world and myself. I was there to learn about Japanese culture and the education system as part of a photo essay scholarship, but I learned even more about the intersection of identities and seeking multiple perspectives. This was the first of many transformational experiences that became the catalyst for my pursuit of cultural engagement and cemented my own commitment to intercultural exploration and a professional career focused on developing global perspectives in leaders. This fueled my involvement with the Intercultural Communication Institute as a professional and prompted me to incorporate cultural components in all of my trainings and coaching. 

Leadership has always been my passion and I knew developing leaders and teams would be part of my career. It’s been a natural progression and has allowed me to integrate intercultural components to my coaching. As I work with leaders, I focus on broadening perspectives, inclusivity, increased self-awareness, effective communication skills, and strong relationships. My passion has only grown as I traveled and worked in over 50 countries in the past 20 years and recognized the need for these skills in all leaders.

3 - What are the greatest challenges and greatest rewards of your career? 

It’s always rewarding to create transformational experiences with clients. It can be a small shift in perspective or a life-altering achievement, either way, it’s an honor to be part of their journey.

Deciding to start my own remote coaching and consulting business four years ago a challenge, but I knew that I wanted to have flexibility in meeting clients anywhere in the world. While I miss having an office of colleagues, I appreciate my professional connections, like being involved in the ICFTN Chapter. I’m glad Tennessee is my home base now allowing me to grow deeper community roots while still serving clients.

4 - How do you enjoy spending your free time?

I love spending time outdoors whether it’s camping, hiking, kayaking, or gardening. Spending time in nature is both relaxing and rejuvenating for me. My partner and I are very sustainably focused and do lots of composting and water collection as we try to grow an organic and sustainable garden.   

My partner and I are big foodies and love to cook up vegetables and herbs from the garden. We’ve been known to whip up Korean Bibimbap, Vietnamese Pho, Thai curries, or falafel on a whim. We are plant-based eaters, so it’s even more fun to explore spices and textures to recreate our favorite foods from travels. When we got married, merging our immense spice collection was our biggest challenge!

5 - What is something that most ICFTN members would be surprised to learn about you?

I collect shark teeth. I grew up camping at Edisto Beach, South Carolina with my family and I loved going to the ranger programs for kids. When I was 5 years old a park ranger showed us how to find shark teeth, but he used a huge shark tooth as an example. I thought that’s what I’d find in the sand on the beach, but it turns out you have to scuba dive for those. Instead, I am talented at finding the super tiny ones!

6 - What is your favorite quote?