March 2026 Newsletter 
A MESSAGE FROM YOUR PRESIDENT
Anna Walker, MBA, ACC
ICFTN President
Celebrating 30 Years: Our Trailblazing Leader, Karen Nash, MSOD, PCC, NLPC
In coaching, transformation often begins with a single courageous choice — the decision to see new possibilities, challenge old narratives, and step forward with intention. As we celebrate Women’s Month, we honor the coaches who create spaces where clarity leads to action and possibility becomes reality.
This month, I interviewed Past President, Karen Nash, who leaves a trailblazing legacy.
Read the full interview here>>
#WomensHistoryMonth #ExecutiveCoaching #LeadershipLegacy #WomenWhoLead #Empowerment
CREDENTIALING
Renee Fluty, MBA, PCC
Director of Credentialing
I have enjoyed meeting coaches who have reached out with questions about pursuing ICF credentials. Themes that have emerged include how to accumulate coaching hours toward the 125 ACC and 500 PCC requirements, how to document internal coaching hours, written test procedures, what to ask Level One and Level Two coach training programs to learn what support they provide students, what written exams cover for different levels, and “is it worth it?”
ICFTN Credentialing Roundtable
There has been so much interest that I am beginning a monthly Credentialing Roundtable on the third Tuesday of each month. This will be an opportunity for you to ask questions, meet others who are in the credential pipeline, and find support through the process. Come as often as you wish. The first meeting will be March 17, 2026, at 1:00 PM, Central. Don’t forget to wear green… Here is the Zoom link for ICFTN Credentialing Roundtable
Updated ICF Credentialing Webpages
ICF has updated the credentialing part of its website to make it easier to navigate and understand. Click here for the improved and up-to-date source of information.
ICF Credentialing Webinar Series
ICF has a seven-part webinar series designed for coaches who are thinking about pursuing any of the ICF professional credentials. Topics include the value of ICF credentialing for you and your clients; requirements for each credential; how to renew your ICF credential; the structure and content of the written exam, how to study and the exam process; Advanced Certification in Team Coaching (ACTC), and ethics. The webinar series is offered at no charge. Click here to learn more.
Beginning next month, I will initiate a series of articles about credentialing based on interviews with coaches, clients, and organizations that hire coaches. If you would like to be interviewed or know someone you would like to read about, please contact me: [email protected] or 434-534-9858.
Please schedule a meeting if you have any questions or concerns about the credential process and don’t want to wait for a roundtable date. I am always happy to help in any way I can. Contact me here.
MEMBERSHIP
TWO NEW MEMBERS TO THE MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
The membership committee has the pleasure of announcing two new members to our committee! Stephanie Austin and Katherine Blake-Huff are already bringing new ideas and energy to our committee that we know will benefit current and future members of the chapter.
We continue to seek additional membership committee members. If you are interested in helping to shape how we attract and retain ICFTN members, please contact Matt Kodsi at [email protected].
HOW DO I FIND A MENTOR?
In response to a number of questions, we want to make sure everyone knows that you can find Mentor coaches on the Find A Coach page of our website. That page is accessed under the ICFTN Coaches tab.
NEW MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Stephanie Austin
Donna Cooper
Heather Graffagnino
Larnzell Harper
Garry Senna
BOOK SIGNING AND MEET & GREET
Dr. Bryan Malone, ACC Presents Who Am I? A Rediscovery of Purpose.
Join Dr. Malone for a book signing and meet & greet at Barnes & Noble on Saturday, March 14. Scan the QR Code for more information!
WE WANT TO CELEBRATE YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Members can send in something they'd like highlighted (recent accomplishment, something about their coaching program, etc.) for a spotlight in the newsletter to the membership committee at [email protected]
We can't wait to hear from you!
ICFTN WANTS TO CONNECT WITH YOU!
There are amazing things happening in the chapter and we want to keep you in the loop. In addition to the newsletter, we are on social media and text messaging!
Keep up to date with your fellow members on our Community News page. You can find Member Kudos, the New Member Corner, and Welcome to New and Renewing Members here.
MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS
Hannah Finrow, MCC
Director of Marketing
The Echo Effect: Why We Need to Brag on Each Other
In Tennessee, business has always moved through the strength of a handshake and the power of a trusted reputation. We’ve been taught to believe that if the work is good enough, the word will eventually get around on its own.
EVENTS
SPEAKER INTEREST FORM NOW LIVE
ICFTN is committed to delivering high‑quality, engaging, and ethical learning experiences that advance the coaching profession and support our members. If you would like to submit a speaker proposal to our Events Team, please click here.
Not sure if you're a good fit? You can access our Speaker Guidelines here.
INTERNATIONAL COACHING WEEK 2026
Save the date for International Coaching Week May 11-17. We can't wait to share more news with you!
UPCOMING EVENTS
ICFTN CO-HOSTED MEETING: Emotional Intelligence Coaching and the EQ-i 2.0 Assessment
March 11, 2026 2 p.m. (ET) / 1 p.m. (CT) / 60-Minute Program Register Now>>
ICFTN CO-HOSTED MEETING: Developing Ethical Maturity as a Coach
March 12, 2026 3:30 p.m. (ET) / 2:30 p.m. (CT) / 90-Minute Program Register Now>>
ICFTN CHAPTER MEETING: Enhancing Your Visibility: Leveraging Speaking Engagements to Elevate Your Coaching Practice
March 13, 2026 12:45 p.m. (ET) / 11:45 a.m. (CT) / 75-Minute Program Register Now>>
ICFTN CO-HOSTED MEETING: Imposter Syndrome: Owning Your Worth and Helping Others Find Theirs
March 16, 2026 12 p.m. (ET) / 11 a.m. (CT) / 90-Minute Program Register Now>>
ICFTN CO-HOSTED MEETING: Ethics as a Lived Practice, From Code to Conscious Choice
March 18, 2026 12 p.m. (ET) / 11 a.m. (CT) / 180-Minute Program Register Now>>
ICFTN CO-HOSTED MEETING: The Fundamentals of Group Coaching
March 31, 2026 1 p.m. (ET) / 12 p.m. (CT) / 90-Minute Program Register Now>>
ICFTN CO-HOSTED MEETING: Quiet Champions: Coaching, Mentorship & the Leaders Who Shape Us
April 14, 2026 3 p.m. (ET) / 2 p.m. (CT) / 90-Minute Program Register Now>>
THE COACHING ROUNDTABLE: Nashville
April 16, 2026 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. (CT) Register Now>>
ICFTN CO-HOSTED MEETING: Partnering with AI: Practical Use of AI for Coaching Professionals
April 21, 2026 2 p.m. (ET) / 1 p.m. (CT) / 90-Minute Program Register Now>>
THE COACHING ROUNDTABLE: Chattanooga
April 22, 2026 5 - 7 p.m. (ET) Register Now>>
THE COACHING ROUNDTABLE: Memphis
April 23, 2026 5:30 - 7 p.m. (ET) Register Now>>
ICFTN CO-HOSTED MEETING: Enhancing Your Visibility: Leveraging Speaking Engagements to Elevate Your Coaching Practice
April 28, 2026 1 p.m. (ET) / 12 p.m. (CT) / 90-Minute Program Register Now>>
ICFTN NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION
May 8, 2026 11 a.m. (ET) / 10 a.m. (CT) / 60-Minute Program Register Now>>
UPCOMING ORIENTATION DATES
ICFTN CO-HOSTED MEETING: Your Superpowers: Unleashing Strengths for Personal Growth and Team Innovation
May 19, 2026 1 p.m. (ET) / 12 p.m. (CT) / 60-Minute Program Register Now>>
IMPACTING THE COACHING COMMUNITY FOR 30 YEARS
SHARE YOUR CONGRATULATIONS
Join us in celebrating the Tennessee Chapter by sharing your congratulations, a memory, or a simple thank-you to recognize the people behind this enduring milestone. Learn more here>>
Note: This is through the ICF Engage all member forum. You will need to be logged in to comment.
BOARD OPPORTUNITIES
BOARD OF DIRECTOR POSITIONS FOR 2026
If you are interested in being a leader, now is the time to consider joining our Board of Directors as an elected board member.
Board members are elected for two-year terms (except for the Past Presidents, who may be elected to serve one year after their term).
Each Board role plays a unique part in moving the chapter forward. Below are more specific descriptions of how each Board role contributes to the overall leadership of the chapter.
In addition to the information detailed below, the Directors of Membership, Marketing and Communication, Events, Partnerships, and DEIB, also recruit and lead committees, offering members opportunities to engage, contribute, and grow as leaders.
Board Positions Open for 2026>>
PRO-BONO COACHING
DAY 7
Day 7 provides curated and affordable self-care resources to help nonprofit and ministry organizations and staff thrive. They offer a range of programs to support physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. When you invest in your self-care, you will not only become a healthier person, you will find more satisfaction in your career and your life. Learn more here>>
HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT DISPLACED FEDERAL WORKERS
Executive Coach and ICFTN member Diane Watson shares, “When I learned that thousands of federal employees were being summarily laid off or fired, I wondered what I could do to help.”
A fellow ICFTN member told Diane about The Grounded Idealist. Launched by former federal employees, the Ground Idealist serves displaced federal workers and offers:
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1:1 and group coaching to support individuals through personal and professional transitions
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Skill development programs tailored to displaced workers and evolving sectors
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Communities of practice for peer learning, connection, and collaboration
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Workshops and events co-created with leading experts
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Regenerative social ecosystems that build collective resilience while incubating emergent futures
“I coached a former USAID leader,” Diane adds, “and it was one of the most gratifying coaching experiences of my career.”
If you are interested in learning more go to: https://www.groundedidealist.co.
To learn more about their coaching collaborative go to: https://www.groundedidealist.co/coaching-collaborative
The organization’s leaders understand that coaches need to receive compensation for their work. With that in mind, they recently started a fundraising campaign. Donations can be made here: https://www.groundedidealist.co/support-our-work
SUPPORT VETERANS WITH PRO-BONO COACHING
Stand Beside Them is a non-profit agency dedicated to supporting veterans since 2013. They would like to partner with ICFTN to advance their mission to coach and empower America’s veterans, their spouses and caregivers to achieve success at home, at work, and in the community. If you are a credentialed coach through ICF who desires to support veterans by offering pro bono coaching, learn more here.
Offerings by our members and associates can be found on the Training and Networking page (under the Resources tab on the website). You can find opportunities for continuing education here.
