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HomeNovember 2025 Newsletter

NOVEMBER 2025  Follow Us!      


Board Message


 


Natalie Mendez, PCC

ICF North Texas President-Elect

pres-elect@icf-nt.com


November Board Message – Natalie Mendez, PCC

2026 is right around the corner, and I’m honored to begin serving as your ICF North Texas Chapter President. As I look ahead to the coming year, I’m struck by the incredible legacy our chapter has built—and the members whose talent, generosity, and spirit make it all possible.

With that in mind, I want to share our theme for 2026: Thriving Together: Celebrating Strength and Expanding Possibility. I believe this represents our shared dedication to recognizing the individual strengths that make us stronger together and to using our collective talent to expand our reach and impact across the community.



Welcome New Members!


We are so happy you have joined us.

New Members:
Laurel Van Buren
Suzanne Farmer, ACC
Deidre Hannible
Yvonne Howard
Vasiliqi Turlla, ACC

New Associates:
Elizabeth Brashears
Sidra Javed
Nila Sinha
Joel Triska

New Partner:

Duane Ites


Congratulations to Our New Credential Holders!


Dharshana Kumar, ACC


Join a LINC

Learn  Interact  Network  Contribute

Members are welcome to join these LINC groups:
ACC Credential Support LINC
PCC Credential Support LINC
MCC Credential Support LINC
Business Building LINC
Digital Marketing LINC
Ready to Retire - Now, Later, or Never? LINC
Road to Advanced Coaching Mastery LINC
Connection Crew LINC
Internal Coaches LINC


If you are interested in learning more about the currently active LINC groups, contact Cheryl Close for more information.


Upcoming Chapter  Meetings


November 14 Hybrid Chapter Meeting and Program
Cash Flow Calm: The Solo Coach's Guide to Owner Pay, Taxes, Operating Expenses, and Reserves


Cash Flow Calm provides simple, effective solutions designed specifically for independent coaches who want to stabilize their finances and reduce stress. This program is designed for coaches who want clarity, control, and calm in their financial lives. It’s more than just bookkeeping — it’s about building confidence, protecting your income, and avoiding the stress that comes with uncertainty. By the end of the session, you’ll walk away with three practical tools:
  1. A one-page cash map that shows exactly where your money goes.
  2. A first draft of distribution percentages tailored to your business.
  3. A 30-day checklist to start stabilizing your income immediately.


Register Here

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November 14 Hybrid Chapter Workshop
Cash Flow Calm: The Solo Coach's Guide to Owner Pay, Taxes, Operating Expenses, and Reserves - Deep Dive


Join us following our program for an interactive workshop, where we’ll expand on the tools introduced in Cash Flow Calm: The Solo Coach’s Guide to Owner Pay, Taxes, Operating Expenses, and Reserves and help you put them into action for your unique business. Rather than just learning concepts, you’ll leave with practical habits and ready-to-use tools designed to stabilize your income.

If you can, bring your laptop and recent financial statements—we’ll supply user-friendly calculators, worksheets, and templates to make the process easy.


Register Here


2026 Board Slate Announcement

On behalf of the Nominating Committee, I’m pleased to share that the slate of new Board members for 2026 is now official!

Voting is open beginning today – November 3 through 9:00 AM on November 15.
Voting is available to Full Members in Good Standing only.

To Vote YES to accept the 2026 Slate click here.
Members must be logged in to www.icf-nt.com to access the ballot.

Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s election process—your engagement and support help keep ICF North Texas strong and thriving. Now, we have one final step, and we need your help once more: please cast your vote using the voting link above!

By voting, you’re not only confirming our next group of chapter leaders, but you’re also affirming the spirit of connection and collaboration that makes our chapter so special.

The 2026 Slate:
  • Natalie Mendez - President
  • Dara Rossi – Past-President
  • Reeshemah Davis – President-Elect
  • Robin Fox – Programs
  • Sheryl Chacko – Alliances
  • Lara Burnside – Membership
We do have one additional opportunity for service on the board: the Communications Director position will open in January 2026. If you’re interested or know someone who might be a great fit, please reach out to me at steve@practicetobusiness.com or to Dara Rossi at dara@workplace-joy.com.

Thank you again for your continued support and for helping shape the future of our chapter.

Warm regards,
Steve Hendon, PCC
Past President, ICF North Texas
Chair, Nominating Committee




November 18 Webinar
Leveraging Both the Scrappy and the Skilled Use of Polarities in Coaching

Bold and humble; task and relationship; support and challenge: These are polarities. Capitalizing on polarities in coaching is a superpower and can evoke meaningful awareness with clients. Without training, however, implementing this skill can feel intimidating. Join this session with Cathy Carroll, MCC to deepen your understanding of how to frame a polarity and improve your coaching skills. Through stories, Cathy will demonstrate how to use the very basics of polarities in both individual coaching and team coaching, and then she’ll recommend a variety of resources to facilitate coach growth from scrappy to skilled in this important coaching skill. No experience in polarities necessary.


Member Orientation

Friday, November 21, 2025
12:00 – 1:00 PM CT

Registration is required. Please register here.


All members are invited to join our next Member Orientation on November 21 via Zoom. Member Orientation is your opportunity to:
  • Meet and connect with other chapter and board members
  • Learn about chapter activities and events offered
  • Learn about opportunities to help you grow as a coach and/or your business
  • Discover ways to plug in and engage within the Chapter

Call for Nominations:
2025 ICF-North Texas Distinguished Service Award (DSA)


Nominations are open for the ICF-North Texas Distinguished Service Award (DSA). This annual award is presented to a chapter member in recognition of outstanding service to the coaching profession and to the North Texas Chapter. The award is traditionally presented at the Board’s discretion at our chapter’s Annual Membership Meeting in January. The prior DSA recipients are Cheryl Close, MCC; Alma Weaver Jones, PCC, Beverley Wright, PCC; Judy Feld, MCC; Sara Smith, MCC; and Teresa Pool, MCC. (MCC credential is not required!)

DSA nominees will be evaluated for their contributions to ICF-North Texas Chapter and the coaching profession, the example they set as a role model for other coaches, and their professional coaching practice.

To be eligible, DSA Nominees must:

  • Be an active member in good standing of ICF-North Texas
  • Hold an up-to-date ICF Credential (ACC, PCC, MCC)
  • Have/has had an active coaching practice

To make a nomination, you must be a member in good standing of ICF-North Texas and hold an up-to-date ICF credential (ACC, PCC, MCC). You may self-nominate.

To make a nomination for DSA 2025, you must use this online Nomination Form.

DSA nominations must be received by Monday, Dec 8, 2025  at 12:00 noon CST.


Ethical Webinar
'Always Be Contracting' Approach


Overview
Join us for this insightful “Always Be Contracting,” where you’ll explore how ethical contracting evolves throughout a coaching engagement and gain practical strategies for navigating re-contracting moments with confidence and integrity. Completing this learning activity is tentatively worth 1.5 units in Core Competencies.

Who Is This For?

  • ICF members, chapter leaders, volunteers, and coach educators who seek to grow as ethical coaches and human beings within a complex, ever-changing world.
  • Coaches who want to navigate unexpected situations during coaching engagements through ongoing contracting practices.

What You Will Learn

  • Clarify why contracting and re-contracting are essential ethical practices—and when and how to revisit agreements.
  • Develop clear, values-based language for creating contracts at the start of coaching engagements.
  • Recognize signs during coaching sessions that signal the need for re-alignment or re-contracting.
  • Deepen understanding of ICF’s values and principles as tools for ethical reasoning, reflection, and decision-making.
  • Examine re-contracting themes such as confidentiality, conflict of interest, and power balance through real-life discussion and examples.

ICF Global Members: $0
Non-Members: $45



Celebrating 30 Years of Coaching Impact

On behalf of the ICF North Texas Board of Directors, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us for Celebrate Coaching 2025 – 30 Years of Impact: The Evolving Power of Coaching. This year’s event was both an inspiring look at the continued evolution of our profession and a milestone moment as we celebrated our 30th anniversary as the very first ICF chapter. Together, we honored three decades of coaching excellence and the meaningful difference our members and partners have made—locally and around the world.

A special thank-you goes to our outstanding panelists—Bev Wright, Catherine Mitchell, Chelle O’Keefe, and Rory Brannum—for sharing their insight, experience, and wisdom. Their diverse perspectives as thought leaders and practitioners made this year’s discussion both powerful and practical.

The learning continued through our six post-event webinars, where coaching leaders from across the region and beyond extended the conversation in meaningful ways. Thank you to Monika Robinson, Jesse Ihde, Tara Hesson, Staci Witten, Sherry Yellin, and Carola Hundrich-Souris for bringing such depth, relevance, and inspiration to each session.

Finally, this celebration would not have been possible without an exceptional team of volunteers whose dedication and creativity brought every detail to life. My sincere appreciation goes to Dara Rossi, Kim Spikes, Laurie Goetz, Natalie Mendez, Reeshemah Davis, Robin Fox, Susan Daniel, Micah Gordon, Patty Vaccaro, and our ever-reliable producer Ryan Brown. Your collaboration, professionalism, and enthusiasm exemplify what makes ICF North Texas such a special community.

Thank you all for making Celebrate Coaching 2025 a memorable milestone in our chapter’s remarkable journey of connection, excellence, and impact.

Steve Hendon, PCC
Past President, ICF North Texas



Celebrate Coaching donation presentation to Make-A-Wish Foundation


Celebrate Coaching 2025 Panelists and Facilitator


Celebrate Coaching 2025 Panelists and Planning Team


Celebrate Coaching 2025 Audience

Thank You to Our Celebrate Coaching Sponsors

We’re deeply grateful to our Celebrate Coaching sponsors for their meaningful contributions to this year’s event and webinars.

A special thank-you goes out to The Improve Mindset, who went above and beyond by co-hosting our main event online. They created a dynamic experience for our virtual audience.

We’d also like to recognize The Catalyst Effect and Positive Coach for sponsoring webinars that continued Celebrate Coaching's momentum and conversation. 

Your support helps us offer engaging events, connect our members with valuable products and services, and provide learning opportunities that strengthen our coaching community and fuel continued growth.

Let's Give Thanks

This year, we are giving thanks for our 2025 volunteers. Without their tremendous support and consistent generosity of their time, talents, and treasures, we would not have been able to accomplish so much in 2025 as the award-winning International Coaching Federation, North Texas Chapter. 

We are taking up prime real estate in the newsletter to highlight ALL volunteers. We couldn’t do this without YOU! 

From Our ICF-NT President:
  • Staci Witten and Natalie Mendez for the guest facilitator for Connection Crew
  • Robin Fox and Laurie Goetz for serving on the Celebrate Committee. 
From Our President-Elect:
  • Reeshemah Davis, Dara Rossi, Kim Spikes, and Susan Daniel with ICW planning and comms.
  • Lisa Ong and Mayme Doumbia were part of the initial planning meeting.
  • Tiffany Harvey, Sheryl Chacko, Jennifer Conner, Tara Hesson, MK Boehme, Norma Martinez are ICW Event Volunteers.
  • Cheryl Close, Dara Rossi, and Jennifer Parvin as ICW Panelists.
From Our Programs Committee:
  • Tyra Bremer – for her years of leadership in identifying high-quality, relevant programs, coordinating guest speakers, ensuring CCEUs, leading monthly meetings, and celebrating team success with in-person recognition lunches.
  • Lisa Ong – for serving as our reliable Mentimeter guru, gathering valuable feedback, hosting the August CoPilot demo, and presenting at both in-person and virtual events.
  • Nick Dillon – for his dedication to bringing quality programming to our chapter and his dynamic guest speaking.
  • Nathan Swenson-Reinhold – for his continued involvement and commitment to Programs even after stepping down as Director.
  • Tom Donaldson – for representing Programs to our virtual participants and ensuring engagement for our online audience.
  • Tiffany Harvey – for joining our team with enthusiasm; we look forward to her contributions and expertise.
From Our Sponsorship Committee:
  • A heartfelt thank-you to my incredible partners on the Sponsorship Committee, Susan Daniel and Corinna Hagen. Their collaborative spirit, innovative ideas, and steady dedication carried us through the Sponsorships revamp. There were plenty of unknowns, and together we co-created something exceptional. I’m so grateful for you both!
From Our Communications:
  • Tim Kincaid and Lisa Seay - past communications chairs who bring history and perspective to the committee.
  • Jennifer O’Conner - A past committee member who encouraged us to look at the history of our chapter and begin to formulate a plan to capture the story.
  • Tara Hasson - A committee member that always brings ideas and support to the committee.
  • Lametra Off - A member of the Comms Squad. The committee appreciates her willingness to like, share, and comment on our ICF-NT Posts.
  • Lindsay Preston - A past member of the Comms Squad. The committee appreciates her willingness to like, share, and comment on our ICF-NT Posts. 
From Our Membership:
  • Lara Burnside, Assoc. Director
  • Rory Brannum
  • Natalie Mendez
  • Norma Martinez
  • Lakisha Davis Flagg
  • MK Boehme
  • Tracy Byerly
  • Ginnie Plauche
  • Paula Holland
From Our Alliances:
  • Sheryl Chacko
  • Eric Kebschull
  • Dr. Lakisha Davis Flagg 
  • Teri Schmidt
  • Susan Shapiro
  • Jennifer Jackson
  • Natalie Mendez
  • Debra Austin
  • Michele Galen
  • Dr. Nancy McGruder
  • Each member was instrumental in advancing the Alliances Committee and making significant contributions to the chapter through service and dedication. 
From Our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB):
  • Tim Kincaid
  • Reeshemah Davis
  • Laurie Goetz
  • Sherley Bell
  • Nicholas Dillon


We can’t wait to celebrate the holiday season with you and look back on all the moments we’ve shared together this year. Join us for an evening of laughter, connection, and holiday cheer!

Location:
The Rackhouse 
4847 Main Street
The Colony, TX 75056

Event Details:

  • Members only, plus one guest – $30 per person
  • Enjoy a buffet of heavy hors d’oeuvres, sweet treats, soft drinks, and a cash bar
  • Wear your most festive holiday sweater, tie, hat, or accessory
  • Bring a new, wrapped book for our annual holiday book exchange (think: coaching, leadership, or business building); be sure to include a business card or personal note so your recipient knows who it’s from.

Our holiday party is a night to relax, mingle, and make connections and memories—the perfect way to wrap up the year!

Register Here


Member Spotlight - Mina Brown, MCC


Business: Positive Coaching Solutions LLC | minabrown@positivecoach.com

ICF Credential: MCC

Trainings Completed: Certified NeuroTransformational Coach, Master NLP Practitioner, BeAbove Facilitation Masterclass, AI-Powered Coach Certification, KF360 Certification, ICF Assessor Certification, Coaching with ROI, Advanced Public Speaking

My Story: I found coaching about halfway through my career. Starting as an auditor with PriceWaterhouse and eventually getting my MBA at Vanderbilt, I navigated my way to becoming a CFO of a public company and, for a period of time, ran the Aerospace division. After a massive restructuring, I chose the offered severance package so that I could take some time to reevaluate what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. My career counseling assessments clearly pointed me to the “people” side of work instead of the “numbers and operational” roles. From some deep soul-searching and investigation of options, I discovered coaching. I had the great fortune of receiving my first coach training from Thomas Leonard. 

Transitioning from corporate finance and c-suite executive to career and executive coach was objectively paradoxical at the time. It was risky and challenging, but I knew it was right. With a couple of different partners along the way, I developed a solid client base, a strong business reputation, and was affirmed every day that I was doing what I was called to do. 

After coaching for 28 years, I have now decided to focus entirely on providing coach training programs and support to people who are inspired to do this important work. We need more coaches in the world. And I intend to do everything in my power to provide sophisticated, insightful, and affordable coach certification programs to as many people as I can. I am deeply committed to this being my life’s work, my mission. 

Awards: ICF Global Coaching Impact Award, Distinguished Coach Educator Honorable Mention (2024), Voted Best Life Coaching in Dallas (2021), #9 of top 20 Executive Coaches in Dallas (2020)

Why be a member of ICF-North Texas? Being a member of the global organization is just not enough. Joining and being active in a local chapter is where we meet our peers and deepen our roots in this extraordinary profession. The long-term relationships I have developed through ICF-NT will remain in my heart and support my growth for decades to come. I served on the ICF-NT Board for several years early on. And the Chapter has blossomed every year, continuing its status as one of the best chapters in the world. 

Volunteer with ICF: President, Texas Coaches Coalition

Tell us about the LINC group you are in and why you chose it. I am the co-sponsor and Mentor of the PCC and Beyond LINC group. As a committed coach educator, I am devoted to helping professional coaches develop their skills and impact, achieve higher levels of recognition and advance their credentials. 

What travel/education/mentoring opportunities have you enjoyed through ICF? As a long-standing member of ICF and ICF-NT, the breadth of my education and mentoring  experiences is incalculable. I believe strongly in personal professional development and just as strongly in giving back and supporting my coach colleagues in their journeys. 

Social Media Platforms: https://www.linkedin.com/in/minabrown/, https://www.facebook.com/minabrowncoach

What type of coaching do you offer? Corporate / Executive, Internal / Organizational, Leadership Development, Personal / Life, Small Business / Entrepreneur.

Please share anything else you'd like to share. After 28 years as an executive and career coach, my professional and business focus now is providing affordable, efficient, and life-changing coach training and certification programs. My programs are Level 1 and Level 2 Accredited.


Member Spotlight - Sheryl Chacko, ACC


Business: Innovative Engagement LLC | sherylchacko@gmail.com | sheryl@innovativeengagement.com

ICF Credential:
ACC

Trainings Completed:
Mina Brown's Positive Coaching Solutions

My Story:
After more than 20 years leading teams of 10 to 300 on complex, global initiatives—I’ve seen the difference great leadership makes. I’ve also seen what happens when it’s missing.

Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to learn from incredible leaders—and I’ve also had to grow through seasons with little support. Those experiences shaped my belief that leadership should be accessible to everyone, not just those in the C-suite.

I became a coach because I wanted to be the kind of resource I often wished I had—someone who sees your potential, helps you name it, build on it, and lead in a way that’s authentic and effective.  I believe anyone can be a leader if they have the desire, the skills, and the opportunity. My mission is to help emerging and aspiring leaders build the confidence, presence, and capability they need to thrive—wherever they are in their journey.

Why be a member of ICF-North Texas?
To meet other coaches, support me in earning my credential, and deepen my expertise in the profession.

Volunteer with ICF:
Alliances - Associate Director

Tell us about the LINC group you are in and why you chose it.
ACC - this is my immediate goal this year! Between ACC LINC and the Alliances Committee, I've been able to meet and network with several mentors and friends who have been helpful in my journey. 

What travel/education/mentoring opportunities have you enjoyed through ICF?
Through ICF-NT, I learned about Mina Brown's Positive Coaching Solutions Coach training program, which I took last year.  I loved the program and it taught me to become a better coach through learning and practice, which is how I learn best. 

Social Media Platforms:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-chacko/
https://theinnovativeengagement.com/

What type of coaching do you offer?
Corporate / Executive, Internal / Organizational, Leadership Development, Small Business / Entrepreneur


ICF-North Texas Organization Sponsor

 


Learn more at SMU.edu


Ready to make 2026 your most profitable yet? Register to join the FREE Client Attraction Workshop!

Register here: https://simplygetclients.com/icf-north-texas

This is a paid advertisement and does not constitute an endorsement by ICF-North Texas.



November Monthly Observances


Native American Heritage Month
National Family Caregivers Month
Military Family Month

Holidays and Observances:
November 11 (Tuesday): Veterans Day
November 20: Transgender Day of Remembrance
November 25: International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
November 28 (Thursday): Thanksgiving Day

Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events

Contact Information

 

President 
Dara Rossi, PhD, PCC
President-Elect 
Natalie Mendez, PCC
Secretary 
Tara Hesson, ACC
Treasurer 
Rory Brannum, ACC
Past President 
Steve Hendon, PCC
Alliances 
Mayme Doumbia, PCC
Communications 
Reeshemah Davis, PCC
Diversity Equity Inclusion Belonging 
Nicholas Dillon
Membership 
Cheryl Close, MCC
Programs 
Susan Daniel, PCC
Sponsorships 
Kimberly Spikes, ACC
Special Events
OPEN