March 2026 Newsletter - ICF-North Texas

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MARCH 2026

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Board Message

Lara Burnside
ICF North Texas Director of Membership

Membership@icf-nt.com

Hello ICF North Texas Members,

I’m Lara Burnside, and I’m honored to serve on your board as Membership Director. I believe the work of building a community of belonging, growth, and meaningful impact is at the heart of our 2026 theme, Thriving Together—and it reflects the spirit and strength of our coaching community here in ICF North Texas.

March marks our Annual Membership Recruitment and Renewal season, a perfect moment to reflect and recommit.

Many of us joined ICF for credibility, connection, and a path to mastery. Yet membership has become more than access to benefits—it’s a statement about who we are as professionals and how we choose to show up for one another.

Welcome New Members!

We are so happy you have joined us.

Full Member:
Fredrick McClain, ACC
Kate Shi, PCC
Matthew Upton, PCC
Nader Girgawy
Karen Stafford-Brown
Lois Melkonian, MCC

New Associates:
Haven Taylor
Manjusha Melkote

Congratulations to Our New Credential Holders!

ACC Credentials:
Tanya Lipscomb, ACC
Tony Bryson, ACC

North Texas Board Annual Planning Retreat

On February 14, the ICF North Texas Board gathered for our annual planning retreat. Thank you to our incredible Board for showing up with such collaborative energy and a shared commitment to ensuring our chapter is Thriving Together.

At the heart of our planning is a commitment to creating a chapter where every member feels seen, supported, and valued.

We’re strengthening that experience through:

Monthly meetings with deep practical learning, live demos, MCC expertise, and more time for networking and celebration
Clear pathways to volunteer your strengths as new opportunities open across the chapter
Expanded opportunities for pro bono coaching and partner connections
More Coach Circles to support deeper connection and community

If you have ideas or want to get involved, please reach out to Natalie at president@icf-nt.com.

We hope you’ll join us as we Thrive Together in 2026!

Calling Our Chapter Authors: Share Your Voice

On April 10th, we’ll celebrate the authors within our ICF North Texas community as part of From Story to Impact: Elevating Your Voice as a Coach.

If you have written - or are currently writing - a book, we invite you to participate in this special spotlight event.
This isn’t just about publishing. It’s about voice, clarity, and the courage to bring your ideas into the world.

We’re looking for member authors who are willing to:

Share insights gained through the writing and publishing journey
Reflect on how clarifying your message shaped your work
Offer perspective on using story to build credibility and expand possibility
Inspire fellow coaches to find and confidently use their voice

You may have a completed book, a book in progress, or a recently published work - all genres and paths are welcome.
Requirements to Participate:

Must be a current ICF North Texas member
Must have a completed or in-progress book, white paper, academic article, or comparable published work

Deadline to express interest: March 18, 2026

(Participation spots are limited.)

If you’re ready to contribute your perspective and help our community grow and thrive together, we’d love to hear from you.

Upcoming Chapter Meetings

Follow-up is one of the most overlooked yet most profitable parts of the sales process. Too often, it becomes a burdensome “to-do” or gets pushed aside entirely. In this powerful presentation, Wanda cuts through the noise and gets to the heart of why follow-up gets neglected and how to fix it. Your audience will walk away with a proven, easy-to-implement approach that turns follow-up into a consistent, results-generating habit. Whether you're struggling to stay organized, afraid of being pushy, or just not seeing results, this session delivers the clarity and motivation you need to take action.

For our virtual attendees: We can’t wait to see you! To help us get the most out of our time together, if possible, please have your camera on and join from a quiet, well-lit spot with your notifications silenced. If you’re using a phone, just prop it up so you can be fully present and enjoy networking with your fellow coaches!

April Chapter Meeting:
The Author's Spotlight: A Member Showcase & Roundtable
Led by Natalie Mendez, PCC

Hybrid Meeting | 11:15 AM – 1:15 PM CT

In Person at Las Colinas Country Club, 4400 N O’Connor Road, Irving, TX 75061
Or Virtually Via Zoom

In-Person Attendees Registering by March 8: Members - $40 | Non-Members - $50
In-Person Attendees Registering after March 8: Members - $50 | Non-Members: - $60
Virtual Attendees: Members – $30 | Non-Members - $40

CCEUs: pending

From Story to Impact: Elevating Your Voice as a Coach

Discover how clarity in your story builds momentum and credibility.

Join us on April 10th as we celebrate our chapter authors and learn from the insights they’ve gained from transforming lived experience into clarity, visibility, and measurable results.

Through their experiences, we’ll explore how you can:

Clarify the story that differentiates you
Align your message with the work you most want to do
Communicate your value with confidence — in conversations, networking, and marketing
Help clients uncover, reframe, and confidently own the stories shaping their lives

This session isn’t just about writing. It’s about using your voice to position yourself, expand what’s possible in your work, and help clients see new possibilities in theirs.

You’ll leave with practical tools you can apply immediately.

Attend in person to meet the authors and explore their work at our Author Showcase or join virtually for the full roundtable experience.

Enjoy time connecting before and after session and engage with fellow coaches who are intentionally refining their voice, visibility, and contribution.

Ready to strengthen how you show up? Join us in April as we learn and Thrive Together.

“Sneak Peak”
May 8 Virtual Chapter Meeting and Program

This May, we’re doing more than just marking the calendar for International Coaching Week (ICW)—we’re celebrating you.

In the spirit of ICW and our commitment to DEIB, our May chapter meeting is dedicated to the power of Belonging. We believe that when a coach feels fully seen and supported within their professional community, they bring that same presence and psychological safety to their clients. Whether you are an executive coach, a life coach, or carving out a brand-new niche, you have a home here.

Join us for an interactive session where we discover how North Texas is a place where every coach can thrive. When we lift each other up, we transform the coaching we deliver to the world.

Save the date! Plan to attend and leave with more than inspiration—leave with deeper connection, renewed confidence, and a stronger sense of community.

North American Webinar

Imposter Syndrome: Owning Your Worth and Helping Others Find Theirs
Presented by Susan M. Hahn, MCC Candidate

March 16, 2026 - 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM CT

Webinar Fee: Members – $25 | Non-Members $35

CCEUs: 1 Core Competency | 0.5 Resource Development

Many professionals experience Impostor Syndrome (originally and accurately titled Impostor Phenomenon), which involves persistent self-doubt and the inability to internalize accomplishments, even when there is clear evidence of competence. For coaches, understanding the impact of Impostor Syndrome on clients is critical. It can significantly affect clients’ confidence, hinder leadership development, and stall career progression. Seasoned executive coach Susan Hahn will share valuable coaching techniques that empower coaches to guide clients with authenticity and positive impact. She will share a practical, research-backed tool designed to help clients identify and overcome Impostor Syndrome. Participants will have the opportunity to complete the assessment during the session to better understand the phenomenon in themselves and others.

Susan Hahn is an accomplished business owner, executive coach, workplace mediator, and trainer who collaborates with a wide range of organizations across the United States, Europe, and Canada. In addition to her role as CEO of Swan Consulting Group, Susan contributes to higher education as adjunct faculty at Johns Hopkins University. As founding president of ICF-MD and MCC candidate, Susan holds the designation of Certified Physician Leadership Coach from the Physician Coaching Institute. She obtained her credentials as a mediator from the Maryland Institute for Continuing Professional Education of Lawyers (MICPEL) and The Baltimore School for Mediation.

For our virtual attendees: We can’t wait to see you! To help us get the most out of our time together, if possible, please have your camera on and join from a quiet, well-lit spot with your notifications silenced. If you’re using a phone, just prop it up so you can be fully present and enjoy networking with your fellow coaches!

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

LINC groups are one of the most valuable ways members Learn, Interact, Network, and Contribute in small, special-interest groups designed to foster meaningful engagement among coaches at every stage of their professional journey.

What Are LINCs?
LINCs are member-driven communities built around shared interests, specialties, or developmental goals. They provide a welcoming, discussion-based environment where coaches can deepen skills, exchange insights, and build authentic relationships. As a core benefit of chapter membership, LINCs strengthen both professional capability and community connection.

Why Members Love LINCs

Targeted learning: Dive deeper into topics such as credential support, advanced mastery, business building, digital marketing
Group Mentor Hours or CCEUs- some LINC groups support credentialling requirements by offering group mentoring or CCEUS.
Collaborative connection: Engage with peers in a safe, supportive space that encourages multiple points of view.
Ongoing growth: Many LINCs include skill drills, demonstrations, guest speakers, and peer practice opportunities.
Community building: Members expand their professional network while contributing their own expertise.

Explore the current LINC offerings on our website here and find the group that supports your goals and interests.

If you don’t see one that fits your needs, or have an idea for a new LINC, let’s chat. For questions or suggestions, please Dara Rossi, Past President at dara@workplace-joy.com.

We Want to Celebrate You This Year!

Do you have a recent win to share? Whether it’s a professional milestone, a personal highlight, or something joyful happening in your life, we’d love to hear about it.

Tell us what’s going well so we can celebrate alongside you and recognize the amazing things happening in our ICF North Texas community. Share your news here.

Pro Bono Coaching Opportunities for Coaches
Want to Use Your Skills to Strengthen Our Community?

We’re inviting passionate coaches to apply to provide pro bono coaching to local nonprofits and community partners, including organizations such as the North Texas Food Bank, Success North Dallas Young Executives, the Women’s Energy Network Conference, and more.

This is a meaningful opportunity to use your coaching skills to support mission-driven leaders and expand your impact.

If you’re interested in giving back through coaching, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply here before March 4 for our Q1-Q2 opportunities.

Thought Leadership Corner
Get Connected by Kim Spikes, Director of Sponsorships

Something I’ve been experimenting with lately is body language.

Research consistently shows that how we say something, our tone, facial expressions, posture, and gestures, often carry more impact than the actual words we choose. Even subtle emphasis can shift meaning entirely. It’s like punctuation. The difference between “Let’s eat, Grandma” and “Let’s eat Grandma” is just a comma, yet the message changes completely.

I found a simple practice that really helped me expand my awareness. When I meet with someone, I quickly sketch a stick figure of how they’re sitting or standing afterwards. Arms crossed? Leaning forward? Head tilted? Taking up space? Then I label what I observe in a few words. They look confident, nervous, happy, curious, etc.

I recently tested my accuracy with someone presenting who had relaxed arms, but their elbows were slightly out. It caught my attention. They were occupying space without appearing rigid or forceful. I read it as confident and comfortable. Later, I shared that observation. They smiled and said that was exactly how they felt. It was a mixture of the two.

This quick exercise of drawing, coupled with labeling, builds muscle around noticing. It also invites reflection: How might others be experiencing you?

ICF-North Texas Organization Sponsor

Learn more at SMU.edu

March Monthly Observances

Holidays and Observances:

Women’s History Month
Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
National Nutrition Month
National Reading Month
March 3: World Wildlife Day
March 8: International Women’s Day
March 14: Pi Day
March 17: St. Patrick’s Day
March 20: International Day of Happiness

Contact Information

President Natalie Mendez, PCC	Pres-Elect Reeshemah Davis, PCC	Secretary Tara Hesson, ACC
Treasurer Rory Brannum, ACC	Past President Dr. Dara Rossi, PCC	Alliances Sheryl Chacko
Communications OPEN	Diversity Equity Inclusion Belonging Nicholas Dillon	Membership Lara Burnside
Programs Robin Fox, ACC	Sponsorships Kimberly Spikes, ACC	Special Events OPEN