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The History of ICF

Professional Coach Thomas Leonard started ICF in 1995 as a non-profit organisation for fellow coaches to support each other and grow the profession. Three years later, buoyed by 70 dedicated volunteers and growing interest, ICF began its quest to raise the profile of professional coaching.

ICF created Core Competencies and built a Code of Ethics, setting the standard in the coaching field. An Ethical Conduct Review Process and Independent Review Board (IRB) were established, allowing consumers to file breach-of-ethics complaints.

ICF also defined curriculum standards (accreditation), to ensure consistency in coach training, and developed an ICF Credentialing system, requiring renewal every three years.

By 2000, membership was growing around the world by 130 members a month and now exceeds 20,000. ICF continues to focus on professional standards while positioning the organization more strategically. ICF’s goal is to keep growing membership and maintain a solid direction, presence and professional voice for coaches.

Based out of Lexington, Kentucky, ICF also operates Regional Service Centres in Asia-Pacific, Europe and Latin America, leading the global advancement of the coaching profession.

ICF Australasia formed with a volunteer group meeting in late 1998 and then formally incorporating the International Coach Federation Australasia Inc entity in April 1999 under the leadership of Christine McDougall. Joining her on the leadership team was Margaret Krause, Carly Anderson, Audrey McGuinness, Deborah Sullivan, Christine Edwards, Steve Maconachie, Michael Goot, Robert Gerrish and Steven Buckman.

2020: In its 25th anniversary year, ICF becomes the International Coaching Federation and transitions from a single organization to a federation of six family organizations: ICF Coaching in Organizations, ICF Coach Training, ICF Credentials and Standards, ICF Foundation, ICF Professional Coaches and ICF Thought Leadership.

Acknowledgements - ICF Australasia

ICF Australasia would like to acknowledge the contribution made to the organisation by its many volunteers. Members contribute their time, energy and knowledge at a local, regional and international level.

Conference Planning Committees
  • 2002 Conference – Marg Krause
  • 2003 Conference – Josie Mclean, Linda Matuschka
  • 2005 Conference – Josie Mclean, Karen Tweedie, Marisa Dantanarayana, Sandy Gadd, Toni Binstead
  • 2007 Conference – Leslie Hamilton, Graham Hoult, Jennifer McCoy, Christie Clark, Liz Moodie
  • 2009 Conference – Josie Mclean PCC, Kim Lisson, David Drake PhD
  • 2013 Conference – Katherine Hosie PCC, John Raymond ACC, Wade Azmy, Jill Danks, Hellen Cohen, Cindy Hadusek, Veronica de Paoli, Monica Sanchez
  • 2016 Conference – Janine Warden PCC, Eileen Duncan PCC, Jenny Devine PCC, David Bennett ACC, Revel Gordon PCC (Conference MC), Cindy Nicholson ACC, Katherine Street PCC
  • 2020 VSummit – Julie Goodhart ACC, Jeanine Bailey MCC, Janet Sernack PCC, Mary Britton PCC, Slaven Drinovac PCC, Denise Hartley-Wilkins ACC
  • 2022 VSummit – Enrique Panameno PCC, Alison McCormick, Sarah Guptil, Stephen Wagner, Carolyn Hughes, Paul Chang PCC
2024 Regional Board
  • Tim Sprague, PCC – President
  • Davia McMillan, PCC – Immediate Past President
  • Tim Crowden, ACC – President Elect
  • Rebecca Sebastian, ACC – Board Member and Secretary
  • Jacquie McCann – Director Finance
2023 Regional Board
  • Rajiv Jayarajah, PCC– President
  • Davia McMillan, PCC– Immediate Past President
  • Tim Sprague, PCC – President Elect
  • Rebecca Sebastian, ACC – Board Member and Secretary
  • Helen Zink, PCC – Director Finance
2022 Regional Board
  • Davia McMillan, PCC– President
  • Kathy Tracey, MCC – Immediate Past President
  • Rajiv Jayarajah, PCC – President Elect
  • Rebecca Sebastian, ACC – Board Member and Secretary
  • Helen Zink, PCC – Director Finance
2021 Regional Board
  • Kathy Tracey, MCC – President
  • Maria Newport, PCC – Immediate Past President
  • Davia McMillan, PCC – President Elect
  • Madeleine Shaw, PCC – Board Member and Secretary
  • Helen Zink, ACC – Director Finance
2020 Regional Board
  • Maria Newport, PCC – President
  • Tony Draper, MCC – Immediate Past President
  • Kathy Tracey, MCC – President Elect
  • Madeleine Shaw, PCC – Board Member and Secretary
  • David Davis – Director Finance
  • Tony Di Trapani – Director Finance till March 2020
2019 Regional Board
  • Tony Draper, MCC – President
  • Melinda Horton, ACC – Immediate Past President
  • Maria Newport, ACC – President Elect
  • Madeleine Shaw, ACC – Board Member and Secretary
  • Tony Di Trapani – Director Finance
  • Revel Gordon, PCC – Director Brand Development (resigned March 2019)
  • Hilary Armstrong, MCC – Director Professional Standards (resigned March 2019)
  • Brett Walker, ACC – Director New Zealand (resigned March 2019)
  • Inta Sellick, PCC – Director Australia (resigned September 2019)
2018 Regional Board
  • Melinda Horton, ACC – President
  • Tony Draper, MCC – President Elect
  • Maria Newport, ACC – Board Member and Secretary
  • Tony Di Trapani – Director Finance
  • Revel Gordon, PCC – Director Brand Development
  • Linley Rose, MCC – Director Professional Standards
  • Brett Walker, ACC – Director New Zealand
  • Inta Sellick, PCC – Director Australia
2017 Regional Board
  • David Bennett, ACC – President
  • Eileen Duncan, PCC – Immediate Past President
  • Melinda Horton, ACC – President Elect
  • Maria Newport, ACC – Board Member and Secretary
  • Tony Di Trapani – Director Finance
  • Austin Parry, PCC – Director Member Growth & Development (until March 2017)
  • Revel Gordon, PCC – Director Brand Development
  • Catherine Plano, ACC – Director Professional Development
  • Cindy Nicholson, ACC – Director Business Development
  • Tony Draper, MCC – Director Professional Standards
  • Brett Walker, ACC – Director New Zealand
  • Sharon Honner, ACC – Director Australia
2016 Regional Board
  • Eileen Duncan, PCC – President
  • Jenny Devine, PCC – Immediate Past President
  • David Bennett, ACC – President Elect
  • Melinda Horton, ACC – Board Member and Secretary
  • David Bennett, ACC – Director Finance (filling role)
  • Austin Parry, PCC – Director Member Growth & Development
  • Revel Gordon, PCC – Director Brand Development (from June 2016)
  • Kate Neser, ACC – Director Professional Development (until July 2016)
  • Cindy Nicholson, ACC – Director Business Development
  • Tony Draper, MCC – Director Professional Standards
  • Gai Fosket, PCC – Director New Zealand
  • Sharon Honner, ACC – Director Australia
Regional Board Acknowledgements 2001 – 2015

Regional Board Acknowledgements