ICF Austin Chapter, Austin, TX (2026)

03/11/2026

What is the Coaching Pop-Up at SXSW? 🎯

SXSW is full of ideas, inspiration, and nonstop energy. The ICF Greater Austin Coaching Pop-Up offers something a little different: a moment to pause, think, and gain clarity.

The Laser Coaching Pop-Up is a space where SXSW attendees can experience credentialed professional coaching in action through short, focused Laser Coaching sessions.

In just 20 minutes, a conversation with a credentialed coach can help you:
💡 Get unstuck on a challenge
💡 Clarify your next step
💡 See a situation from a new perspective
💡 Turn insight into action

No lecture. No presentation. Just a powerful coaching conversation designed to help you move forward.

📍 Fairmont Hotel
📅 March 16–18
⏰ 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Reserve a session or learn more here:
March 16: https://schedule.sxsw.com/2026/events/OE46879
March 17: https://schedule.sxsw.com/2026/events/OE46880
March 18: https://schedule.sxsw.com/2026/events/OE46881

If you're heading to , stop by and experience the power of coaching.

03/09/2026

What Happens in Core Conversation? 💬

At SXSW, big ideas move fast. But innovation doesn’t just come from speed—it comes from the quality of the conversations teams are willing to have.

That’s the purpose of our Core Conversation.

Core Conversations bring coaching into the room to create space for deeper thinking, honest dialogue, and new perspectives. Instead of presenting answers, coaches guide conversations that help teams examine the real dynamics behind innovation.

In this session, coaches Sandy Schwan and Wendy Irwin will explore a challenge many creative teams face: risk.

Innovation requires experimentation. Experimentation requires trust. And trust grows through the right conversations.

Join us for this Core Conversation at SXSW 2026:
Creative Teams, Real Risks: Coaching Teams for Courageous Innovation
📅 Tuesday, March 17
⏰ 4:00 PM
📍 Hilton, Room 412

In this conversation, we’ll explore how coaching can help teams:
💡 Navigate uncertainty and creative tension
💡 Build psychological safety for bold ideas
💡 Turn risk into opportunity for innovation

Because courageous innovation doesn’t just come from great ideas. It comes from teams willing to have the conversations that move them forward.

Note: Core Conversations access is available to Platinum and Innovation Badge holders

03/09/2026

What is a Core Conversation at SXSW? 💡

SXSW is known for bold ideas, breakthrough technology, and creative innovation. But in the middle of all that energy, something powerful can happen in a simple conversation.

That’s the idea behind our Core Conversation.

This Core Conversation brings coaching into the room, not as advice or consulting, but as a space for deeper thinking. It’s an interactive experience designed to help participants pause, reflect, and explore new perspectives on real challenges.

Instead of telling people what to do, coaching conversations focus on:
🔹 Asking powerful questions
🔹 Challenging assumptions
🔹 Unlocking fresh thinking
🔹 Creating clarity and forward momentum

At SXSW 2026, ICF Greater Austin coaches, Christina Miser Batten, ACC, CPCC and Sharanya Rao, PCC, CPCC will host Core Conversations that explore how coaching can support leaders and teams navigating complexity, pressure, and innovation.
Because sometimes the most impactful thing in a room full of ideas… is the right question.

Join us for:
Innovation Under Pressure: A Coaching Approach to Getting Unstuck, Fast
📅 Friday, March 13
⏰ 10:00 AM
📍 Hilton, Room 410

Note: Core Conversations access is available to Platinum and Innovation Badge holders

03/06/2026

Join Us for an Exciting Learning Opportunity! 🌱🧠

In today’s fast-moving professional world, leadership isn’t just about strategy. It’s about emotional and social intelligence.

The EQ-i 2.0 assessment helps bring clarity to this often hard-to-measure capability, offering coaches and leaders a powerful framework to understand and develop emotional intelligence.

In this upcoming session, we’ll explore how emotional intelligence (EI) coaching supports meaningful, long-term behavioral change and strengthens performance across a wide range of professional environments.

Whether you’re a seasoned coach or just beginning to explore emotional intelligence, this session will highlight why EI belongs at the center of leadership development and coaching practice.

What you’ll gain from this session:
✨ Explore the core components of the EQ-i 2.0 model
✨ Learn practical ways to integrate emotional intelligence into coaching conversations
✨ Understand how EI development can align with individual client goals
✨ Discover strategies to deepen client engagement and navigate emotional dynamics
✨ Learn how emotionally intelligent coaching fosters sustainable growth and performance

Strong leaders don’t just manage tasks—they understand people.

Join us to learn how emotional intelligence can transform the way leaders think, lead, and grow.

Register here: https://www.icfaustin.org/event-6560478

03/05/2026

🌟 Why Credentialed Coaching Matters🌟

In a world moving faster than ever, the quality of thinking inside organizations is a real competitive advantage. That’s where professional coaching comes in.

But here’s the key: not all coaching is created equal.

Credentialed coaches through the International Coaching Federation (ICF) complete rigorous training, demonstrate coaching competence, and commit to a global code of ethics and professional standards. In other words, the credential isn’t just a title - it’s a signal of professionalism, discipline, and accountability.

Organizations are increasingly seeking credentialed coaches because they want partners who can help leaders and teams think better, not just work harder.

Credentialed coaches are trained to:
💫 Ask powerful questions that unlock new perspectives
💫 Create psychologically safe conversations where real thinking happens
💫 Help leaders navigate complexity and uncertainty
💫 Hold a consistent ethical and professional standard in the coaching relationship

In complex environments, advice is easy. Insight is harder.

Credentialed coaching creates the conditions where leaders can pause, reflect, challenge assumptions, and generate the thinking that moves people and organizations forward.

Because great leadership doesn’t come from having all the answers.

It comes from asking better questions.

03/03/2026

🚀 ICF Austin at SXSW 2026: Coaching in Action

For the first time, ICF Greater Austin is bringing ICF-credentialed coaching directly to SXSW.

🌟 Complimentary Laser Coaching at the Emerging Tech Expo
The heart of our programming: complimentary 20-minute Laser Coaching sessions for innovators, founders, creatives, and leaders who want clarity and momentum, and want it fast.

📍 March 16–18 | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Fairmont Hotel
High-impact. Focused. Built for leaders on the move.

Reserve a Laser Coaching session in advance or stop by during Expo hours. Link to sign up ⬇️ Note: Access available to Platinum, Innovation, Film & TV and Music Badges

🌟 Workplace Track: Core Conversations
We’re also presenting two Core Conversations as part of the Workplace Track:

📍 Friday, March 13 | 10:00 AM | Hilton, Room 410
Innovation Under Pressure: A Coaching Approach to Getting Unstuck, Fast

📍 Tuesday, March 17 | 4:00 PM | Hilton, Room 412
Creative Teams, Real Risk: Coaching Teams for Courageous Innovation

Note: Core Conversations access is available to Platinum and Innovation Badge holders

SXSW is where bold ideas surface. Coaching is how they gain traction.

05/13/2025

Happy International Coaching Week!

We are excited to offer two learning opportunities to the ICF community! See below for details and links.

To learn more about or register for Lifting the Mask, Shifting the Story, click here: https://www.icfaustin.org/event-6161071

To learn more about or register for Dancing with the Liquid Accordion, click here: https://www.icfaustin.org/event-6158599

02/28/2025

🌟 Exciting Partnership Announcement! 🌟

We’re thrilled to announce a new collaboration between ICF Austin and the Texas Nurses Association to deliver a transformative coaching engagement!

This partnership brings together the expertise of ICF-certified coaches and the dedication of the TNA to empower its staff in their professional development journeys. Through tailored coaching sessions, we aim to:
✔️ Enhance leadership skills
✔️ Foster resilience in demanding healthcare environments
✔️ Support career growth and skill-building

At a time when healthcare professionals face unprecedented challenges, coaching provides a powerful tool to build confidence, achieve clarity, and create sustainable growth. Together, we’re investing in the well-being and development of those who work tirelessly to support the nursing community across Texas.

Congratulations to our team of talented, ICF-credentialed coaches for being selected to serve this wonderful cause! Thank you for being part of a community committed to creating positive change.

A big shoutout to our project steward, Marcia Rhode, and our TNA partner, Julia Menegay, MBA, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, for leading this amazing engagement, supported by Community Outreach Director, Sharanya Rao, CPCC, PCC!

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01/29/2025

Happy Lunar New Year to those who are celebrating! We wish you peace & prosperity for 2025.

We’re thrilled to also share some exciting news that marks a significant milestone for our chapter. ICF Austin has officially partnered with three incredible organizations that align with our mission to empower leaders and create meaningful change.

These partnerships expand our reach and create new opportunities for our members to make an impact in diverse industries and communities.

INTRODUCING NEW COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS FOR ICF AUSTIN:

1. 🎉SXSW

Founded in 1987 in Austin, Texas, SXSW® is best known for its conference and festivals that celebrate the convergence of tech, film, music, education, and culture.

Our collaboration is a fantastic opportunity to increase awareness of the transformative benefits of coaching and showcase the value of ICF-credentialed professionals to a diverse and global community of creative, technology and business entrepreneurs.

To kick off this partnership, at this year's conference, our Community Outreach Director, Sharanya Rao, will present at the Workplace Track, sharing insights on self-advocacy in the workplace, and one of our Outreach Committee members, Bikram Gupta, will serve as a mentor, offering pro bono laser coaching to start up and tech leaders navigating challenges.

ICF SXSW: https://schedule.sxsw.com/2025/events/PP1147691

2. 🎉Texas Nurses Association

TNA is a statewide membership-based professional, volunteer-driven association of licensed nurses. Founded in 1907, TNA is the most inclusive nursing association in Texas and the largest state nursing association in the country dedicated to advancing excellence in nursing.

Together, we’ll deliver a coaching engagement designed to support TNA staff in their professional growth and resilience.

This initiative highlights the powerful impact of coaching in enhancing leadership, fostering collaboration, and driving personal and professional development. Through this collaboration, we’re not only elevating the coaching profession but also contributing to the well-being and success of the dedicated professionals who support Texas nurses.

ICF Austin members can register here to volunteer for 1:1 coaching opportunities: https://icfaustin.org/event-6047689

3. 🎉 Allies Against Slavery

AAS is an anti-trafficking nonprofit using data, technology, and partnerships to combat exploitation. With their screening software Lighthouse, case managers, advocates, and other field professionals are able to effectively identify victims and provide them with the best possible care. Lighthouse then aggregates statewide data, trends, and insights in one place to help field professionals, leaders, and policy-makers better serve trafficking survivors. Allies now has the most extensive data set on trafficking in Texas, enabling us to predict who is vulnerable to trafficking, why, and what can be done in their community to build resilience.

In collaboration, we’ll leverage coaching to support the staff at AAS in their advocacy efforts and empower those working tirelessly to combat human trafficking.

Learn more about AAS: https://www.alliesagainstslavery.org/

10/17/2024

We are excited to announce that we are partnering with the Girls Empowerment Network (GEN) for a coaching engagement! We couldn't be more proud to support this incredible organization whose mission is to ignite the power in girls by teaching them the skills to thrive and believe in their ability to be unstoppable. Our coaches will be partnering with the GEN staff to provide 6 months of pro bono coaching to support them in increasing their impact even further.

We are also thrilled that this project has been accepted as an ICF IGNITE project. ICF IGNITE is an initiative by the International Coaching Federation Foundation to leverage the collective power of ICF chapters, members and credential-holders to accelerate positive impact on humanity and the planet. Our project is in line with this year's focus on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of Gender Equality.

After a competitive selection, we are happy to announce that our bench of ICF-credentialed coaches are Amanda Duarte, PCC, NBC-HWC, Diane Dean MA, MCC, Charles Fielder, Emaan Mahmood, Misty Helm Chadwick, PCC, Nicole Davies, PCC, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, Nikki Moriarty, PCC, Renée (Mills) Lilley, ICF ACC, Sheila Armitage, Ph.D., ACC and Traci Callandrillo, Ph.D., ACC. We appreciate your time and commitment in supporting this project!

Thank you to our joint team, ICF project steward Nymphaea Makroo, GEN's Chief Community Officer, Brittany Yelverton and ICF Community Outreach Director Sharanya Rao, CPCC, PCC, supported by ICF Board member Christine Kutnick, ACC, CFRE for making this happen!

10/02/2024

We’re ready for you, Texas Conference for Women! Welcome to the Coaches Corner at the Career hub! Meet us today for laser coaching with our team of 40 ICF coaches from ICF Austin Chapter, Icf North Texas, ICF - San Antonio Chapter and ICF Houston. Walk-in appointments are available. Sharanya Rao Marcia Rhode Bikram Gupta

06/21/2023

ICF Greater Austin presents an Exceptional Opportunity for a Workshop with Best Selling Author and Speaker Michael Bungay Stanier!

This 75-minute workshop is perfect for anyone who wants to improve their working relationships. With an audience of up to 115 area professionals, we hope that ICF members attend and share this invitation with their clients, colleagues, and area talent development professionals. The cost of the workshop includes Michael’s newest book, but you must be present to claim it.
We look forward to a lively event and appreciate you sharing this event with your network!

Michael Bungay Stanier helps people know they’re awesome and they’re doing great. He’s best known for The Coaching Habit, the best-selling coaching book of the century and recognized as a classic. His most recent book, How to Work with (Almost) Anyone, shows how to build the Best Possible Relationship with the key people at work. Michael was a Rhodes Scholar. He’s Australian and lives in Toronto, Canada. Learn more at www.MBS.works.

Register here: https://www.icfaustin.org/event-5317686

ICF Austin Chapter

03/11/2026

03/09/2026

03/09/2026

03/06/2026

03/05/2026

03/03/2026

05/13/2025

02/28/2025

01/29/2025

10/17/2024

10/02/2024

06/21/2023

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