Walking Toward the Talk
Posted by Sue - Admin on Jan. 26, 2026 / Subscribe 0
We said goodbye to 2025 and welcomed 2026. It is the best of times and the worst of times, as Dickens wrote, and it still resonates today.
Many people who worked in DEI found their programs dismantled. The lucky ones pressed on while others transformed pared down programs with a focus on belonging, engagement, or citizenship.
As you know, we have been fortunate that ICF Global has taken a strong stance to continue and expand DEI programs. We are proud that ICF New Jersey Charter Chapter is part of that plan.
In the year ahead, how are you thinking about belonging and engagement in your coaching work or professional community?
WHAT’S NEW: DEIB/IDEAS 2026 OVERVIEW
We take a systemic approach to embedding DEIB/IDEAS into the culture of ICF New Jersey Chapter. We connect with the ICF global community through the monthly VIBE initiative and have begun to initiate a strategic partnership in the external community with the nonprofit Dress for Success. We support Programming as an internal ICF New Jersey partner regarding the Speakers RFP, Accessibility and Intercultural Competency. This year we will strengthen our internal partnerships with Communications and Networking/Engagement to better serve our membership.
Connecting DEIB/IDEAS to the ICF Global Community
Through our work with The Vibe, DEIB and IDEAS connect with ICF and the global community. Drs. Mindy Gewirtz and Feroza Mansoor, DEI Director of the South Africa’s Chapter, lead a monthly VIBE session for ICF Chapter DEI leaders from around the world.
Connecting DEIB/IDEAS to the External Community Through a Strategic Partnership
This year we are partnering with the non-profit organization Dress for Success in Northern New Jersey to honor Coach Willa Edgerton-Chisler, Member-at-Large and Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion ICF New Jersey from 2020 to 2022.
Pod Chair: Melinda Neiman: Members: Debbie Godfrey, Kathleen Cashman, Dorisse Shakir-Ullah, and Mindy Gewirtz
Connecting DEIB/IDEAS into the Internal ICF NJ Chapter: Partnering with the Programs Team
The Chapter Programs Team completed the first round of using the RFP process. Fifty-four coaches throughout ICF participated, including our own coaches.
The Chapter Programs Team has also planned three webinars on intercultural competency for 2026.
Connecting Cutting Edge Innovation DEIB/IDEAS with our Board and Membership
Cultural Humility and Identity Training: What does DEI have to do with this?
Coaching Coaches and Clients: From the Confusion of Anti-Jewish Identity Threat to Clarity and Agency
Our Board has approved a two-hour professional development training in the spring. Community group leaders and members of the DEIB community advisory council are welcome to attend.
This will be followed by a 90-minute panel presentation in a similar conversation where the entire membership is invited.
Pod: Mindy Gewirtz, Linda Leonard, Beth Renga, and Michael Tiger
Call for Volunteers
You matter. The more volunteers we have, the more we can accomplish. Want to work on one of these projects but cannot attend meetings? We can make that happen.
Leadership Updates and Transitions
We are pleased to announce that Ellen Wagner, one of our Advisory Council Members, has accepted the invitation to serve as ICF New Jersey Vice President of Membership. Congratulations, Ellen.
Welcome to Melinda Neiman, the DEIB and IDEAS Advisory Council’s newest member. Melinda is an experienced HR professional and has already stepped up to chair the initiative honoring Coach Willa in partnership with Dress for Success Northern New Jersey.
We are sad to say goodbye to team member Malina Poshtova Delamere, who will be leaving our committee this year after diligently contributing over the last few years.
Below are ICF Global DEIB courses that are available to you as resources in the coming months.
Link to DEIB community: https://engage.coachingfederation.org/communities/communities-deib
Contact Mindy Gewirtz at [email protected], if you are interested in volunteering on the DEIB and IDEAS Advisory Council.
IDEAS MATTER
Rise Up,
Your Voice Matters,
You Matter.
Dr. Mindy Gewirtz, MCC
VP of DEIB/IDEAS Advisory Council
[email protected]
DEIB/IDEAS Advisory Council
Tynisha Coleman
Patricia “Patti” Lee
Linda Leonard
Dorisse Shakir-Ullah
Walter Slade
Ellen Wagner
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