New hires will enhance ICF's member services for professional coaches in Eastern Europe and Asia
LEXINGTON, Ky., March 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — The International Coach Federation (ICF) has added two new Regional Service Centre (RSC) managers in Europe and Asia to support its growing membership in these regions. The new hires will improve the level of service to ICF Chapters and Members while expanding the ICF's presence in two regions of rapid growth for the coaching profession.
"The ICF is at a turning point in its growth and development. Since 2006, our membership has grown 87 percent, and we are poised for continued global expansion and scale. The addition of two new staff positions in our most rapidly growing regions represents one of many benefits we are adding in 2014 to enhance the value of ICF Membership and advance the coaching profession worldwide," said ICF Master Certified Coach and 2014 Global Board Chair Damian Goldvarg, Ph.D.
Alla Kazajeva is ICF's new Moscow-based Europe, Middle East and Africa RSC Manager. She brings to ICF more than two decades of experience in sales and business development. She managed several projects in Russia, the Commonwealth of Independent States and the Baltics for agricultural equipment manufacturers including Kverneland, AG BAG and Ziegler. Kazajeva holds a master's of business administration with a marketing concentration from Riga International School of Economics and Business Administration and a bachelor's degree in fishing industry technology from Far Eastern State Technical Fisheries University. She speaks Russian, English, Latvian and basic German. Kazajeva resides in Moscow with her husband and 16-year-old daughter.
Felix Lee is ICF's Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia-based Asia-Pacific RSC Manager. He joins the ICF from Vanbreda International, part of CIGNA International, where he served as a team leader in claims analysis from 2008 – 2014, and as a customer service representative from 2005 – 2008. Prior to joining Vanbreda, he was a processing executive for HSBC Data Processing Malaysia and a surveyor officer at the market-research firm Synovate. Lee holds a bachelor's degree in business studies, administration and management from HELP Institute (University of East London). He speaks Standard Malay, English, Chinese and basic Thai. Lee resides in Seri Kembangan, Selangor, Malaysia.
The ICF has also announced the promotion of Kristin Kelly to manager of ICF's North America RSC. She will fill the position vacated by Matt Varney, who was promoted in January to ICF's newly created Director of Chapter Development and Education position.
Kelly joined ICF's marketing and communications staff in 2007, focusing on growing ICF's presence across multiple social media channels, managing the ICF Blog and facilitating email marketing for the organization. Kristin holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Kentucky. As a student, she completed internships with Habitat for Humanity, the Bluegrass Chapter of the American Red Cross, marketing firm Preston-Osborne and publisher Smiley Pete Publishing. Kelly resides in Lexington, Ky., with her husband, Jacob.
Kazajeva, Lee and Kelly join a global RSC management team that includes Sydney-based Asia-Pacific RSC Manager Fiona Toy; Brussels-based Europe, Middle East and Africa RSC Manager Isabelle Maes; and Buenos Aires-based Latin America RSC Manager Stephanie Norris.
"It has been five years since ICF decided to create its first Regional Service Centres, and it is with great satisfaction that we add new managers to our team now," said Magdalena Mook, ICF Executive Director and CEO. "Alla, Felix and Kristin will provide additional support to members worldwide so they can be effective ambassadors for professional coaching and the ICF."
The International Coach Federation is the leading global organization for coaches, with more than 20,000 members and 10,000 credentialed coaches in more than 100 countries worldwide. ICF is dedicated to advancing the coaching profession by setting high ethical standards, providing independent certification and building a worldwide network of credentialed coaches. Coaching is a distinct service and differs greatly from therapy, consulting, mentoring or training. ICF defines coaching as partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential. For more information, please visit our website at www.coachfederation.org.
ICF HEADQUARTERS CONTACT:
Abby Tripp Heverin, +1.859.219.3529