ICF Connecticut Newsletter
ICF-CT Communications | Published on 7/23/2026
Hello everyone,
Welcome to our 2026-2027 program year! This year we’re celebrating our 25th anniversary: twenty-five years of providing support and programs for members of the ICF-CT coaching community. Traditionally, the silver anniversary celebrates commitment and enduring affection. It’s a milestone that both recognizes the challenges and growth of the past, and looks toward a future filled with continued connection and happiness.
Our board of directors recently had the opportunity to gather for our annual retreat, an event that includes both reflection on where we’ve been and visioning for our future. I believe I can safely say that, as a board and a chapter, we have indeed grown through the challenges we’ve experienced, AND we are excited by the opportunities for connection and support that we have planned.
Before I share our vision for moving forward, I do have some timely news to share. After our recent board elections, we received news from ICF Global that our board was unknowingly out-of-compliance. Three of our board members - Lauren Krasnow, Naomi Rafalowicz, and Stephanie Tishler - had already served 6 consecutive years on the board, which is the maximum allowed by our by-laws. Because an option for extension is not written into our by-laws, they will be unable to serve on the 2026-2027 board. A bit of unexpected news, to say the least, but as a chapter of a larger organization, we are bound by both the by-laws we create for our chapter and the by-laws of ICF Global.
Our board, and especially the three board members most impacted, met this challenge with grace and thoughtfulness. Both Naomi and Steph, who had planned to serve as co-directors, have very graciously agreed to stay on their respective committees and will be supporting their committee directors as we all adjust to this unexpected change. Lauren, while not able to serve as secretary, has already found a new way to stay involved through committee membership. Please join me in extending a heartfelt thank you to Lauren, Naomi, and Stephanie for their numerous contributions to the board and the chapter over the past six years. We are so appreciative that they will all continue to support the chapter in new ways.
Now it’s time to look forward. We are celebrating 25 years as a chapter, a milestone that invites us to both lean on the strengths we have developed and to share the wisdom we have gathered throughout these years. Moving into my second year as president, I am excited by the energy, commitment, and vision of our 26-27 board. In August, we’ll be sharing our monthly program schedule, which will include six virtual programs, three extended in-person programs, and the return of our conference. Stay tuned for more details!
In addition to our monthly programs, we have ideas for new member-only groups, expanded local socials, more public events, and ways to show appreciation and support for our individual chapter members. We also are fine-tuning ideas for a limited-time PEP offering to celebrate our 25th anniversary. Keep your eyes open - you won’t want to miss this silver jubilee PEP special!
More in August, but for now - thank you to all our board members and committee members for volunteering their time and energy to support our members, and thank you to our members for believing in us as a board as we move forward into our 26th year of professional coaching leadership in Connecticut.
As always, feel free to reach out to me directly to find out more, talk coaching, or simply connect. I hope to see you – either virtually or in-person at an upcoming event. Until then,
Keep sparkling!
Marta Koonz, PhD, PCC
ICF-CT Chapter President