Our Story
From our humble beginnings, we have grown into a global association that fosters a culture of empathy, self-awareness, conscious leadership, and cooperation. We’ve developed comprehensive training programs and an internationally recognized certification process, ensuring quality and consistency in coaching practices.
Our journey took a significant turn when we expanded our training programs to provide targeted coaching services for businesses, organizations, individuals, and communities. Recognizing the need for resilience and empathy in challenging times, we have been proactive in offering support to communities in post-conflict and post-pandemic times.
Through all these transformations, one thing has remained constant – our commitment to fostering growth, collaboration, and integrity. Our association is built on a foundation of ethical and professional coaching standards and values, which guide our every decision and action.
Today, the ICU Association is a trusted authority in the coaching industry, impacting lives and organizations worldwide. Our story is not just about our growth and evolution but also about the positive impact we have made in the world of coaching.
As we continue to evolve, we remain committed to our mission of creating a supportive, developmental environment comfortable for everyone, stimulating empathy, self-awareness, conscious leadership, and cooperation. We are proud of our story so far and excited about the journey that lies ahead.
2006
Begining
Our journey began in 2006 with an idea, a shared vision, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. It started with an assembly of various training organizations and centers, each running coaching programs with a common aim: to maintain high standards in coaching training and drive continuous growth in business psychology, mutual self-respect and acceptance.
These entities came together, reaching a consensus on the fundamental standards in coaching education, ethical norms, and key competencies, grounded in the classic coaching concepts of T. Gallwey, J. Whitmore, and T. Leonard. That time they agreed upon principles for maintaining a unified record of certified specialists, providing these experts with information, support, and opportunities to participate in certification programs as coach consultants, no matter their location.
2010
Recognition
By 2010, our reach extended beyond the boundaries of our initial community, with our training programs and certifications being recognized in more than 32 countries. It was a significant milestone that marked the beginning of our global impact.
2011
International Coach & Trainer Association
On October 3, 2011, the International Coach Union (ICU) and the International Coaching Network (ICN) solidified this collective pursuit of excellence by establishing the International Coach & Trainer Association (ICTA). Representing the ICU, Master Trainer M. Dzernakovski, and representing the ICN, Master Trainers Jack and Helen Makani, signed the statutory document, marking a significant milestone in our evolution. This partnership further solidified also the ICU Association’s commitment to upholding high standards in coaching training and providing support to certified specialists worldwide.
2023
Luxembourg
Fast forward to May 5, 2023, the ICU Association Asbl was officially founded in Luxembourg, representing a fresh and exciting chapter in our evolution. This marked a significant milestone as we expanded our footprint and influence across the globe.
2025
USA Office
We’re proud to announce the opening of our new USA branch, expanding the Coaching Union’s mission to empower coaches and communities worldwide.