ICF Connecticut's Culture & Belonging initiative embodies ICF's commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) — creating a coaching community where everyone can thrive. We honor the idea that where belonging isn’t just something you find, it’s something you give.

In alignment with the ICF’s 2025 Code of Ethics, this space represents the combination of key concepts that support a range of similarities and difference, fair access and treatment, being welcoming, feeling a part of a group, and fairness.

For our chapter, that translates to creating spaces where:

• Everyone has a place — and the opportunity to help others find theirs
• Truth-telling is valued — we name what's real, let go of assumptions, and create room for honest conversations that bring awareness to systemic patterns of conscious and unconscious biases
• Different looks different — we recognize that engagement, communication, and participation don't follow a single template, honoring diverse communication styles, leadership approaches, and ways of being
• Coaches lead from insight — we leverage our unique vantage point to spark systemic change in our chapter and beyond

We're moving beyond surface-level inclusion toward a community where belonging is both experienced and actively created by every member.

Why it matters: Coaches hold unique insights about organizations, teams, and individuals. We see patterns. We understand the human dynamics that either build or break belonging.

Our opportunity:  Role model for how coaching communities can catalyze culture change—starting with ourselves.

Our conviction: When we get this right, we become a living resource for individuals and organization to improve their own culture and belonging.