Events
WCC Conference – The Authentic Coach: Leading with Presence and Purpose
When: 11/7/2025
Western Carolinas Coaches Conference
The Authentic Coach: Leading with Presence and Purpose
Join us for a full-day professional development conference hosted by the Western Carolinas Coaches Subchapter of the ICF Charlotte Chapter. The Authentic Coach: Leading with Presence and Purpose brings together thought leaders, practitioners, and executives for a day of learning, networking, and growth.
Through interactive sessions, inspiring keynotes, and panel discussions, attendees will explore the power of authentic leadership and coach-like presence. This event offers rich opportunities to deepen skills, connect with peers, and apply new insights to real-world leadership and coaching contexts.
All conference registrants will have the option to complete two respected leadership assessments-- an abbreviated Actualized Leader Profile (ALP), courtesy of Actualized Performance Solutions, and the WorkPlace Big Five Profile® courtesy of Paradigm Personality Labs--offered by these sponsors at no additional cost.
A limited number of needs-based conference registration scholarships are available on a first-come, first-served basis for independent business owners, self-employed professionals, and non-profit organizations experiencing ongoing financial hardship related to Hurricane Helene. See the Scholarships section below for details and how to apply.
- Learn practical coaching approaches to unlock potential and improve performance.
- Explore fresh perspectives on healthy boundaries to support personal and
professional growth. - Gain insights from leaders on building a culture of coaching that drives
organizational results. - Understand the role of emotional intelligence in leadership and coaching
effectiveness. - Strengthen skills in staying grounded in the client's agenda while navigating
complex conversations.
Registration Details
ICF Charlotte/Western Carolinas Chapter Member (Please login to access member pricing) $125
Non-Member $175
Scholarships
A limited number of conference registration scholarships are being provided on a first-come, first-served basis for:
Independent business owners, self-employed professionals, or non-profit organizations that are experiencing ongoing financial hardship related to Hurricane Helene.
Coverage: The scholarship fully covers the conference registration fee for any approved applicant, regardless of ICF membership status.
How to apply: Do not register through this page. Instead, email WesternCarolinasCoaches@gmail.
Note: The Western Carolinas Coaches (WCC) retains full discretion over the awarding of scholarships and may limit multiple requests from the same organization.
Hotel Accommodations
Preferred hotel rates with DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Asheville - Biltmore are available for conference attendees.
Note: Number of available rooms are limited. The booking page defaults to a two-night stay, you may adjust your dates as needed.
Continuing Coach Education Credits (CCE)
Actualized Coaching: Turning Potential Into Performance | Dr. William L. Sparks, TED Speaker, Amazon # 1 Best Selling Author, and Award-Winning Teacher and Researcher
Will Sparks serves as the Dennis Thompson Distinguished Chair & Professor of Leadership at the McColl School of Business at Queens University of Charlotte. He is the author of "Actualized Teamwork: Unlocking the Culture Code for Optimal Performance" (2024) and "Actualized Leadership: Meeting Your Shadow & Maximizing Your Potential" (2019) by SHRM Books. In addition to his books Will has published numerous research papers and book chapters and has appeared on several media outlets, including The Washington Post, Inc., and NPR. His TED Talk "The Power of Self Awareness" was released in 2018. He completed his Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior and Development under the direction of Dr. Jerry B. Harvey from The George Washington University's School of Business and Public Management.
CCE Units: 0.5 CC, 0.5 RD
The Unbreakable Boundaries: 5 Principles to Living a Boundaried Lifestyle | Jen Maneely
Boundaries are so much more than simply telling someone what to do. It's more about living a lifestyle that supports your desires. We never have to reject the person, but we can establish the behaviors we will not accept in our lives. In this workshop, Jen provides 5 principles to help guide the people into cultivating a boundaried lifestyle.
Jennifer Maneely is a dynamic and experienced speaker, writer, consultant, and recovery enthusiast. With a personal journey that includes overcoming a severe drug addiction 17 years ago, Jennifer has dedicated her life to helping others navigate the challenges of addiction and recovery.
Recognizing the struggles that families face when dealing with their loved ones' addiction, Jennifer has spent over 6 years consulting with families, providing invaluable guidance on how to approach difficult conversations, make challenging decisions, and create a supportive environment for recovery.
Jennifer's expertise and compassionate approach have made her a sought-after speaker for numerous organizations and groups. She has shared her insights and knowledge with audiences from Rotary International to recovery facilities and various business groups. Her engaging and informative presentations leave a lasting impact, empowering individuals, and communities to support those on the path to recovery.
CCE Units: 0.75 CC, 0.25 RD
Leadership Panel: Leadership That Gets Results: The Impact of Creating a Coaching Culture | Harvey Smith, MCC with Anna Sullins, Ashley Geyer Jones and Ron Frissora
Panel discussion regarding the core competencies of being a Leader Coach and the impact of creating a Coaching Culture in organizations. Hear from 3 Business Leaders to share their perspectives and insights on the observable benefits of a Coaching Culture. This panel is facilitated by MCC Harvey Smith who has for the last 22 years supported thousands of individuals and teams become more highly effective.
Harvey Smith, MCC, Certified Mentor Coach, C-IQ, Leadership Coach, Certified Behavioral Analyst, Certified Communication Coach, Past President ICF-CACC, current Leader Western Carolinas Coaches, and Founding Partner Institute Success. Harvey began his coaching career after attending UNCC for Business Coaching in 2003. Harvey's previous career, was leading the largest division for the largest fabric converter in the U.S.
Anna Sullins, SPHR, SHRM-SCP is the Director of Learning & Development at The Biltmore Company, where she leads the Center for Professional Development and trains organizations nationwide on leadership, employee engagement, and organizational change. With 23 years of experience, a master's degree in Communication Studies from The University of Alabama, and Senior Professional certifications from HRCI and SHRM, she also oversees internal communication for nearly 2,000 employees. Anna serves on the leadership committee for WomanUp and the Board of Directors for Asheville Community Theatre.
Ashley Geyer Jones is the Chief People Officer at Certus, where she leads the company's human capital strategy and partners closely with business leaders to align people initiatives with growth objectives. She brings more than 20 years of experience spanning human resources, executive leadership, compliance, and law, including senior roles at Pilot Company and over a decade at Red Ventures--where she also served as General Manager of a business unit. Ashley holds a J.D. from the University of Richmond School of Law and a B.A. in Psychology from William & Mary.
Ronald Frissora, VP, Chief Information Officer, M/I Homes, inc. has been in leadership roles at M/I Homes for more than 30 years. His responsibilities include developing technology strategy that aligns and contributes to business goals, application development, and process improvement. Additionally, Ron leads the support and maintenance of the technology systems, operations, infrastructure, and architecture.
CCE Units: 0.75 CC, 0.25 RD
Your Emotional Intelligence Impact... As a Leader or Coach | Roxi Bahar Hewertson and Robin Funsten
Meaningful communication, powerful questioning and effective leadership require utilizing the 12 emotional intelligence competencies within the 4 quadrants of: Self-awareness, Self-management, Social awareness, and Relationship management. As a leader and/or a coach we first have to understand own impact on others. We can then help our clients and those we are responsible for become aware of who and what is impacting them and how they, in turn, are impacting others. EI can be learned, developed, and enhanced and today we're going to help everyone supercharge their EI and grow Emotional Fluency to become more confident in addressing whatever challenge arises.
Roxi Bahar Hewertson is a leadership expert, Presence-Based® and ICF Certified PCC executive coach, and organizational development expert with over three decades experience in higher education, business, and non-profits. She holds a MPS from Cornell University where she served as Adjunct Faculty and as a Senior Administrator. She is CEO of Highland Consulting Group, Inc. and author of "Hire Right, Fire Right: A Leader's Guide To Finding And Keeping Your Best People" and "Lead Like it Matters...Because it Does".
Robin Funsten holds a degree in Experiential Education and Psychology. She has extensive experience in Creative Facilitation,
Restorative Justice, Conflict Transformation, and Leadership and Team Dynamics. Certifications: Technology of Participation (TOP®) Facilitation; Collab®: Collaborative Communication Operating System; Conversational Intelligence® for Coaches; Lencioni's Five Behaviors® Authorized Partnerships; and Actualized Leadership and Group Culture Profile® Assessment tools, Robin has been facilitating generative and collaborative dialogue for over a decade.
CCE Units: 0.75 CC, 0.25 RD
Staying Grounded in the Client's Agenda: Who's Agenda is it Anyway? | Marcus Kirkman Sr.
As Coaches and being of Service to our coaching clients the shift from offering openness and curiosity during our coaching sessions, to becoming prescriptive and perhaps even judgmental can be extremely nuisanced and subtle. This program is a learning offering that equips Coaches with the awareness, tools, and insights to increase their Mindful presence as a Coach; remaining grounded to the clients' agenda opposed to their own agendas. In addition, equipping Coaches with the ability to notice when they have either shifted from the client's agenda or the conditions that increase the chances of shifting from the client's agenda.
Marcus R. Kirkman Sr. is a native of North Carolina. After graduating from high school, he joined the United States Navy where he Honorably served our country for 22 years and retired as a Senior Chief Petty Officer-Operations Specialist. He is a Certified Professional Health and Wellness Coach through WELLCOACHES, InterSpiritual Companion and Counselor, Certified Ayurveda Wellness Counselor, and Certified Mindfulness Facilitator/Trainer. Marcus is the Business Inclusion Manager for the City of Asheville. The beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville, NC is where he calls home. He is married to the lovely Allison Kirkman and they have two beautiful children and grandchildren. Servant Leadership is a core tenant in his Life.
CCE Units: 0.75 CC, 0.25 RD