Each year on March 8, International Women’s Day calls the world to action: Invest in women. Accelerate progress.

Progress, however, does not happen through intention alone. It happens when women are given access to the tools, support, and confidence they need to move forward. Coaching plays a powerful role in making that possible. Around the world, talented women face barriers that limit opportunity. Not because they lack ability, but because access to professional development and trusted guidance is often out of reach. Without that support, confidence can stall, aspirations can narrow, and potential can remain untapped.

At the ICF Foundation, we exist to help change that. Through global partnerships and evidence-based programs, we expand access to professional coaching so women can gain clarity, build confidence, and take meaningful steps toward what is next.

Investing in Women Through Coaching

The Ignite Initiative brings this commitment to life. Through our partnership with Coachmi and the Sungjoo Foundation, 10 women in Seoul, South Korea received professional coaching designed to strengthen leadership capacity and open new possibilities. The impact was immediate and deeply personal.

From the very first session, participants reported increased confidence and a renewed sense of agency. One woman shared how coaching helped her step into a new chapter of her life:

 “Coaching improved my confidence. It opened my eyes to new possibilities, including starting my second career and learning to use technologies like ChatGPT.”

Another participant reflected on how coaching supported emotional resilience and communication:

“I became more positive. When I communicate with others, I feel a strong self-confidence.”

These outcomes matter. Confidence shapes career decisions. Emotional resilience strengthens leadership. Clear communication builds stronger families, workplaces, and communities. The Ignite Initiative demonstrates what becomes possible when women have access to professional coaching. Progress becomes tangible, personal, and sustainable.

A Shared Opportunity to Accelerate Progress

On this International Women’s Day, the opportunity is clear. Investing in women accelerates progress, not only for individuals, but for communities and future generations. By supporting the ICF Foundation, you help expand access to coaching where it is needed most. Together, we inspire growth, enable transformation, and support people in thriving.

Learn more about the Ignite Initiative and how you can support the ICF Foundation’s work to advance coaching as a force for social change worldwide.