Photo credit: Phil Askew
About me
I started my career as a corporate lawyer and quickly developed a passion for human rights and intercultural collaboration when I moved from London to Cape Town in the mid 90’s. South Africa was going through unimaginable transformation following the election of Nelson Mandela. This experience introduced me to the concept of Ubuntu - that our interconnectedness is the essence of being human - which has become the driving force behind everything I do
I then spent nearly 20 years living and working in countries recovering from conflict and upheaval before moving back to the UK in 2014. During that time, I worked with a wide range of individuals and organisations in the For-Profit, Not-For-Profit, Governmental and Inter-Governmental sectors, leading large-scale change initiatives involving multicultural teams and cross-sectoral collaboration
Over the years, I’ve learned two key things:
it’s essential put humanity right at the centre of leadership, so that we lead ourselves and others in a way that is inclusive and empowers everyone to reach their full potential
effective leaders lead as themselves and take 100% ownership for the choices they make
I’m a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach® and Executive Coach, trained by the Co-ActiveTraining Institute, with over 10 years professional coaching experience. I’m also an Organisational and Relationship Systems Coach, trained by CRR Global. I also hold space for grief and am an End of Life Doula and am currently enjoying being part of Francis Weller’s Grief Ritual Training, Entering the Healing Ground.
As well as coaching my own clients, I’m Programme Architect at Ivy House - working with clients to design and deliver tailor-made leadership development programmes. I also work with Bird – providing resilience coaching for Not-For-Profit leaders and their teams - with Climate Change Coaches - coaching green transition professionals - and with the UN Staff College - supporting UN professionals as they work together to tackle global challenges.
For additional information about my career and some more testimonials, please check out LinkedIn.
Get in touch now to explore how we can work together.
“Zelah’s coaching facilitated personal growth, healing and new insights and much of the knowledge I gained then still guides me today. She knows just the right questions to ask which allow you to uncover your own unique strengths, talents and gifts, and to truly realize your own potential. Zelah does this by supporting you to become more you, to shine brighter - not by trying to change you into someone else.”
“My wife Sally and I have worked together running our own business for 15 years. Working with Zelah was an amazing experience. It helped us to untangle ourselves from some of the unhelpful habits we had got trapped in, to see each others value more clearly and to take hold of the idea that our business is for us, that we can make it what ever we want it to be. In practical terms our business is now more fun, more free, there is more work coming in because we have a more unique identity and we are happier and more ourselves. It’s been fantastic.”