Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about coaching for the Women's Impact Alliance Empowered Leader Program
What is the time commitment?
What is the time commitment?
We leave it to you to design with your Catalyst how to best use the 12 hours of coaching so you can coach the way you coach best. The Empowered Leader Program is 9 months long, with an 8 month coaching period within the program, beginning in Month 2.
We leave it to you to design with your Catalyst how to best use the 12 hours of coaching so you can coach the way you coach best. The Empowered Leader Program is 9 months long, with an 8 month coaching period within the program, beginning in Month 2.
The program includes 12 hours of coaching plus an intro session over 8 months:.
The program includes 12 hours of coaching plus an intro session over 8 months:.
One 30-45 minute “get-to know you” call (not a coaching session)
Create safety and connect
Design preliminary agreements about when to coach, and what platform to use
Share about yourself
Coaching Session 1: One 60-90 minute Discovery Launch Session (see details below)
Coaching Sessions 2-11: Ten One hour coaching sessions twice monthly (bi-weekly or as you design with your Catalyst )
Coaching Session 12: A Completion Coaching Session (see details below)
One 30-45 minute “get-to know you” call (not a coaching session)
Create safety and connect
Design preliminary agreements about when to coach, and what platform to use
Share about yourself
Coaching Session 1: One 60-90 minute Discovery Launch Session (see details below)
Coaching Sessions 2-11: Ten One hour coaching sessions twice monthly (bi-weekly or as you design with your Catalyst )
Coaching Session 12: A Completion Coaching Session (see details below)
Who are the catalysts I will be coaching in the ELP program?
Who are the catalysts I will be coaching in the ELP program?
WIA Catalysts are high-potential women leaders working on the frontlines of social and environmental change: nonprofit leaders, social entrepreneurs, activists, and advocates spanning 95+ countries.
WIA Catalysts are high-potential women leaders working on the frontlines of social and environmental change: nonprofit leaders, social entrepreneurs, activists, and advocates spanning 95+ countries.
They are selected through a rigorous application process that identifies extraordinary change-makers who are ready for deep transformation and committed to their own growth. While they bring a variety of coaching focus areas, they all share a drive to grow as leaders and amplify their impact in the world.
They are selected through a rigorous application process that identifies extraordinary change-makers who are ready for deep transformation and committed to their own growth. While they bring a variety of coaching focus areas, they all share a drive to grow as leaders and amplify their impact in the world.
How do I get matched?
How do I get matched?
WIA handles the matching process. We match coaches and Catalysts based primarily on timezone compatibility, while also considering your coaching experience and your Catalyst's specific needs and goals.
WIA handles the matching process. We match coaches and Catalysts based primarily on timezone compatibility, while also considering your coaching experience and your Catalyst's specific needs and goals.
Your Catalyst may be based in a different country than where you live. Our coaches currently span more than 30 countries, while our Catalysts come from over 95 countries. Once matched, you'll be invited to onboard and begin with the next available cohort.
Your Catalyst may be based in a different country than where you live. Our coaches currently span more than 30 countries, while our Catalysts come from over 95 countries. Once matched, you'll be invited to onboard and begin with the next available cohort.
What discovery process should I use at the start of the coaching relationship?
What discovery process should I use at the start of the coaching relationship?
We ask that after the “get to know you” call, you start with a discovery or launch session with your Catalyst, to accomplish three things:
We ask that after the “get to know you” call, you start with a discovery or launch session with your Catalyst, to accomplish three things:
Identify focus areas and goals for the coaching overall
Begin to explore strengths, barriers, blindspots, aspirations
Design how you will work together, including logistics and the intention for ways of being together.
Identify focus areas and goals for the coaching overall
Begin to explore strengths, barriers, blindspots, aspirations
Design how you will work together, including logistics and the intention for ways of being together.
Our experience and the feedback from Catalysts has been that the Discovery Questionnaire and discovery/launch session have both been really important. It allows for a quick start together, with getting clear on goals, and creating a container of trust and connection between you and your Catalyst.
Our experience and the feedback from Catalysts has been that the Discovery Questionnaire and discovery/launch session have both been really important. It allows for a quick start together, with getting clear on goals, and creating a container of trust and connection between you and your Catalyst.
The discovery questionnaire is given to all Catalysts. They are asked to complete it and return to their coach confidentially prior to the Discovery Session. If you have other assessments, tools and approaches you regularly use, feel free to use them to best serve your Catalyst and to support you in doing your best coaching. If you want to use your own discovery/launch tools, it’s absolutely fine, please share this with your Catalyst during/after your get-to-know-you call.
The discovery questionnaire is given to all Catalysts. They are asked to complete it and return to their coach confidentially prior to the Discovery Session. If you have other assessments, tools and approaches you regularly use, feel free to use them to best serve your Catalyst and to support you in doing your best coaching. If you want to use your own discovery/launch tools, it’s absolutely fine, please share this with your Catalyst during/after your get-to-know-you call.
Does the coaching length of 8 months mean we may be coaching Catalysts from two different Cohorts at the same time?
Does the coaching length of 8 months mean we may be coaching Catalysts from two different Cohorts at the same time?
Sometimes you may be finishing up with one Catalyst and beginning with another one for the subsequent cohort within the same few weeks. If you and your Catalyst are diligent about scheduling sessions and do not have extended breaks between sessions, there should not be any significant overlap.
Sometimes you may be finishing up with one Catalyst and beginning with another one for the subsequent cohort within the same few weeks. If you and your Catalyst are diligent about scheduling sessions and do not have extended breaks between sessions, there should not be any significant overlap.
Note, in the last three of the seven to eight months of coaching a Catalyst, you will probably be coaching less frequently, so there will be less of a time commitment. Let us know if you have questions, concerns etc. regarding the timing. We will send out a confirmation form ahead of time regarding your availability to coach during a particular cohort so you can always manage your time commitment.
Note, in the last three of the seven to eight months of coaching a Catalyst, you will probably be coaching less frequently, so there will be less of a time commitment. Let us know if you have questions, concerns etc. regarding the timing. We will send out a confirmation form ahead of time regarding your availability to coach during a particular cohort so you can always manage your time commitment.
Does it matter if we do weekly or twice a month (bi-weekly) sessions? What’s the ‘pace’?
Does it matter if we do weekly or twice a month (bi-weekly) sessions? What’s the ‘pace’?
We ask that you design this with your Catalyst, and coach the way that you coach best. For the first 8 sessions, we have found that having a Discovery Session in Week One, then weekly calls for the next two weeks (three calls in three weeks) can help create momentum. Then going forward every other week can work well to provide space for Catalysts to practice and put into action their learnings from coaching.
We ask that you design this with your Catalyst, and coach the way that you coach best. For the first 8 sessions, we have found that having a Discovery Session in Week One, then weekly calls for the next two weeks (three calls in three weeks) can help create momentum. Then going forward every other week can work well to provide space for Catalysts to practice and put into action their learnings from coaching.
For the last four sessions during months 5 through 7, schedule every few weeks to check in and support a Catalyst’s continued growth and practice.
For the last four sessions during months 5 through 7, schedule every few weeks to check in and support a Catalyst’s continued growth and practice.
What about the Completion session?
What about the Completion session?
For the last session, even if you are continuing to coach with your Catalyst after the official Empowered Leader Program ends, we ask that you have a Completion Session to mark the end of the coaching in the ELP program.. During this time, review key learnings, ‘what they are taking with them’, what they are leaving behind and releasing. Celebrate, champion, and design how you will be connected going forward after the ELP. You may do a number of different things - everything from: agreeing to continue to coach your Catalyst formally, to scheduling a check-in periodically, to completing altogether and wishing each other all great things, or even schedule a time to meet in person if you have an opportunity. We leave this for you and your Catalyst to decide. Often very special relationships are formed and we certainly want to encourage that.
For the last session, even if you are continuing to coach with your Catalyst after the official Empowered Leader Program ends, we ask that you have a Completion Session to mark the end of the coaching in the ELP program.. During this time, review key learnings, ‘what they are taking with them’, what they are leaving behind and releasing. Celebrate, champion, and design how you will be connected going forward after the ELP. You may do a number of different things - everything from: agreeing to continue to coach your Catalyst formally, to scheduling a check-in periodically, to completing altogether and wishing each other all great things, or even schedule a time to meet in person if you have an opportunity. We leave this for you and your Catalyst to decide. Often very special relationships are formed and we certainly want to encourage that.
Is it okay if I continue to coach my Catalyst after the official Empowered Leader Program period ends?
Is it okay if I continue to coach my Catalyst after the official Empowered Leader Program period ends?
Part of your completion session should be designing how you will be connected moving forward. It’s important to clearly mark the end of the WIA program and the beginning of new work together, if the two of you decide to continue coaching together. We ask that you do a few things if you continue working with your Catalyst after the WIA program period:
Part of your completion session should be designing how you will be connected moving forward. It’s important to clearly mark the end of the WIA program and the beginning of new work together, if the two of you decide to continue coaching together. We ask that you do a few things if you continue working with your Catalyst after the WIA program period:
At the close of the ELP program, please let your Catalyst know about the WIA Alumnae Coaching Program, where they can continue their leadership development journey, either by continuing to work with you or by choosing a new coach. This is a wonderful way for them to continue their growth as well as stay connected to WIA's network beyond the program. Our Alumnae Coaching Program is an important source of income for WIA and it helps us continue offering the Empowered Leader Program at an accessible rate.
Here’s a link to the Alum Coaching form that they will fill out if they would like to continue their coaching with you or another WIA coach.Establish that you have completed the ELP coaching, and pause until you hear from WIA that your Catalyst has signed up to continue coaching with you.
If you contract with your Catalyst’s organization to coach inside their organization, including their colleagues, their team, or other work with her organization, we ask that you consider a donation of 15% of the fees to The Women’s Impact Alliance as a non-profit donation, and as a referral fee. We would be deeply grateful for this contribution, as it would support our commitment to make the WIA financially sustainable as a 501(c)(3) non-profit.
At the close of the ELP program, please let your Catalyst know about the WIA Alumnae Coaching Program, where they can continue their leadership development journey, either by continuing to work with you or by choosing a new coach. This is a wonderful way for them to continue their growth as well as stay connected to WIA's network beyond the program. Our Alumnae Coaching Program is an important source of income for WIA and it helps us continue offering the Empowered Leader Program at an accessible rate.
Here’s a link to the Alum Coaching form that they will fill out if they would like to continue their coaching with you or another WIA coach.Establish that you have completed the ELP coaching, and pause until you hear from WIA that your Catalyst has signed up to continue coaching with you.
If you contract with your Catalyst’s organization to coach inside their organization, including their colleagues, their team, or other work with her organization, we ask that you consider a donation of 15% of the fees to The Women’s Impact Alliance as a non-profit donation, and as a referral fee. We would be deeply grateful for this contribution, as it would support our commitment to make the WIA financially sustainable as a 501(c)(3) non-profit.
What if we have scheduling issues, and my Catalyst and I are delayed in completing the program because of travel and vacations, or my Catalyst is out of touch?
What if we have scheduling issues, and my Catalyst and I are delayed in completing the program because of travel and vacations, or my Catalyst is out of touch?
We understand that both you and your Catalyst/s are busy, and hiccups in the timing of your sessions can happen. We ask that you make every effort to complete the program in 8 months. If you and your Catalyst are making good progress and the communication is strong and expectations are met for both you and your Catalyst, just continue and email us that you are working on completing, and all is well.
We understand that both you and your Catalyst/s are busy, and hiccups in the timing of your sessions can happen. We ask that you make every effort to complete the program in 8 months. If you and your Catalyst are making good progress and the communication is strong and expectations are met for both you and your Catalyst, just continue and email us that you are working on completing, and all is well.
On the other hand, if it appears as if your Catalyst doesn’t have the time to coach, has consistent scheduling problems or seems disengaged, we would ask you to be authentic with your Catalyst and get curious with them about what’s happening, and hopefully resolve things.
On the other hand, if it appears as if your Catalyst doesn’t have the time to coach, has consistent scheduling problems or seems disengaged, we would ask you to be authentic with your Catalyst and get curious with them about what’s happening, and hopefully resolve things.
If things don’t appear to be moving forward, please reach out to Ramona at ramona@thewia.org and we can jump in and help. We are here as your partners, so please reach out as early as possible when you run into roadblocks, so that we can provide adequate support and solutions early on.
If things don’t appear to be moving forward, please reach out to Ramona at ramona@thewia.org and we can jump in and help. We are here as your partners, so please reach out as early as possible when you run into roadblocks, so that we can provide adequate support and solutions early on.
If for some unforeseen reason, you find that you are not able to complete your coaching with your Catalyst, please contact us as soon as possible.
If for some unforeseen reason, you find that you are not able to complete your coaching with your Catalyst, please contact us as soon as possible.
If there is a problem with my Catalyst, or the coaching relationship fundamentally doesn’t seem to be working, what should I do?
If there is a problem with my Catalyst, or the coaching relationship fundamentally doesn’t seem to be working, what should I do?
It’s very unusual, but once in a while, for any number of reasons, there isn’t a fit between the coach and Catalyst. It might also be that the Catalyst has a specific expectation for coaching, or the coaching style isn’t a fit for the Catalyst. It may be that for some reason there is a conflict of interest on the part of the coach. Again, it’s very rare that this happens, but if it does, we hold that both the Catalyst and the coach are competent, well-intentioned, and committed, but we may need to make a switch and rematch. We ask that you reach out to Ramona Harvey at ramona@thewia.org and we will start the conversation about next steps. Please know that you can count on us to listen with a generous spirit, and support you and your Catalyst moving forward without blame but towards the next best path.
It’s very unusual, but once in a while, for any number of reasons, there isn’t a fit between the coach and Catalyst. It might also be that the Catalyst has a specific expectation for coaching, or the coaching style isn’t a fit for the Catalyst. It may be that for some reason there is a conflict of interest on the part of the coach. Again, it’s very rare that this happens, but if it does, we hold that both the Catalyst and the coach are competent, well-intentioned, and committed, but we may need to make a switch and rematch. We ask that you reach out to Ramona Harvey at ramona@thewia.org and we will start the conversation about next steps. Please know that you can count on us to listen with a generous spirit, and support you and your Catalyst moving forward without blame but towards the next best path.
What if my Catalyst has goals that are personal goals, not seemingly related to their work?
What if my Catalyst has goals that are personal goals, not seemingly related to their work?
We ask that you coach the whole person within the context of their leadership development. We not only invite you but anticipate that you will be working with your Catalyst on areas that are deeply personal. That being said, as WIA coaches, with all of the work that we do with our Catalysts, we want to be making connections to their leadership development. This supports them in being able to create profound, sustainable impact through their work.
We ask that you coach the whole person within the context of their leadership development. We not only invite you but anticipate that you will be working with your Catalyst on areas that are deeply personal. That being said, as WIA coaches, with all of the work that we do with our Catalysts, we want to be making connections to their leadership development. This supports them in being able to create profound, sustainable impact through their work.
What are the benefits of being a WIA coach?
What are the benefits of being a WIA coach?
The most meaningful benefit our coaches describe is the deep fulfillment of working with a WIA Catalyst. Many say it's one of the most rewarding coaching experiences of their careers.
The most meaningful benefit our coaches describe is the deep fulfillment of working with a WIA Catalyst. Many say it's one of the most rewarding coaching experiences of their careers.
Beyond that, as a WIA coach you become part of a global community of 250+ top-tier executive coaches from 30+ countries, with access to ongoing professional development and connection through our Empower Hour sessions, Coach Mastery Sessions, and Open Coaches Calls. It's a community of peers who share your values and your commitment to making the world better.
Beyond that, as a WIA coach you become part of a global community of 250+ top-tier executive coaches from 30+ countries, with access to ongoing professional development and connection through our Empower Hour sessions, Coach Mastery Sessions, and Open Coaches Calls. It's a community of peers who share your values and your commitment to making the world better.
Will I meet other coaches?
Will I meet other coaches?
Absolutely. WIA coaches are a vibrant, global community and we make connection a priority. You'll have regular opportunities to engage with fellow coaches through our Empower Hour sessions, Coach Mastery Sessions, and Open Coaches Calls, spaces designed for learning, sharing, and building relationships with coaches from around the world.
Absolutely. WIA coaches are a vibrant, global community and we make connection a priority. You'll have regular opportunities to engage with fellow coaches through our Empower Hour sessions, Coach Mastery Sessions, and Open Coaches Calls, spaces designed for learning, sharing, and building relationships with coaches from around the world.
Join the Movement
The Women's Impact Alliance is a proud 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax deductible organization founded in 2014 (EIN 81-2582448)
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Copyright © 2026
Join the Movement
The Women's Impact Alliance is a proud 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax deductible organization founded in 2014 (EIN 81-2582448)
Sign Up for Our Newsletter for Stories, Events, and Resources
Copyright © 2026