Chapter Leadership May 2026

Last month, we officially "flipped the switch" on several long-awaited enhancements, including our new website and this inaugural newsletter, Finding Your True North.

A milestone like this takes a village, and I want to extend two special thank yous. First, on behalf of the board, I want to express deep gratitude to board members Nickie Smith and Vicki Mitchell. They have invested their time and talents for over a year to bring this to life; we literally could not have done this without their generosity of spirit, creativity, and dynamic partnership.

Second, I want to thank you.

The name Finding Your True North  was intended to resonate with individual coaches, but it is equally à propos for our chapter. Like any organization, we are organic—constantly learning, growing, and evolving. And, like most organisms, we tend to learn most when we encounter obstacles. In The Adversity Advantage, Dr. Paul Stoltz outlines three fundamental responses to challenges:

• Quit: Giving up when the terrain gets tough.
• Camp: Stopping to find comfort, safety, and rest.
• Climb: Pushing to reach the next peak.

As coaches, we know there are many shades between and that none of these are irreversible--or necessarily mutually exclusive! But, it is a helpful metaphor. As a chapter, we’ve recently trekked to a new height. As we celebrate this milestone and plan for the next, its a natural opportunity to 'camp', while we catch our breath, get inspired by your stories, and recalibrate before our next climb. As the Pacific Northwest finally puts the grey skies behind us and Spring takes root, it’s a natural time for us all to pause and ensure our internal compasses are aligned to a sense of purpose and our intended destination.

Looking Ahead: As we recalibrate and dream about what's next, there are wonderful opportunities to engage this month:

• International Coaching Week (May 11-17): A global celebration of our craft. We encourage you to explore the worldwide events here!
• Upskill & Connect: Check out the opportunities below to explore, grow, and volunteer with your fellow coaches.

Whether you are currently camping, climbing, or even reconsidering a path you're on, thank you for being part of this community. You are the reason we're here--and we are grateful to be on this journey with you.

Onward!

Ashley Wollam President, ICF Washington State