Coaching Across Differences:
Building Authentic Connections in a Dynamic World
Date: Tuesday, July 22, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM CST
Location: Zoom
CEU: Pending
Description:
In May 2025, Dr. Denise E. Williams (“Dr. Dew”) led a compelling session titled “The Coaching Catalyst: Sparking Hope and Belonging in Uncertain Times.”Building upon that foundation, this panel brings together experienced coaches to share real-world applications of those principles.
Join us for an engaging discussion with seasoned coaches about their experiences working with clients from diverse and underserved communities. Through candid conversations and shared experiences, our panelists will discuss:
- Establishing trust and creating a safe space with clients from varied backgrounds
- Adapting coaching approaches to meet the unique needs of each client
- Understanding and addressing unique challenges that clients may face
- Marketing coaching services in a way that resonates with broader communities
- Engaging in continuous personal growth to enhance cultural awareness
Whether you’re looking to expand your client base, refine your coaching approach, or deepen your understanding of nuances impacting your clients, this session offers valuable insights to enhance your practice.
Event Focus
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Awareness & Insight Building
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Highlight the systemic challenges and barriers faced by underserved communities.
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Share stories or case studies that illustrate real experiences.
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Discuss the importance of cultural humility and understanding intersectionality in coaching.
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Effective Skills for Coaches
Event Goals
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Raise Awareness
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Empower Coaches
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Improve the coaches ability to partner with the client to create a safe, supportive environment that allows the client to share freely and maintain a relationship of mutual respect and trust.
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Encourage coaches to reflect on their biases and take steps toward cultural competence and humility.
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Create a Dialogue
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Provide a safe and engaging platform for discussing challenges and opportunities related to coaching underserved clients.
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Enable coaches to learn directly from panelists with expertise and lived experiences in equity-focused coaching.
Desired Outcomes
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Enhanced Awareness
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Attendees gain an increased understanding of the unique challenges faced by underserved communities and the role coaches can play in addressing inequities.
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Promote cultural humility and foster inclusive mindsets among participants.
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Equity-Focused Practices
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Equip coaches with frameworks for successfully working with diverse and underserved populations.
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Ensure attendees leave the event feeling empowered and committed to drive positive change within their coaching practices.
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Commitment to Equity
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Coaches feel inspired and motivated to take intentional steps toward equity and inclusivity within their own practices and organizations.
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A stronger commitment to dismantling barriers and advocating for systemic change in the coaching profession.
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Networking and Collaboration
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Participants connect with peers, panelists, and community leaders who share a commitment to equity and inclusion.
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Opportunities for continued collaboration and dialogue beyond the event.
Bios and Photos of Speakers:
Victor has over 20 years of human resources, change management, diversity, inclusion & belonging, and executive coaching experience focused on helping leaders and teams navigate roadblocks that obstruct their pathways to success.
His clients identify him as a big picture thinker who understands his clients’ needs. He builds trusting relationships that allow him to meaningfully challenge others to expand their way of thinking and empower their future.
Victor’s experience ranges from start-ups to Fortune 100 corporations and includes time in educational, government, not-for-profit and corporate environments. He holds a B.A. from the University of Michigan, and a MBA from Simon Business School in Rochester, NY. He completed doctoral coursework in Organization Development at the University of St. Thomas and holds executive coaching certifications in the Bridges Coaching method, Leader Coach model and Leadership Effectiveness Training (LET) processes. Additionally, Victor is certified to facilitate a variety of assessments and coaching models.
Nirav is an Executive Coach, Team Performance Coach and Business Growth Consultant. He is the Founder and President of Stratosphere (www.stratosphere-llc.com), a coaching and consulting firm whose mission is to take individuals and businesses to new heights.
Nirav offers coaching programs, workshops and retreats on leadership development and improving team performance. He has worked with leaders in Fortune 500 companies as well as smaller businesses and non-profits to enhance personal and professional leadership and increase team engagement, collaboration and performance.
As a business growth consultant, Nirav helps coaches grow their business through business and marketing strategy services and non-profit organizations achieve their mission through strategic planning services.
Prior to founding Stratosphere, Nirav has 25 years of experience in the MedTech industry, primarily at Medtronic, in various leadership roles including general management, global marketing and program management. He has a Master of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering.
He has served on the Board of Directors of multiple non-profit organizations such as Volunteers of America (MN/WI Chapter), Living Well Disability Services and International Coaching Federation (MN Chapter).
Nirav also practices and teaches meditation across the country as a volunteer.
I’m Coach Gemi Hartojo—a certified CPCC, PCC Business Coach who helps Muslim women create heart-centered businesses, careers, and lives. I empower you to bring those niggly dreams and nudges to life, so you can step fully into who Allah created you to be—without any cookie-cutter approaches.
My mission is to plant seeds of transformation across the Ummah—drawing on my lived experience, coaching expertise, and the unique zone of genius Allah has granted me—to nurture the next generation of Khalifah entrepreneurs in building businesses deeply aligned with our values.
I do this by guiding you in designing a balanced, soul-aligned life and business that reflect your purpose, mission, values, and unique strengths through these offerings:
One-on-one intensives and group programs like The Khalifah Leadership Program & the Aligned Muslimah Program
Digital toolkits, Self-paced learning, workshops, and retreats focused on leadership development, mindset mastery (overthinking & people-pleasing), business strategy, and personal well-being
Fun, heart-regulating coaching that honors your pace, your flow, and your joy as you build something truly purposeful—and profitable.
Executive & Team Coaching (Global Reach):
I deliver in-person programs across Indonesia, Nigeria, Malaysia, and the USA—partnering with high-performing corporate and startup teams to co-create cultures aligned with company goals. I weave in soft-skills training, the Co-Active Leadership methodology, and Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People to drive sustainable growth and deeper engagement.
Design Thinking for Entrepreneurs: Leaning into design thinking principles, I coach you through ideation, brainstorming, and storming sessions—harnessing flow and energy to craft business models and offerings that are unmistakably yours.
Background & Credentials: With over 25 years of global experience in management and startup leadership—spanning Fortune 500/5000 environments where I led digital transformations, product launches, and investment pitches—I hold a BA in Economics, an MBA in Marketing, and accreditations as a CPCC and ICF-accredited PCC.
Let’s have fun, regulate your heart, and build a business rooted in barakah—together.