Our DEI Coaching With Confidence Committment
This is about equity, about industry-wide change, about creating ripples…
Having established MRA in 2011 we have been on a mission to advocate for raising standards across the Professional Coaching industry. Our values of ‘Proudly at the forefront – the highest standards of global executive coaching capability’ and ‘Committed to a thriving world – inclusively and sustainably making a difference for all our futures’ led to the creation in 2022 of the MRA DEI Coaching with Confidence Programme.
We aim to invest in, and develop coaches, building a new talent pipeline into our industry and supporting Professional Coaching amongst organisations and communities who may not have previously considered coaching or seen themselves as a right fit for the industry.
100 fully funded Professional Coaches by 2032
At MRA we know that the future credibility of the coaching profession is dependent on opening it up to create opportunity for people from diverse backgrounds to train as coaches which is why we are committing to fully funding training of 100 new coaches by 2032 to Level 5 Practitioner status. We are specifically looking to develop diverse talent in the industry no matter their background, race, disability, age, sexuality, gender identity or expression.
This about investing in and developing coaches who may never have considered coaching as a profession or seen themselves as the right fit for an industry that continues to be dominated by white, 40+ year old women.
Inclusive, equitable, and regenerative systems
Aligned to our B Corp ambitions this programme gives access to Professional Coach Training with a requirement that delegates go out into their organisations, communities, societies and create their own lasting and impactful change – paying it forward one coach at a time…
We really hope that, with the help of everyone around us, we can move to build a new talent pipeline into our industry and to support Professional Coaching within organisations and communities with coaches who reflect the society they serve.
Let’s do this together, not for us, but for the people whose lives have potentially been less privileged than our own, and to whom we can give an opportunity to develop to this very high standard with a globally recognised qualification – something we can all be immensely proud of.
Our 2023 Stories
Olivia's story
My journey with the 2023 MRA DEI Coaching with Confidence programme has been both personally and professionally transformative. From the moment I joined I felt an immediate connection to the programme’s mission of fostering Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) withing the coaching industry.
Engaging with a diverse cohort of individuals in the programme was an enriching experience. I felt genuinely included and valued for my unique perspectives. This feeling of belonging was empowering and affirming, reinforcing the importance of creating spaces within my own coaching practice where all voices are heard and respected. The DEI CWC programme provided a safe space for me to learn, share and listen to others, building a community of mutual respect and understanding. The training sessions were both enlightening and challenging. They required me to develop deeper patience, cultivate empathy and continuously challenge my own biases and assumptions. Each step forward in my personal growth as coach felt like a small victory, not just for myself but for the broader community who have faced similar challenges with confidence or seeing themselves represented.
Our 2022 Stories
Shan's story
In late 2021 I was sent an email internally with the opportunity to participate in the first-ever MRA DEI Coaching with Confidence programme. Having had no experience of being coached in my life I had no idea what this was all about but my line manager encouraged me to apply.
Throughout my life I have struggled with academia and my first thoughts were that I couldn’t possibly complete this; I didn’t have the confidence in myself to study for sustained periods of time. The DEI CWC programme gave me what I had missed for so long – it gave me confidence that I could achieve a formal qualification. The coaches were able to challenge and support me throughout my learning experience, and the rest of the cohort all pulled together to create memories and friendships that I’m certain will last forever.
Discover more about MRA
Learn more about the work we do at MRA: our purpose, values and commitment not only towards Executive Coaching, but also to improve the industry within which we work for the benefit of people and planet.