Meet the Board - Szilvia Hock-Kovacs

Meet Szilvia Hock-Kovacs, our Associate Board Member for Recruitment!

We are excited to introduce our next member this week, Szilvia, who has joined our board as a volunteer focusing on recruitment! Her passion for matching talent with opportunities and her commitment to the coaching profession make her a wonderful addition to our team.

Here’s a little more about her journey, and what inspired her to join us:

Q: What motivated you to volunteer to join the UK ICF, and what drew you to this organisation specifically?

A: “Volunteering has always been an avenue I wanted to pursue more, and what truly motivated me to join the ICF UK Board was the chance to make a tangible difference in the lives of fellow coaches and at the same time to contribute to the work of the organisation leveraging my professional experience. I believe in the power of connection and creating meaningful opportunities, and I’m inspired by how ICF and the UK Chapter support coaches to thrive. The focus on fostering a diverse community and creating a space where coaching professionals can feel that their expertise and strengths matter, where they can grow and give back to the wider network really resonated with me.”

Q: Can you share a bit about your journey into coaching and what inspired you to pursue this path?

A: “My coaching journey began with my desire for growth when I was first appointed to lead a team during my career. I was terrified and only agreed to take the role if the company was to provide me with a coach during the first period. It was a small company where coaching wasn't part of the support available, but they took my request onboard and we were able to agree. As a psychologist who has then spent another decade in talent acquisition, I found myself yearning to work with my connections on an even more personal level. Coaching was a natural fit—it allowed me to use my skills to work with others to move forward and progress in their work-life, whilst also challenging myself to continuously keep learning. Seeing the transformation in my clients is what drives me.”

Q: What are your personal goals or aspirations within the coaching profession, and how do you hope to make an impact via your coaching?

A: “I combine my background in psychology and business mindset in my coaching practice, which comes from decades of experience working with technology scale-ups and corporates on an international level. My goal is to help individuals navigate their own paths, and recognise their options whether that’s in their careers, work-life challenges, or personal growth. I work with experienced professionals and specialise in positive work-life solutions. Through my coaching, I hope to inspire a ripple effect—one where empowered individuals go on to empower others, creating a more supportive and inclusive professional environment.”

Q: How do you see your role within the UK ICF contributing to the wider coaching community and its future development?

A: “As an Associate Board Member focused on recruitment, I’m excited about the opportunity to help amplify the diverse perspectives and voices within our community. I believe that the strength of our organization lies in the richness of our members’ experiences, and I'm a firm believer in fostering growth for both fellow coaches and the wider coaching community through meaningful opportunities - a true win-win for all."

Interested in future opportunities of joining the ICF UK Board? 

Raise your hand as a volunteer and sign up here by indicating your preferences.