Featuring this month's Coaching Fellow, Aisha Sheikh.
One of the most rewarding things I do both professionally and personally is pro bono coaching for the Coaching Fellowship. I have the great privilege of working with some extraordinary young women who are making a positive change in our universe.
“The fellowship community is made up of nonprofit leaders, impact entrepreneurs, activists, rocket scientists, artists and more – all young women leaders of impact dedicating their lives to building the world of tomorrow today.”
At this point, I’ve probably got eight fellows under my belt and each one has been such a gift. They are inspiring and keep me connected to the younger generation. As I don’t have children of my own, it’s a way for me to give back to young people and to offer what I have learned throughout my many years as a business woman and student of life.
Today, I’d like to feature my most recent client, Aisha Sheikh.
Aisha Sheikh and Wendy Appel - We finally met face-to-face in Palo Alto, California when I was there on business. We took these selfies to mark the occasion.
Who is Aisha? She is Canadian, Kenyan, Yemeni, and speaks Swahili, Arabic, English, and French. She’s talented, smart, wise and beautiful (inside and out). Aisha works full-time at Stanford ChangeLabs, part-time as a Design teacher at The Nueva School and runs the San Francisco hub of Sandbox Global (formerly known as Thousand Network).
When we first met (via phone) she was a bit hesitant and I think, hoped to make a great impression. She did. Well, that hesitation changed quickly. Aisha took on her development with fervor and showed me all of who she was, without reserve.
She quickly benefitted from her willingness to be vulnerable and reflect and from the concrete actions she took in-between our sessions. What a joy to witness her growth in such a short period of time!
Young people (all fellows are in the 20’s and early 30’s) are generally more willing to be learners and consequently are less protected and defended. Beginners’ mind is key to our ability to develop, change and transform.
Toward the end of our coaching engagement (we commit to eight one-hour session with each coaching fellow), Aisha was accepted into the Singularity University Global Solutions Program, a tremendous honor.
Aisha will find me cheering her on from the sidelines. I’ll be watching her continue to blossom and step fully into the amazing woman that she is.
If you’re a coach, I highly recommend joining the Coaching Fellowship. If any of you readers are so inclined, a donation, however small, would be welcome to help fund the administration of this leader program. It runs lean and provides immeasurable value!
You can connect with Trilogy Effect today.
