Tonya Echols is a multi-award-winning international coach and consultant and the Founder and Managing Principal of Vigere®, an executive leadership coaching and consulting firm. With almost 30 years of experience in corporate management, digital and traditional media, technology, and finance, Tonya works with organizations around the world, applying her diverse professional background and real-world experience of successfully leading large teams and addressing various management challenges. She partners with individuals, teams, and organizations to create actionable human-centric solutions that allow them to accomplish their goals and become impactful transformational leaders and corporate citizens. Tonya is an adjunct professor at William & Mary. A contributing member of the Forbes Coaches Council, she is also a Leadership Coach for the TED Fellows Coaching and Mentoring Initiative and a member of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology and the American Psychological Association. Her writing has also been featured in several publications, including Forbes and HuffPost. She holds a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University and is a summa cum laude graduate of the University of Tennessee in Business Administration-Accounting. Tonya is also a doctoral candidate in Leadership Psychology from William James College with emphases in Neuroscience and Inclusive Leadership. She is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) credentialed by the International Coach Federation (ICF), of which she is a Director of both the Professional Coaches Global Board and the Global Enterprise Board. In founding Vigere®, Tonya wanted to take the world of leadership development beyond just helping individuals become stronger leaders. She focuses on helping the entire system develop in ways that support an organization’s overall vision. Tonya focuses on individual and collective values, beliefs, and motivations alongside operational processes. Transformational and sustainable change happens at deeper levels of awareness and intention. Using a combination of coaching, training/ education, change leadership, and consulting, Tonya helps leaders and organizations experience deeper levels of awareness and focus that create transformative and sustainable growth. Tonya is a Certified Diversity Executive (CDE)®, and one of the core aspects of her firm’s focus is the commitment to engaging with Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging, and Justice (DEIBJ) as an integral aspect of Leadership Development. Inclusive leadership is not an add-on skill; it is a mindset and consistent commitment to ensuring that people from all backgrounds and experiences are respected, valued, and engaged members of an organization. The world has never been more globally connected than it is right now, and that connection will only continue to expand, which means leaders must create diverse and inclusive environments that reflect the world we live in to remain effective and relevant. Diversity is not optional – it is a foundational requirement. Tonya is passionate about expanding knowledge, raising awareness, and creating inclusive environments. She believes that meaningful change begins with those who are courageous enough to explore their beliefs, values, and behaviors with a willingness to grow and positively impact the world. “Growth occurs when and where we are included, nourished, respected, and empowered.” CEO Today Executive Coaching Awards 2023 - USA - - 67 -
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