I hold ICF's Master Certified Coach (MCC) credential, its Advanced Certification in Team Coaching (ACTC), and the EMCC EIA Master Practitioner accreditation. I'm also the first Arab elected to the ICF Global Board of Directors, and I currently serve as Chair of the ICF Professional Coaches Board, the body that governs ICF's global membership association for professional coaches. Here's what those credentials mean, and what the role actually involves.

What MCC and ACTC Actually Mean

The Master Certified Coach (MCC) is ICF's highest individual credential. It requires more than 2,500 hours of coaching experience and a demonstrated mastery of ICF's core coaching competencies, evaluated through recorded sessions and a performance exam. Very few coaches ever reach it.

The Advanced Certification in Team Coaching (ACTC) is a separate, specialized credential focused on coaching entire teams rather than individuals, a distinct skill set built around group dynamics, collective accountability, and organizational systems rather than one-on-one development.

I'm the first professional from Francophone Africa to hold both. I also hold the EMCC EIA Master Practitioner accreditation, the equivalent senior credential from coaching's other major global body, the European Mentoring and Coaching Council.

My Role as Chair of the ICF Professional Coaches Board

The ICF Professional Coaches (PC) Board of Directors is a small, elected body, capped at nine members, that governs ICF's membership association for trained, professional coach practitioners worldwide. As Chair, I work with board members from across the globe on the issues shaping coaching's next decade, including credentialing standards, coach education, AI in coaching, and the profession's growth into new markets.

It is a privilege to bring a global lens to conversations that shape the future of our profession, while working alongside colleagues who care deeply about impact, inclusion, innovation, and long-term vision.

You can see the position confirmed on my official ICF profile.

Before Coaching: 12 Years in the Corporate World

I spent 12 years in multinational corporations as a marketing and communication director before moving into coaching, experience I draw on directly with the executives and boards I now work with. As founder and CEO of CoachingLab Academy and Lwasl Group, I design and deliver ICF and EMCC accredited Level 1 and Level 2 coach training programs. CoachingLab Academy received an Innovation in Education award at the Education 2.0 Conference. I'm also a doctoral candidate researching education and artificial intelligence.

Who I Work With

I coach C-suite leaders and teams across the Middle East and North Africa, with client work spanning FMCG, banking, oil and gas, telecommunications, and media. I'm fluent in Arabic, French, and English, and I apply a systemic coaching approach that combines strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, and organizational awareness. My book, Creating Bridges, builds on this work through my original COEUR and SMARTEE frameworks for leading teams across cultures.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an ICF Master Certified Coach (MCC)?

MCC is the highest individual coaching credential awarded by the International Coaching Federation. It requires over 2,500 hours of coaching experience and demonstrated mastery of ICF's core competencies, verified through a recorded coaching session and performance evaluation.

What is ACTC certification?

The Advanced Certification in Team Coaching (ACTC) is ICF's credential for coaches who specialize in coaching teams rather than individuals. It evaluates skills specific to group dynamics and collective performance, separate from ICF's individual coaching credentials.

What does the ICF Professional Coaches Board of Directors do?

It is the elected governing body for ICF's global membership association of professional coaches, responsible for the organization's strategy, financial oversight, and the direction of the coaching profession worldwide.

Is Jihane Labib currently on the ICF Global Board?

Yes. I currently serve as Chair of the ICF Professional Coaches Board of Directors, a position confirmed on my official ICF profile.