FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada — November 7, 2026 — ExecQutive – The Executive Coaches Association has launched its Executive Coaching Professional Standards, establishing a global standard for professional recognition and registration while opening new pathways into the executive coaching profession. The initiative brings a shared international approach to recognizing the diverse expertise of executive coaches.
The announcement comes as executive coaching plays an increasingly significant role in business. A 2025 Stanford Graduate School of Business study found that 58% of CEOs surveyed use a professional coach, compared with approximately one-third a decade earlier. As leaders seek experienced guidance to navigate organizational change, strategy and leadership challenges, the expertise of those who support them matters more than ever.
ExecQutive's new four qualifying pathways recognize professionals entering executive coaching from different career backgrounds, including senior leaders, human resources professionals, credentialed coaches and other established professionals such as lawyers, accountants, engineers, physicians and university professors.
The initiative is built on the principle that leadership experience, professional expertise and coaching skills are all valuable foundations for executive coaching. Through one set of global standards, qualified executive coaches have an equal basis for registration and professional recognition, while retaining the distinct experience and perspectives they bring to their work.
"Leadership is evolving, and the support available to leaders and organizations needs to evolve with it. We see an opportunity to fill an important gap in the profession by bringing together a broader range of executive coaching expertise, methodologies and professional experience. By opening new pathways into executive coaching and establishing global standards, we can give leaders and organizations access to a wider range of coaching approaches and specialized expertise. Our vision is to make executive coaching easier to access, more diverse and future-ready." — Michelle Nasser, Founder and CEO of ExecQutive
Michelle Nasser is a bestselling author and recognized expert in executive coaching. Her career spans entrepreneurship, corporate transformation and executive leadership across Canada, the United States and MENA. ExecQutive is supported by a board comprising Walid Koubaa, Dr. Ergham Bachir, Carla Reale, Farhan Zaveri and Kunal Phalpher. Collectively their perspectives reflect the organization's global outlook to advancing the profession across industries, cultures and regions.
Beyond registration, ExecQutive provides members with an Executive Coach Professional Profile and opportunities to build their professional presence, work with other executive coaches on projects, and participate in committees that advance the profession as a global community.
By bringing together experienced professionals from different disciplines and countries under shared standards, ExecQutive is contributing to the development of executive coaching.
ExecQutive – The Executive Coaches Association is a global professional association advancing executive coaching through professional standards, global registration and career-building opportunities. It is also a leadership resource through ExecQutive Magazine, The Leadership Seat Podcast and Partners in Leadership.
Media Contact
Michelle Nasser
Founder & CEO
ExecQutive – The Executive Coaches Association
Website: https://execqutive.com/
