How an Executive Coaching Certificate Made a Difference
In a world of constant change, even the most experienced professionals must adapt.
For Effie Heinz—a veteran organizational change consultant with more than 20 years of expertise—that moment came when her clients began asking for more than advice; they wanted coaching.
Heinz built her consulting practice, Heinz Professional Consulting, after an early career at Arthur Andersen, where she worked on improving technology and processes. But what stood out most to her were the people challenges, like how to support change and help organizations grow.
“Even early on, I saw that successful change was never just about the tools,” Heinz says. “It was about people.”
As client demand for personalized support grew, Heinz realized coaching would allow her to make a greater impact. She wanted a leadership coaching certificate program with a strong academic foundation and practical methodology—one that would help her integrate coaching with her existing consulting work.
That’s what led her to the Executive Learning and Organizational Change (ELOC) Coaching Certificate at Northwestern University.
Why Flexibility Mattered
The ELOC Coaching Certificate stood out for its blend of real-world application and flexible structure—perfect for working professionals. The program is part of Northwestern’s Learning and Organizational Change (LOC) portfolio, which combines systems thinking, design, organizational psychology, and leadership development.
For Heinz, the flexible coaching format was a critical factor. She needed a program she could integrate with client work.
“The coaching framework I learned gave me the credentials and confidence to show up in a new way,” she says.
Coaching Through Crisis
Just six months after completing her executive coaching certificate, Heinz was called into action. The pandemic had shifted everything—workplaces were moving remote, teams were disoriented, and leaders were under immense pressure. She began using her newly acquired coaching skills to help clients navigate hybrid work transitions.
This is what organizational change coaching looks like in practice: not just telling leaders what to do, but helping them think more clearly, make better decisions, and center people in times of stress.
A Career—and Toolkit—Transformed
Heinz's story illustrates a powerful trend. More and more professionals are turning to coaching certification programs not to change careers, but to expand their influence and effectiveness. Whether you're a consultant, HR leader, or learning professional, coaching skills are becoming essential to supporting change and growth.
Ready for Coaching?
The ELOC Coaching Certificates are designed for professionals who want to deepen their ability to lead, coach, and support individuals through complex change. It's part of a broader program that includes the MS in Learning and Organizational Change (MSLOC)—an interdisciplinary graduate program for purpose-driven leaders.
Learn more about the program: Explore the ELOC Coaching Certificate