Activating our insights evokes transformation.

An Advisor, Speaker and Coach, I have 30+ years cross-sectoral experience in banking, international development and non-profits.  I qualified as a lawyer well over half a lifetime ago and have an MBA, both have served me well. After a few years in banking, the UN came knocking and I answered. There started a fabulous decade in intellectual property law and development cooperation: drafting laws; training stakeholders; programme and project management and numerous speaking engagements across continents. It was valuable training ground and foundational for this impact-seeking practical idealist, whether founding a non-profit on maternal and neonatal health or building an advisory and coaching practice. The common thread that runs through all I do is that I am happiest in service and bring the depth and wealth of experience of a life fully lived to all my roles.

My happy place is dynamic, multi-disciplinary and multicultural, a place where human connection, mutual understanding and respect co-exist, and, where I am honouring my values. In this place, as a lover of stories, I believe in speaking and writing in full sentences. I love proper conversation and taking time to really listen. And soon I will share conversations with some of the wonderful people I have encountered on my life journey and what we have learnt from one another. I invite you to tick the news and updates box below to be a part of these fascinating experiences, some which appear too good to be true but I assure you, are vey much so. 

I live in Geneva, Switzerland and when I am not whipping up scrumptious meals for family and friends, can be found casing 2nd hand shops or brocantes as we call them here, mostly for books and porcelain. I speak English, French, Urhobo and pidgin English and dream of, no, am intent on adding Spanish to that list.

faith fookes

Roles

I am passionate about effective international cooperation and human development and have provided advisory services, facilitated projects and developed policies in the fields of knowledge transfer, organisational development, maternal and child health, diversity, equity and inclusion for major institutions including the European Central Bank (ECB), the World Health Organization (WHO) the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Credit Suisse, Yara International and universities in Nigeria and the UK.

 

Advisor.

 Persuasive and effective, I use my voice in various fora to advocate for causes I believe in and to build bridges towards more equitable access to opportunity. I particularly love working with young adults and professionals in schools, universities and the work place.  It’s always a treat to nudge and nurture them as they carve a path to their future through inspiring high impact and straight-to-the-heart talks.

Speaker.

I believe development starts with people and use the transformative power of coaching to support my clients in their personal and professional lives. Together we explore how to create meaning, fulfillment and balance while staying true to themselves.  From this place of authenticity; greater awareness on self-sabotage, clarity on values, courage, confidence and much more emerge leading to better wellbeing, relationships and performance.  Based on the belief that you are naturally creative, resourceful and whole, I will design a trusting relationship of equals in which you actively participate in awakening insights that evoke transformation in every aspect of your life.

Coach.

Connect with me on
LinkedIn

Coaching

A note from me to you.

Hello and welcome. 
I feel lucky to be here today. I feel lucky for the life I have had; for all the experiences- great, good, not so good and pretty damn bad, and, for the work I have done.  The LR Knost poem below tells us about the messiness of life- how one day it’s amazing, and then it’s not.  Now in my 6th decade, heaven knows I have had a fair dose of each of that but, you know, if you have gone through life without ups and downs, then count yourself lucky. 
I think though that we are all lucky in our own way because my life experiences have enriched me in such a way that I stand here today looking out at you, and at the world, tall and proud and happy and strong and able to support others on their life journey. And when I say support others, it’s not in the “let me sit and cry with you” way.  It’s rather in the “let me stand beside you, let me stand in front of you, let me look in your eyes and tell you that you have the ability to dig deep into your reservoir of wisdom and reach for what you need to enrich your life” way. My role is to facilitate the dialogues you are having with yourself and accompany you towards your dreams and goals. A fulfilled life, lived with balance, welcoming all the emotions that that brings. 
It is within reach...
“Life is amazing. And then it’s awful. And then it’s amazing again. And in between the amazing and awful it’s ordinary and mundane and routine. Breathe in the amazing, hold on through the awful, and relax and exhale during the ordinary. That’s just living heartbreaking, soul-healing, amazing, awful, ordinary life. And it’s breathtakingly beautiful.”
— L.R. Knost
I was having a conversation with somebody the other day who said “Oh’ it’s so nice to see you as a Coach”. You know, for a long time I was a Consultant-to corporates, institutions of higher learning, major European and international development organisations- both paid and unpaid. Coaching is a derivative of that because in my dealings with organisations of all sizes and types, I had the best encounters with people at a human level-not focusing on deliverables and KPI’s. They would come back to me again and again whenever they felt stuck in their personal and professional lives. Working together, they would gain insight which when ignited, led them to shine their light on the journey to their true essence and in turn, Shine.  
Witnessing this transformation is magical and having this natural and selfless gift of service means the world to me. I say that with modesty but also with authority because it is very much who I am. That is what brought me to coaching and I love it.  I can tell you so much more but invite you instead to book a sample session and we can explore what's possible together. 
I look forward to meeting you.

Testimonials

  • 'Faith has an uncanny ability to encourage, stimulate and provide clarity in a manner that allowed me to be creative in my approach to what was a challenging assignment. We had interesting conversations that put me at ease without a feeling that I was being tutored because she conveyed insights and knowledge in a very palatable and interesting manner. On reflection, I realize that her ability to do this was because of her unique “storytelling” approach. She weaves in anecdotes from her life experiences, drawing lessons and highlighting successful approaches to addressing demanding situations in such an effortless and natural manner, showing empathy, compassion and understanding. I especially appreciated her active listening. She notices things that are not being explicitly said, because she does not only focus on what is said, but how I react. Most importantly, she encouraged me to push forward when things became difficult or seemed unachievable. Whenever I reached an obstacle and shared that challenge, she was quick to let me know how far I had come and how well I understood the situation and challenges. I am most grateful for her support.'

    Funke Oyewole
    Facilitator, Conversations on Race (Development Finance Unit, The World Bank) Washington D.C., USA

  • 'I have witnessed first-hand countless examples of Faith’s innate ability to relate to others, to understand their deep motivation levers and strengths, and to support them in their personal and professional development. This ability comes from outstanding listening skills, a selflessness that leads her to find accomplishment in the success of others, coupled with extreme clarity of thought and the courage to provide honest and meaningful feedback.I have seen that happen, for instance, at the European Central Bank, where Faith managed to simultaneously understand the intricacies of the Bank’s culture within record time, deliver a DEI policy which all main stakeholders could relate to, and support the professional and personal growth of a number of colleagues, during and after her assignment, although this was not part of the formal brief, and she was not compensated for it...'

    Anne-Sylvie Catherin
    Chief Talent and Culture Officer, Swiss Re, Zurich, Switzerland

  • 'I have observed and benefitted from Faith’s insight and leadership having worked with her on projects with a significant impact on the African continent for over 25 years. I have seen her selfless vision and commitment to a more prosperous Africa in action-particularly in maternal, adolescent and neonatal health and sports projects which saved lives and improved the wellbeing of communities. Faith leads, advises, guides, supports and once the mission is accomplished, takes a back seat, letting others shine. She has a remarkable ability to connect with people, build bridges, and create networks that drive positive change; leveraging her impressive global network of individuals and corporates, facilitating impactful collaborations, always in service of others. Beyond her professional accomplishments, her energy, warmth and caring nature are simply inspiring. She listens with a level of attentiveness, a 6th sense almost, and with an understanding that makes everyone feel heard and valued. This rare and invaluable combination of qualities make her an exceptional coach and mentor. Her innate ability to encourage yet challenge individuals is unparalleled. She approaches each person and project with a deep sense of empathy, fostering environments where transformative decisions and steps towards a more fulfilled life are made achievable. I look forward to all that lies ahead as we continue to work together.'

    Alpha Barry
    Board Chair (Alpha Kapital, Standard Chartered Bank), Banjul, The Gambia

  • 'I have worked with Faith at key moments in my career and she has given me extraordinary new perspectives to the challenges I have faced. She is able to help you look inside and think through a problem to see the many pathways that could lie ahead, and has given me the space, language and power to make the right choice. She is the most active listener I know; her deep creativity and heartfelt guidance have been hugely useful to me at times of great upheaval and change in my personal and professional life. Working in the creative industries is often uncertain and uncomfortable – Faith has helped me navigate the tempests to become a better leader, colleague and artist.'

    JK

  • 'Faith has been a constant source of emotional and spiritual support throughout critical chapters in my life for which I am forever grateful. Her guidance, counseling and dedication to personal growth and the power of transformation have profoundly changed me for the better, inspiring me to embrace my own journey with courage, resilience and authenticity. Her innate ability to connect deeply makes her not only an exceptional coach but also a trusted confidante and mentor. I am convinced that anyone fortunate enough to experience her coaching will benefit immensely. Her wisdom, compassion and commitment to her clients' success make her a guiding light in a world often shrouded in uncertainty. I am honored to call her not only a friend but also a beacon of hope and shining example of the profound difference one person can make in the world. '

    Maria Jose Navarro
    Managing Director (Bay M Financial Advisory), Nassau, The Bahamas

  • 'Faith has been a true guiding light in helping me navigate this journey called life. In a world where our education system surprisingly doesn't teach us much about “adulting” and the challenges that come along this journey - both personal and professional - Faith has been my school of life. She has afforded me the best gifts that one could ever hope for - a safe space to feel heard, a helping hand to be lifted back up, and words of wisdom to not only feel valued, but also find a clear path to change and betterment. In my three years of working with Faith, she successfully coached me through my season of unemployment, preparing for interviews and negotiating salaries. Her coaching has built up my confidence and helped me set healthy boundaries, unlock my potential and boldly and successfully go after what I want in life. Faith will help you set clear goals with intention and imagine the best way forward for whatever you want to achieve. She will help you love yourself more and give yourself permission to be you, prioritise your needs and learn new ways of being a bright light in this world.I will leave you with these two words she always tells me - "Go shine!" I pray your sessions will, one day, lead you to write a beautiful testimonial that will light the candle to someone else’s coaching journey. '

    Sam Quashie-Idun
    Journalist, London, UK

  • 'I had the pleasure of meeting with Faith as she conducted qualitative research to reconstruct the DEI policy for the European Central Bank, an entity with a workforce of over 3000 employees. Encountering someone with her candor in the often impersonal sphere of professional life was exceptionally refreshing. Faith has a remarkable gift for making everyone feel comfortable in her presence, creating an environment of authentic dialogue. In this setting, each individual is encouraged to share their insights, experiences, and perceptions, which she then integrates into a unified policy. In a world where high-level talk and generic thoughts dominate the conversation, her dedication to honouring each person's unique story and her ability to forge genuine connections at a deeply human level are both distinctive and invaluable. Having collaborated with Faith for many years, I am fully confident that her qualities will continue to set her apart in all future endeavours.'

    Sergio Saéz Tomas
    Talent Acquisition Manager (Pepper.com) Berlin, Germany

  • 'No teacher has ever impacted me positively the way you have done in the past three years. It is a lot to say for someone who has held a professorial chair and has decades of learning and teaching experience. My journey with you started when you presented the opportunity of joining the Collaboration Board of CMS in CERN. I was assigned to lead the UNIBEN team to foster the advancement of research and innovation, a challenging task for me especially dealing with a huge institution like CERN. You taught me the rudiments of international collaboration and guided me through all the stages making our admission into the CMS collaboration possible in record time-one year–a journey which took some major institutions in the world four+ years to accomplish. When on my request, you kindly offered me some coaching sessions, you made me discover some hidden potential in myself. I am much more productive in my teaching and research activities and my students are eager to attend my lectures and enjoy my teaching better. Thank you for providing the springboard for these achievements.'

    MB

  • Faith is a source of inspiration with many special projects that she has initiated and followed through. She has invested great energy and resource in developing, expanding and mining a vision for a more prosperous Africa which I have witnessed during the Giving Women project circle as well as during her health interventions via her maternal health NGO Bridgewise. As an extraordinarily perceptive person and a true pragmatic, Faith works towards designing and implementing long lasting solutions engaging others. She is always available to provide guidance and support for a better life for everyone. What differentiates Faith is that she makes everyone feel special with all their capabilities. She has a special ability to see the strength in others and uses her experience and wisdom to support them to advance in their path. I met Faith at a time when I was looking for meaningful activities which can make a difference for others. With her resourcefulness she has been a true source of inspiration, energy and support in my journey. I have always appreciated having her come in to my life and I consider her a mentor and one of those whom I can rely on for guidance and support.

    Güldem Karamustafa-Köse
    Intercultural collaboration Expert, Assistant Professor, Haute-Ecole Arc, Neuchatel, Switzerland

  • My experience working with Faith as my coach has been incredibly rewarding both professionally and personally. Her ability to uplift the mind and spirit using very simple professional exercises and relatable stories helps me to maintain focus towards achieving my purpose, while upholding my values. Faith’s tailored approach to each session, based on my need, makes each session distinctive and impactful. I particularly appreciate her unique ability that enables you to mentally bridge the distance between your current position and where you aspire to be. If you’re seeking a coach who can inspire growth, align with your values, and deliver meaningful actionable insights, I highly recommend Faith.

    BC

  • 'To say that Faith is one in a million would be an understatement. Once you meet her, you’ll know what I mean. It is not only her profound wisdom and lateral-thinking intelligence, her deep compassion and generosity of spirit. She also possesses a rare and precious facility for holding you in a space that feels challenging and exciting but also safe. After each of our sessions, I felt empowered, instilled with new confidence and inspired to think bigger and braver. Faith dares you to value yourself, personally and professionally; to see hurdles and hindrances in a new light that enables you to overcome them, or indeed to realise they weren’t there in the first place! I would recommend Faith unreservedly to anyone looking for deeper meaning or greater fulfilment in their professional lives. You will come away feeling enriched and revived.'

    AY

POST-EVENT UPDATE

The Wisdom
in the Room

Geneva, Saturday, March 8, 2025

‘You created a safe space for learning, connecting, sharing, insight, knowledge, encounters and discovering the richness and healing impact of community. Thanks a lot.’

I knew the potential for impact and transformation our collective Wisdom in the Room could have but nothing prepared me for what we co-created. The warmth; the letting go; the trust; the embracing of our vulnerability; the deepening of our understanding of self and other; the inclusiveness; the making of new connections; the commitment to a shared intention; the building of community and the amazing wealth of our diversity.  It is beautiful when we work from this intentional place, you touch lives and see transformation right before your eyes.  I feel only gratitude. Read my reflections on the event and what lies ahead here

- Faith Fookes

Coaches Wiebke, Faith & Elaine

What Participants Are Saying :

‘I loved the quality of the content, the venue, the branding, the food and hospitality. I am not sure exactly how I would describe the event to others? But that’s not important at all. I cried, I laughed, I connected, I learnt, I spoke/shared and listened. It was a beautiful event and I look forward to more of this happening.’

A warm welcome

‘Thank you for organizing this.  It was insightful.  I have learnt about myself that vulnerability with the right people is not a bad thing, rather recommended.  We are all human regardless of our differences.  I know it takes a lot of time to organise this but I really hope you organise another event.’

Getting curious

‘I loved the event. Really insightful. Faith, you are a beautiful light.’

Getting curious

‘Thank you for letting us express ourselves as we wished, for not housing judgement, for creating a safe space. This event has allowed our eyes and hearts to be opened and we acknowledge where we need to go, not for others but for ourselves.  Thank you.’

Connecting

‘The “wisdom room” came at the right time of my life where questions and questioning have come into play, where my place in the world is being re-examined, and where my own “importance” is tempered by feelings of gratitude and humility.  For all of these reasons, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
P.S. Lunch was fabulous’

‘It was great. Such a safe space to share and learn from others, discover ourselves and bridge the gaps or missing links. Well organized, a display of excellence and mastery.’

Connecting

‘Enlightening, inspirational, provocative, exposed us to our humanity and emotions, excellent planning and implementation, a day of mixed emotions, well spent, left me with much to think about, good activities, meaningful activities.’

Multi-generational

‘Faith, what a wonderful day!  I wondered what does wisdom in the room mean, now I feel I could begin to know- the richness, the depths, the vulnerabilities everyone came with today has been immense.  Thank you, thank you!’

‘Loved it.  Courageous, outreach, professional, safe, thought-provoking, extra-ordinary food, thank you for your leadership.’

Wiebke in full facilitation-mode

‘I loved the warm and “safe space” ambience that you weaved into the event.  It allowed for sharing without feeling judge.’

‘It was wonderful to see and experience the interaction of the group and their transformation.  I am very happy to have taken part. I have realised I need to be more curious again and to never stop experiencing and learning.  Thank you.’

Connecting

‘I did not know what to expect and what this was about. It was an interesting experience for me and one I realised I was not quite ready for but it gave me the necessary push.  Who knows where it will take me.  Well organised.  Thank you.’

Fabulous lunch

‘Thought-provoking, insightful and inspiring.  It was a beautiful space to share and hear everyone’s stories.  A timely reminder of our shared connection and humanity.  Thanks for facilitating this wonderful event!’

Inspire. Ignite. Shine.