"When I met Cheryl Lester I was a long-term employee that had worked their way through the company ranks to the top. I had made it!

(but) ...I wanted to uncover the “deep dark secret” to feeling that sense of fulfillment and accomplishment. Could I even take it to the next level? Little did I know. Through our discovery sessions, Cheryl facilitated my understanding of “internal awareness, outer effectiveness”. There was something deep inside and I was finally able to take steps, then leaps and bounds, in the direction that was right for ME. I am clearer and passionate about my future. I am the new leader in my life, strong, intelligent and capable. Cheryl Lester is a dynamic, intuitive, compassionate professional. I have so much respect for Cheryl and her work. You may need to have some courage, but what you reap may be unlimited ! Hats off."

Lorie P.

"(Cheryl's) outstanding ability to relate to senior executives and contribute strategic insight..."

"As a former Board Chair for World Vision Canada, I deeply appreciated the professionalism, intelligence, and intuitive interpersonal skills that Cheryl Lester consistently exhibited. Her outstanding ability to relate to senior executives and contribute strategic insight provides great value to any senior leader or executive."

 Denis St-Amour | International Board Chair - World Vision International/ President - Group Cyberna

"Thank you for the pleasantness and humility..."

Let me say how much I appreciated your facilitation of the Governance Team and particularly feedback and discussion on the Disc Profiles. You really were excellent in showing how we can maximize our very different styles for the benefit of the team. You showed us the importance of listening to what different styles contribute to the wholeness of the team and the opportunity cost of not doing so. I think you were especially effective in this facilitation given your executive coaching expertise and it was very obvious that you are very skilled and passionate about it.

Thank you for the pleasantness and humility with which you engage with the teams you work with as this makes your sessions so enjoyable! Warm regards,

Joshua Wathanga | Regional Governance Advisor | World Vision Africa

"Her ability to challenge and encourage me to step fully into the heart of the matter was crucial..."

Coaching with Cheryl has made me take the boldest steps of my life. Her ability to challenge and encourage me to step fully into the heart of the matter was crucial for me in fulfilling my leadership role and explore future options for personal and professional growth. She creates a completely safe environment and in her serene but determined way she calls forth all the courage you have inside to pursue what you know to be right.

Nadia Peeters |Papaya Coaching - Personal and Executive Coach | (formerly WV Spain Country Director)

"Cheryl has a wonderful style of executive coaching."

“...She took her cues from the style of coaching that I needed and gently but directly forced me to take a deeper look at my style, my feelings and my resistances. As a result of our sessions I became clearer on my strengths and needs and my focus became clearer. She is particularly skilled at summarizing our sessions and following up our sessions with written feedback for clarity and accountability. I would highly recommend Cheryl to any leader open to becoming more aware of their leadership style and desiring growth.”

Lori Wall | Executive Director | Fresh Start Maternity Supports

"respect ... (and) the way you "heard" what was said..."

“I will always remember your respect (not only toward me, but toward all those you dealt with), the way you had of listening to the problem and dealing with it in a very decisive manner, the way you "heard" what was said, the feedback you offered...the laughter...the FUN .... Working with you…[gave] me some of my fondest memories ….”

Brenda O.

"Exceptional ability to work equally well with both people and information. ... helped me increase my effectiveness as a leader."

Cheryl has the rare and exceptional ability to work equally well with both people and information. As one of my valued advisors, Cheryl could always be trusted to give me honest feedback and wise counsel, both of which helped me increase my effectiveness as a leader."

Dave Toycen | President/CEO World Vision Canada

"..practical examples, ...respectful approach, and yet holding us (Advisory Council /Board) accountable..."

On behalf of the Advisory Council Members that:

• Your coaching style of using practical examples has been of great help in knowing what works best under what circumstances and when.

• Your respectful approach (and yet holding us accountable to agreed plans and targets) has enabled a positive sense of significance amongst AC members but also fostered a good sense of responsibility and accountability.

• Your experience in working with a number of NDs around the WV Partnership enriched our learning with you.

Martin Silutongwe | National Director | WV Lesotho, Africa

"Cheryl took time to listen and understand the complexities and limitations of working in contexts that are different from the West."

Cheryl Lester has provided virtual coaching for me as my role of World Vision National Director in Armenia. Countries such as Armenia have very different experiences and backgrounds of board development from western countries. Cheryl took time to listen and understand the complexities and limitations of working in contexts that are different from the West. Her ability to push forward with clients and hold me accountable was also very much appreciated.

Mark Kelly | ND (former) | WV Armenia

"Cheryl...(challenged us)... in a way that did not turn us off – just the opposite – the challenges inspired us and the brought results."

Cheryl coached my business partner and I for more than two months on weekly basis. As a result, our business relationship became crystal clear by establishing our core values and aligning them with our company's vision. Upon conclusion of the coaching process we were 100% on the right track, sure of our values, and we knew each other and ourselves much better. In the period that I got to know Cheryl professionally I can say many great things about her but the ones that come first to mind are:

• Professionalism – during each meeting she was always clear and prompt.

• Detailed follow up – I was amazed by the detailed summaries she provided after each meeting. I have never met anyone in my life that has been able to do that.

• Integrity – Cheryl went beyond standing up to every expectation that we had at the beginning of the relationship (and we always have high expectations).

• Rich background – without her rich experience in the business world she would not have been able to lead us as well as she did in finding out our own path.

• Eloquence – among other things, understanding test results and the coaching methodology, is crucial and Cheryl did a superb job explaining everything in a language that we clearly understood. I have had previous experience with coaches, but she was truly the first one who made sure that we clearly understand the meaning behind all the test results in relation to us.

• Real – Cheryl fit very naturally within our environment – she never felt like an intruder and she never tried to sell us unneeded services. The entire flow felt very natural and productive.

• Constructive – When you work with Cheryl you should expect that she will challenge you. She has a natural talent to do that in a way that did not turn us off – just the opposite – the challenges inspired us and the brought results.

I will not think twice about hiring Cheryl any time we need to get back on the right track. I recommend her without a scintilla of reservation to anyone who needs results!

George Alexandrov | BrowseWorks | Chicago, IL

"Cheryl...helped me to identify strengths and gaps in my management style and inter-personal relationship skills."

I have been a participant in the WVI Coaching for Governance Program since May 2009. I have found the program and my coach, Cheryl Lester to be of great assistance to me in my role as National Director. Cheryl has helped me to define and articulate my goals for governance in our office, has assisted me in setting my own personal and professional goals, helped me to identify strengths and gaps in my management style and inter-personal relationship skills. For example, Cheryl has helped me to identify gaps and to address issues in my communications, to be increasingly direct while remaining caring and sensitive to the needs of others.

Cheryl's coaching style has been particularly helpful to me in that she draws me out through a didactic process that allows me to identify solutions to issues that I am facing on a regular basis, both in my management of the office but also in terms of my relationship to the Advisory Council. Cheryl relates well to busy executives, and has helped me to set reasonable and achievable goals that not only help me in terms of personal/professional development, but are also related to particular tasks needing attention. Thus, the process is not "just one more thing to do" but rather is practical and facilitates the achievement to existing goals, objectives and processes. Additionally, as a coach, Cheryl has regularly suggested resources such as books, articles and Internet sites.

I heartily endorse the Coaching for Governance Program and Cheryl as a professional coach. In only 3 months of sessions, I have seen concrete results leading to better relationship building and more efficient use of time.

Perry Mansfield | National Director | World Vision Lebanon

"...an asset to any organization seeking to increase their effectiveness."

Cheryl Lester has always displayed a high degree of integrity, sensitivity, intuitiveness. She is an effective facilitator, using her skills to help groups understand team dynamics and communicate more effectively. Cheryl’s good judgment and mature outlook ensure a logical and practical approach to help a team identify its areas of strength and challenge, and guides the team in the development of a plan to achieve its goals. Cheryl would be an asset to any organization seeking to increase their effectiveness.

Linda Buck | Peer Review Coordinator | World Vision International

" I appreciated ... the way you made the DiSC profiles come to life...and (helped us) start putting them into practice!"

The thing I appreciated most was the way you (Cheryl) made the DiSC profiles come to life. The experience of stepping into another person's world and listening to them was very memorable, and so much more helpful than simply reading words on a page. Thanks for helping us take our test results and start putting them into practice!

Michael Stalcup | Governance Assistant | World Vision International

"...ability to go in depth, but in a very relaxing manner."

I have seen quite some coaches, but you really stand out to me. You have the ability to go in depth, but in a very relaxing manner. That's an amazing strength you have.

Anonymous | Non-profit Executive Leader | Netherlands