Bio

As Coach, Strategist and Counselor to experienced and emerging leaders, the philanthropic community, business and non-profit organizations, Amina Dickerson's passion is to connect people to their power, potential and possibilities. Using a co-active approach and thoughtful, challenging inquiry methods, Dickerson strives to help clients define their leadership values and style in ways that bring clarity, commitment and courage to their work and lives. Her coaching strengths include executive leadership, coaching for advancement, succession and transition preparation, career planning and women in leadership.  Her coaching practice is complemented by her consulting practice, which focuses on leadership advancement, succession planning, philanthropic initiatives and strategic partnerships. 

Amina incorporates a wealth of diverse professional experience in her consulting practice.  Over a 35 year career in the non-profit, corporate and philanthropy sectors she gained leadership expertise through executive posts and assignments supporting senior leaders and business professionals.  Amina has worked for or in partnership with civic and community organizations and has extensive experience in the cultural sector, with youth and arts education efforts in the U.S. and abroad. Previously she headed multi-national philanthropic programs at Kraft Foods and held executive posts with the National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Chicago Historical Society and DuSable Museum of African American History. As a corporate funder, she oversaw a broad portfolio that included hunger relief, human rights, the arts, health and wellness and domestic violence.

Amina's utilizes the co-active style  through her ACTP course  of study of the coaching practice through the Coaches Training Institute and the CTI Co-Active Leadership Program. She also holds a coaching certificate from the Center for Creative Leadership, and certification for the Leadership Circle 360 Assessment Profile, and scenario planning from the Global Business Network (GBN).  Amina is a member of the International Coaching Federation and is routinely sought after for career, peer and organizational counsel and as a public speaker, facilitator and panelist. 

Amina studied theater at Emerson College, holds a certificate in arts management from Harvard University, and a M.A. in arts management from the American University in Washington, D.C., where she was named to the Alumni Hall of Fame.   Her work has been recognized with numerous awards, including the prestigious James Joseph Lecturer from the Association of Black Foundation Executives, Chicago Women in Philanthropy, Chicago African Americans in Philanthropy and the Association of Fundraising Professionals She was added to the HistoryMakers national African American video archives in 2009.  Her board service includes The Woods Fund of Chicago, the Women's Funding Network, Harris Theatre for Music and Dance, the Legacy Fund of the Chicago Community Trust and the Leadership Advisory Council of the Art Institute of Chicago.