Vanessa Carstens

Executive, Leadership and Career Coach; Registered Psychologist

Johannesburg and Pretoria, Gauteng

M Comm Industrial Psychology (cum laude), M Phil Futures Studies (cum laude)

071 371 9564

vanessa@futures-matter.com

futures-matter.com/

vanessacarstens

Johannesburg, South Africa
Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa

Vanessa is a member of the International Coach Federation (ICF) and founder of Futures Matter, a boutique consultancy. As futurist, she advises business leaders on aspects of people management to prepare for the future world of work. Vanessa has been coaching leaders and executives since 2010. Her work focuses on executive, leadership, team and career coaching.

AREAS OF SPECIAL INTEREST

Professional Executive Coaching
Leadership and Team Coaching
Career Coaching
Strategic Foresight
Futures Thinking
Management Consulting
Organisational Change
Talent Management
Leadership Development
Emerging and Early Career Talent
Psychometric Assessments

COACHING WORK

Vanessa has been coaching since 2010, specialising in executive, leadership, and career coaching for corporate and private clients. Her approach is rooted in Integral Coaching principles, adopting a holistic view that integrates the mind, emotions, language, body, and spirit. She focuses on building strong rapport, fostering a safe and trusting environment, and inspiring personal and professional transformation. Vanessa sees coaching as a partnership that promotes self-discovery and unlocks new possibilities for growth. She believes her clients are complex beings immersed in profoundly changing situations. Coaching them is seen as an integral part of her own development journey.

As a psychologist with experience in multinationals, Vanessa has developed a deep understanding of the challenges faced by senior leaders. Her strength lies in blending structure with creativity, showing compassion for her coaching clients while drawing on her intuitive grasp of human complexities. Her curiosity and insight enable her to uncover patterns that lead to profound coaching breakthroughs.

Where needed, she incorporates psychometric assessments to provide alternative perspectives to deepen self-awareness. Vanessa offers coaching in both English and Afrikaans, delivering sessions in-person or virtually.

Join her for a discovery session where you’ll delve into your coaching goals, challenges, and how coaching can help you achieve your desired outcomes. This initial 30 minute consultation is complimentary and offers a chance for you to connect and assess your compatibility without any obligations.

If you are ready to make some positive changes in your life and career, go ahead and book your free online discovery session here: https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/CoachingSessions@futures-matter.com/bookings/

PREVIOUS BACKGROUND

With 30 years of experience in People Management, Labour Relations, Learning and Development, and Organisational Change, Vanessa has held senior roles in multinational corporations and consulted for leading organisations across Southern Africa, including public sector entities like South African Airways, CSIR, and SASSA. Her expertise spans diverse industries, including agriculture, aviation, engineering, cosmetics, biotechnology, banking, FMCG, IT, media, mining, telecommunications, and education. A self-described coffee snob, foodie, and avid traveler. Vanessa has visited over twenty countries.

Mobilizing others to shape meaningful futures, is her personal purpose in life.

COACH TRAINING & ACCREDITATIONS

Certified Integral Coach® , New Ventures West / UCT Centre for Coaching – 18 month programme
Neurozone® Advanced Coach
Certified iEQ9 Enneagram Practitioner
MBTI Accredited Practitioner
Accredited for various psychological assessments

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS

Registered Industrial and Organisational Psychologist with HPCSA (Health Professions Council of South Africa)
Member of the SIOPSA (Society for Industrial and Organisational Psychologists)
Member of ICF (International Coaching Federation) – more than 900 hours of coaching
Member of COMENSA (Coaches and Mentors of South Africa)

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

M Comm Industrial Psychology (cum laude) – University of Johannesburg
M Phil Futures Studies (cum laude) – University of Stellenbosch Business School

INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE