How leadership coaching helped Gemma Cowan navigate chaos

When Gemma Cowan first began one-on-one coaching with Chantelle Courtney at Vision Coaching, she was navigating a tidal wave of change.

In just one year, Gemma had gone from managing five people to overseeing a national team of 18, with 11 distinct fundraising portfolios and responsibility for nearly half of Cystic Fibrosis Canada’s revenue. 

The shift followed an organizational restructure and came just as her direct supervisor resigned, leaving Gemma to report directly to the chief executive officer for nine months.

“It was the biggest team I'd ever led, and the highest revenue expectations I'd been responsible for,” she says.

Coaching, she says, became a steadying force during an intense year.

What began as a space to refine her leadership style quickly evolved into a vital support system through major change. With Chantelle’s guidance, Gemma navigated complex decisions, made changes to the team, and helped onboard a new leader.

“I had initially signed up for coaching to work on my own development,” she says. “But it quickly became about change management, and how I was showing up as a leader through all that.”

The coaching wasn’t about learning new tools, she adds: “It was about uncovering parts of myself I hadn’t fully recognized, reframing challenges, and refining what was already there.”

Working with Chantelle, Gemma began to shift from reactivity to intentional leadership.

“I used to feel like I had to solve every problem,” she says. “Now, I pause, I assess, and I pick my battles. Not everything needs to be fought for, and not everything needs to be solved by me.”

The impact was felt across the organization:

• Her team became more open, collaborative and confident in sharing challenges

• She started to build stronger relationships across departments by working more horizontally

• She reduced her own pressure to be perfect, and brought more clarity and balance to the role

  
  

“Fundraising is emotional work. I used to carry the full weight of it,” she says. “Now I understand that success is shared. I still want us to reach our goals, but I don’t hold it all on my shoulders anymore.”

Gemma was promoted to Senior National Director of Events and Community Fundraising and has embraced her new role with fresh perspective.

“I’ve learned that I don’t need to be A-plus at everything,” she says. “Sometimes a B-plus effort in the right place allows me to focus my energy where it truly matters.”

She credits Chantelle with helping unlock that shift. Over the course of the year, Chantelle became not only a coach but a trusted sounding board. 

She challenged assumptions, brought science and structure to uncertain moments, and helped Gemma see both the broader picture and the small shifts that lead to long-term growth. Her warmth, insight, and consistent presence made even the toughest moments feel manageable.

“Chantelle has been incredible. She creates space where I can be completely honest. She reflects things back, shares practical tools, and always ties it back to how I can grow.”

Gemma says the coaching journey has helped her become not only a stronger leader, but a more sustainable one.

“I’m still me. But I lead from a place of calm now. That’s changed everything.”

To learn more about one-to-one coaching and how it can support your leadership journey, visit visioncoachinginc.com or reach out to us at info@visioncoachinginc.com.