"Aya" - Adrinkra symbol of Endurance, Perseverance

African American women who lead in organizations and communities, bring unique perspectives as well as unique challenges to their work.  They are expected to do more, overcome more, give more often while experiencing racism, sexism, and other "isms."  Leading in the face of all of these challenges can impact overall health, wellness and the ability to lead effectively.   My program development and coaching approach takes these factors in account and thoughtfully designs programs that supports an ethnically relevant leadership development model.  A model that centers key strengths, challenges and needs of African American leaders.

My leadership retreat programs are designed to give leaders who are often so busy that they do not attend to their own needs including physical, emotional and spiritual, with a special place and time to reset, connect, get support and share perspectives and resources.   All retreats are held with no more than 8 leaders in order to maintain safe, intimate learning environments.   Group coaching is offered as a component of each retreat.

Culture matters! I take into account the cultural and ethnic values of the women I serve throughout all of my work.  My programs effectively enable women at every level of an organization or in communities to substantially increase capacity to:

v  Strengthen personal voice 

v  Build critical networks

v  Re-examine personal, organizational and cultural expectations to achieve higher levels of wellness and leadership effectiveness

My approach in coaching African American and other women of color is to make space for sharing  from ethnic/cultural perspectives.  I work in partnership with each client to help them take stock and construct new meaning, behaviors and outcomes in self-identified coaching areas.  

Through a process of self-reflection and realistic goal-setting, clients increase range of choices, broaden and clarify perspectives, reinforce self-concept, and take meaningful action.  My goal is to create environments that support the inclusion of whole identities, cultural expression and perspectives that help foster transformational learning and change in the lives of my clients.  

A new vision of development is emerging. Development is becoming a people-centered process, whose ultimate goal must be the improvement of the human condition.    

    - Butros Butros-Galli

Within organizations, my goal is to co-create individual, group and organizational change that is people-centered and creates "deep" learning;  a learning that goes beyond simple knowledge and skill acquisition but creates sustained personal and organizational change.

My understanding of organizational systems enables me to co-design environments that are equitable and meets the development needs of people as well as the organization.  

For over 25 years,  Charlyn's expertise has been in human and organizational development in both non-profit and for-profit organizations.  Her primary focus is supporting the personal and professional development of African American women leaders in organizations as well as in communities.  Dr. Green Fareed founded a non-profit dedicated to serving the whole-life development of African American women and conducts action research on culturally-based health and wellness issues related to Black women.

Charlyn approaches her life, as well as her work from a perspective of equity and inclusion.  This approach challenges individuals and organizations to build diverse and inclusive work environments that expands personal, interpersonal, and organizational effectiveness.  She is a lifelong learner who strives to remain open to better understanding self and others.

Dr. Green Fareed holds a doctorate in Human & Organizational Systems from Fielding Graduate University. She completed coaching certifications from the Evidence Based Coaching Program of Fielding Graduate University, the Center for Credentialing & Education, and Trauma Informed Coach from Moving the Human Spirit.

She holds certifications in Diversity Facilitation from NTL Institute and Race Relations Facilitation from Stir Fry Consulting.  At Fielding Graduate University, she completed a certificate in Transformative Learning for Social Justice and a certificate in Dialogue, Deliberation, and Public Engagement.  Charlyn is a  native of Philadelphia and lives in the Atlanta, GA area.

Dr. Green Fareed is a gifted designer and facilitator of diversity retreats.  She has a knack for designing retreats that are sensitive to the needs of each group.  Her designs meet the participants where they are and lead them gently but  firmly to increased awareness and skills.  Her facilitation is both direct and compassionate.  I highly recommend her work.

  - Anne Litwin, PhD
Author, New Rules for Women: Revolutionizing the Way Women Work Together

If you are searching for a coach who blends skill and cultural sensitivity with a unique style that is all her own, then Dr. Green Fareed is the right coach for you. Her coaching sets an easy and comfortable tone that makes vulnerability and the high emotions that go along with it less intimidating, even for the most guarded of individuals. As a trainer for our STEM Leadership Institute mentors, Dr. Green Fareed has helped us make a turnaround in our approach to mentoring STEM faculty from all backgrounds. She is a natural!

 - Dr. Kelly Mack 

Executive Director, Project Kaleidoscope; and

Vice President for Undergraduate STEM Education

Association of American Colleges and University