My Team Coaching Journey with Richa Malhotra

We believe the best way to learn about the ACT/Brown Team Coaching program is to hear directly from one of our accomplished alumna. Read Richa's story, what led her to Team Coaching and why she chose the ACT/ Brown program. You can also listen to Richa telling her story in the recent webinar by clicking here

Please tell us a little about your coaching journey prior to starting the Team Coaching program?

I am a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF), with an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin and almost two decades of experience in innovation and marketing with multinational corporations.

In addition to my coaching certification, I hold a Team Coaching Certification from ACT, Brown, and am currently working towards my Advanced Certification in Team Coaching (ACTC) through ICF. I have had the privilege of coaching leaders from a wide range of industries, including clients from companies such as Microsoft, Verizon, PayPal, Roku, L’Oréal, Merck, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Prior to coaching, I spent over two decades in technology and financial services, beginning in product marketing at Dell and later leading global marketing initiatives at Citibank. Throughout my career, I worked with large, cross-functional teams, drove complex strategic initiatives, and partnered with senior leadership to deliver impactful results under tight deadlines, all while navigating shifting priorities. These experiences deepened my understanding of team dynamics, organizational change, decision making, and the critical role of thoughtful leadership in driving both team and organizational success— insights I now bring into my coaching practice.

Why did you decide to embark on the Team Coaching program?

As I coached leaders, I recognized my desire to expand my impact beyond individuals and help teams become more aligned, efficient, and high performing.

In 2019, after nearly two decades in corporate America, I decided to step away from my job and take a pause -unknowingly coinciding with the start of the pandemic. What I thought would be a brief break turned into a time of reflection and expanding my skill set. During this period, I was a consultant with Via Renaissance (formerly known as The Medici Group) as a coach, which sparked my interest in coaching. To build on this, I enrolled in Executive Coaching Certification Program at the NYU School of Professional Studies – I felt a strong connection to coaching both academically and in practice. After completing the two-year program and gaining extensive experience in coaching leaders one on one, I realized that working with teams would be the next logical step to amplify my impact. This led me to pursue Team Coaching, deepening my skills to better support teams and organizations—a path that is proving to be both fulfilling and enriching.

Why did you choose the ACT & Brown Team Coaching program?

As I researched various programs, ACT, Brown stood out for its reputation of excellence and its high caliber faculty, who bring extensive real-world experience, and a deep understanding of the challenges leaders and teams face in today's evolving environment. Another key factor for me was the program’s hybrid format, offering in-person learning at Brown University followed by virtual sessions. Having spent my entire career working face to-face with people, I chose to pursue live, in-person training in Team Coaching – and I am grateful I made that choice.

What was your overall experience of the Team Coaching program and what has been the most rewarding part of Team Coaching so far?

The ACT, Brown Team Coaching program has been an incredibly rewarding experience. The faculty—Erin, Ashley, Mike and Tina—brought deep expertise and passion to my learning. The hybrid format, with in-person sessions at Brown University, set a strong foundation for the program. Our tight-knit cohort of 14 highly experienced professionals fostered trust-building, idea exchange, and meaningful connections. Each classmate brought unique perspectives from their fields, sparking engaging discussions that often continued over lively lunches at Xaco Taco in Providence!

Since completing the program, many of us have remained connected through frequent meetings, one-on one interactions, and collaborations on coaching engagements. These ongoing connections have been invaluable for both my professional and personal growth, and I’m grateful for such a talented network.

One of the most fulfilling aspects of Team Coaching is witnessing teams transform over the course of 4-6 sessions, evolving from a group of individuals reporting to the same manager into highly cohesive, collaborative, and high-functioning units, with a stronger sense of ownership and a proactive, solution oriented mindset.

Tell us about the work you do now and how you are applying your Team Coaching skills?

Through my coaching practice, The Ideas Team Inc., I work with a diverse range of leaders from Fortune 500 companies as well as startups—ranging from C-suite executives to emerging people managers— across industries such as technology, finance, healthcare, education, and the performing arts. My clients have included leaders from Google, Dell, Adobe, Boston Beer, Airbnb, and more.

I am also expanding into Team coaching, with recent engagements at TBWA (an advertising agency under the Omnicom Group) and National Institute of Health (NIH). My corporate background enables me to connect with leaders in their context, helping them unlock their full potential and drive meaningful results.

The Team Coaching skills I gained through the ACT, Brown program have opened new possibilities in my work, allowing me to refine my approach and continue empowering teams to become more impactful and high performing.

About ACT

A Leadership and Performance Coaching company focused on developing exceptional leaders, helping leaders become Aware of their impact so they can make better Choices leading to Transformative results.

Our commitment to transformative learning, innovation and diverse thinking, and making an impact in the world is at the core of what we do. We are a family-owned, service-driven company who partners with the Brown University School of Professional Studies, organizations and government agencies to deliver our life changing programs.

ACT, in partnership with Brown University School of Professional Studies, an international leader in executive education, is excited to offer ACT’s ICF accredited Leadership and Performance Coaching Certification Program. ACT shares Brown University’s mission to develop reflective leaders, to effect change in the world, and to improve human welfare. https://actleader.com/

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