Meet the Team: Zelah – Leadership Coach, Team Coach & Facilitator

This month, we’re delighted to introduce Zelah, a leadership and team coach who brings a wealth of international experience, deep compassion, and a love of working with complexity to the Climate Change Coaches team.

Based in Brighton, UK, Zelah works with leaders and teams across the private, public and voluntary sectors to help them navigate challenge, change and uncertainty — and reconnect with their resilience, purpose and impact.

From Human Rights to Climate Leadership

After starting her career as a corporate lawyer, Zelah followed her passion for social justice to Cape Town, South Africa, in the mid-1990s, where she worked in human rights during a pivotal moment in the country’s history.

For the next two decades, she dedicated her career to human rights and international development, training NGOs, running legal aid programmes, and leading public sector change initiatives in Sri Lanka and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Much of her work involved supporting communities rebuilding after conflict — an experience that shaped her understanding of resilience, leadership, and the human capacity for change.

Now, she brings that same commitment to helping climate and sustainability leaders thrive in challenging and often uncertain environments.

Why She Loves Her Work

For Zelah, coaching is all about helping people find clarity and courage amidst complexity.

“I love working with challenge and complexity — it’s where real growth happens. Supporting sustainability leaders to reconnect with their resourcefulness and focus on what truly matters is deeply rewarding. And when my work brings climate change leaders together, that’s a bonus. There’s so much strength in a well-functioning network.”

The Power of 1:1 Coaching

Zelah describes one-to-one coaching as “a gift” — a rare chance to step back, reflect, and recharge.

“Coaching provides a safe space to untangle yourself from the busyness and pressure of work. I listen with compassion, invite you to see things with fresh eyes, and help you rediscover your resilience so you can do your work from a wiser, more grounded place.”

Zelah’s clients describe her coaching as “uplifting, transformative and empowering” and enjoy her ability to balance warmth with challenge — She coaches in person, online, and by phone — and especially loves working outdoors, where nature itself becomes part of the conversation.

“Nature always has wisdom to share,” she says. “And for the work we do, it’s the most important stakeholder of all.”

A Moment That Stuck

One of her favourite memories with Climate Change Coaches was a workshop she co-facilitated with Charly in Ireland:

“We were working with local authority climate leaders and used string and chairs to map their relational footprint. It was messy, fun, and powerful — a brilliant metaphor for the complexity of climate collaboration. What stood out was the moment they accepted the mess rather than fought it. That acceptance opened the door to creativity and focus.”

What Makes Climate Change Coaches Different

“We’re specialists in coaching climate and sustainability leaders. When you work with us, you’re supported by people who not only care deeply about the climate agenda but also understand behaviour change. Each of us brings a unique mix of skills and personality — so clients can find a coach who’s the perfect fit.”

Why Climate Change Matters to Zelah

“Thirty years ago, I made a conscious choice to work in human rights rather than environmental law,” says Zelah. “But now it’s impossible to separate what’s good for people from what’s good for the planet. Having worked in countries affected by conflict, I can see how climate change amplifies instability — and I know that connection will only grow stronger in the years to come.”

Joining the Climate Change Coaches

Zelah first connected with Climate Change Coaches through Zoe Greenwood, who introduced her to Charly Cox. What began as a career conversation with Zoe quickly turned into something deeper — a shared passion for coaching those on the frontlines of climate action.

“I joined the team because I could see how much this work is needed,” she explains. “I meet so many sustainability leaders who feel worn out, unsupported or marginalised in their organisations. Coaching gives them the space and support they need to keep going.”

Outside of Work

When she’s not coaching, playfulness is at the heart of Zelah’s life. You’ll find her outdoors — trail running, wild swimming, hiking or tending her allotment — or making things with her hands, from clothes and sculpture to home-cooked meals for friends and family. She also loves to sing and dance, finding joy and creativity in movement.

Zelah’s Autumn Reflection

“It’s autumn, and I’m thinking about seed saving on my allotment — keeping the best of today’s garden for tomorrow. There’s a beautiful metaphor there for sustainability leaders: take a minute to pause and ask, “what’s gone well this year, and what do you want to preserve for the future?”