MasterClass with Amy Ruppert Donovan, MCC
In The Bigger Yes, coaches are invited into a deeper, more transformative relationship with their work — one that begins not with mastery, but with surrender. Through personal story, reflection, and powerful metaphors, this talk explores the moment when we stop centering ourselves — our need to be right, to be impressive, to be perfect — and start showing up for something greater.
The Bigger Yes
We’ll contrast the “small yes” — to identity, image, and control — with the “bigger yes”: the wild, courageous calling to step into mystery, discomfort, and real transformation. This is the yes that turns a coach from a performer into a presence.
Ultimately, The Bigger Yes is a call to disappear in service of something larger. Because when we get out of the way, we create the conditions for real change — in ourselves, our clients, and the world. As Joseph Campbell said, “The big question is whether you are going to be able to say a hearty yes to your adventure — the whole catastrophe.”
This talk is for coaches ready to say yes — not just to the role, but to the sacred, messy work it truly is.
Earn 1.5 Core Competency CCEU
'The Bigger Yes' invites coaches to move beyond ego, control, and performance — and instead embrace a mindset of openness, humility, and surrender. This directly aligns with the ICF Core Competency 'Embodies a Coaching Mindset', which calls for coaches to remain curious, flexible, self-aware, and client-centered.
The presentation emphasizes:
- Letting go of the need to fix or impress (Self-regulation, #6)
- Being open to not knowing and embracing discomfort (Openness and flexibility, #1, #4)
- Deep self-reflection and emotional preparation (#3, #7)
- Trusting intuition in service of the client (#5)
- Continuous development through personal and professional surrender (#2)
Ultimately, 'The Bigger Yes' is a call to live the coaching mindset — not just practice it — by saying yes to the full, unpredictable human experience, both ours and our clients'.
About the Speaker: Amy Ruppert Donovan, MCC
Amy Ruppert Donovan, MCC, is a pioneer in the field of professional coaching with 30 years of experience coaching leaders and shaping the coaching industry. As co-founder of both The Integreship Group and PRIME Coaching Academy, an ICF-accredited training organization, Amy blends deep business insight with masterful coaching to develop leaders across sectors including healthcare, finance, tech, academia, and government.
A Master Certified Coach with the ICF, Amy has coached leaders at every level — from emerging talent to the C-suite — and has educated thousands of coaches worldwide through program design, event production, and facilitation. She played a pivotal role in developing the ICF Core Competencies in 1995 and served as an ICF certification assessor for over 15 years.
Amy's contributions to the coaching industry are notable. Over the past 30 years, she has facilitated hundreds of groups in developing coaching skills for ICF certification, developed several flagship programs for prominent coach training organizations before co-founding PRIME Coaching Academy, and chaired five global coaching conferences.
Known for her bold clarity, warmth, and humor, Amy brings unmatched depth and authenticity to her work with leaders and coaches around the world and is a passionate advocate for professional coaching.