Vanessa Shaw, Founder and Director

Vanessa Shaw provides the inspiration and heart behind Simply Zest! It was her dream to create a company that would inspire positive change for others and help them explore and live their full potential. That dream was translated into action in 2005 when she founded Simply Zest! As the company grew, the clientele expanded to pan-European corporate and private clients from small and medium enterprises, the banking sector, law firms and international organizations.

Vanessa combines her entrepreneurial spirit with her finely attuned coaching skills to facilitate both personal growth and organizational performance. She holds an international accreditation as a Professionally Certified Coach (PCC) from the International Coach Federation (ICF). Vanessa specializes in High Performance Executive Coaching, Emotional Intelligence (EQ), Stress Management and Corporate Health & Well-Being. She is also a graduate of the Academy of Executive Coaching with a Diploma in Advanced Executive Coaching. She is also part of the faculty of the Advanced Executive Coaching programme in Switzerland.

Vanessa possesses a natural talent for creating a safe and non-judgmental environment for her clients to explore their goals, objectives and realize their full potential. Feedback from her clients consistently emphasizes her positive, empathic and supportive approach that enables her to easily build rapport and trust with people. By combining valuable insight gained through her extensive coaching experience, supportive feedback and integrity, she is able to assist her clients in developing pragmatic solutions to complex career and personal challenges. Her positive energy and enthusiasm have inspired and motivated numerous clients in their quest for excellence in all areas of their lives. Through a well-tested approach that’s empowering, grounded, pragmatic and sustainable, she has a passion for enabling her clients to make positive and sustainable changes in their lives.

Vanessa is also committed to raising standards within the global coaching profession and is currently on the Board of ICF Switzerland and is a serving on the ICF Global Committee for Membership and Community. She was Co-Programme Leader for the European Coaching Conference held in Geneva, Switzerland in 2008.

She has lived in Geneva since 1991 and with her extensive work experience in the United Nations environment; she is at ease working in a multi-cultural and multi-national environment. She coaches in both French and English.

Outside of running the business, Vanessa enjoys spending time with her husband Robert, their two children and family pets. She loves walking, yoga, skiing, singing, reading, theatre, entertaining and world travel.