Online-Coaching for Professional Development of University Personnel
My name is Denise Ackroyd. I am an ILM Level 5 Coach with a background in Educational Science. I provide bespoke online-coaching to enhance the professional growth of academic and non-academic staff at various universities and colleges.
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I live close to Vienna (AUT) with my husband and our two children. I love to spend time with my family in nature. My hobbies are reading, swimming and hiking.
My Commitment
I specialize in one-on-one online-coaching tailored for academic and non-academic university personnel focused on continuous education.
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My work is based on my belief that continuous learning leads to lasting happiness.
I partner with institutions in German and English-speaking countries.
Please get in touch to find out more.
Education
April 2024 - April 2025
ILM Level 5 Coaching and Mentoring Certificate @ British School of Coaching
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October 2017 - June 2022
Master of Arts in Educational Sciences @ University of Vienna
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October 2014 - June 2017
Bachelor of Education in Primary Education @ University College of Teacher Education Vienna
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May2010 - May 2012
Vocational College for Optics (AUT) | Optician
Work experience
July 2025 - ongoing
ILM Level 5 Coach - Career and Professional Development
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May 2023 – June 2025
British Embassy Vienna (AUT) | Community Liaison Officer
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March 2020 - February 2022
University of Vienna (AUT) | Tutor at the institute of Educational
Science & Teacher Centre for Teacher Education
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July 2017 - November 2018
Kultur Kontakt Austria (AUT) | Project Coordinator​
Languages
German C2
English C2
French B2
What is Coaching?
“Coaches work on improving the performance and wellbeing of an individual or group through setting goals, exploring values, beliefs and facilitating their clients in creating plans of action. This is achieved not by telling or advising, but largely by questioning to enhance awareness and self-directed learning" (Wilson, 2020 p.10)
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Personal Development
I support clients in reaching their personal development goal through online-coaching. This is achieved by questioning rather than telling. I create a reflective space that enables my clients create action plans and facilitates self-directed learning.
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Goal Setting
I assist clients in identifying and achieving their personal and professional objectives.
Objectives could focus on:
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Change Management
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Management and Leadership
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Conflict Management
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Challenging Work Situations or Relationships
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Career Goals
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Skill Development
I support clients in identifying and developing new skills that will empower them to reach their development goal.
Client Testimonials
01
Sarah (Oxford, UK)
Working with Denise has truly been a turning point for me. She offered clarity, encouragement, and guidance that gently pushed me to see my own worth.
Before our sessions, I felt like I had lost a sense of who I was outside of being a mum. I love that role deeply, but I’d forgotten that there’s more to me…more I can explore, achieve, and enjoy. Denise helped me reconnect with that part of myself. She reminded me that I have passions, skills, and dreams that are still mine to chase.
She asked the right questions, held space without judgment, and helped me uncover options and paths I hadn’t even considered. Thanks to her, I now feel more confident and excited about the future—not just as a mum, but as a whole person.
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Lukas (Berlin, GER)
You take time and patience into the process that can be long and hard. That being said, I would definitely recommend you to anyone who is ready and willing to embark on such a journey.
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Maraike (Vienna, AUT)
Through this coaching I achieved my goals like being more confident in English, finding new fun hobbies, working towards a potential job, being a better mum and accepting myself as it is. It was a great and valuable experience.
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Tom (London, UK)
This was a positive experience - I found particularly useful the conversations that led to the articulation of ideas, and viewing challenges in particular ways that led to action. These were always useful actions that I completed. The exercises we did exploring personality characteristics were also very interesting - I need to reflect on how this information is used to improve my effectiveness. The overarching goal is something I am working on, but these sessions were helpful in achieving them.
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Clara (London, UK)
In the beginning I was uncertain what to expect from Coaching but always felt like the time had been well spent. At the last few sessions I was looking forward to finding clarity to my goals, or struggles & was pleasantly surprised by the outcomes.
Denise has helped me achieve a forward focus and sift through lots of mental clutter to find a direction. We also spoke about how to maintain this momentum in the future after coaching ends.