FROM SPARK TO SERVICE Kalena James: Making Life Coaching Accessible
Fifteen years ago, Kalena James’ passion for coaching was sparked while working with at-risk youth through her church’s women’s and youth ministries. Seeing former Sunday school students in detention centers made her reevaluate how she could serve them and the Lord more effectively. At the same time, she was excelling as an executive professional for the State of Indiana, overseeing the learning plans of 1,200 employees and driving organizational change management strategies.
Despite that career safety, she noticed a gap: while those in leadership roles had access to training, many vulnerable individuals lacked the tools to change their circumstances. This realization led her to pursue certification through an International Coaching Federation-accredited coach training program, shifting her focus to supporting transformation from the inside out. That decision has shaped her path ever since, leading to a career that blends Christian faith, leadership, and transformation.
“Leaving a secure 9-to-5 job to pursue coaching full time required immense trust in Christ,” James said. “Two years prior to that, I had been examining who I was, what I was called to do, and began to fully strive to step into God’s purpose for me.”
By 2022, James was serving as an adjunct professor for IWU, leading classes at the Kokomo Thriving Center. There, she hosted two-day training experiences for nonprofit leaders, faith-based organizations, school administrators and health professionals. These boot camps introduced the foundations of life coaching as a tool for combating compassion fatigue, strengthening mental resilience, and equipping leaders with mindset shifts and practical strategies to support those they serve. The success of these boot camps led to deeper collaboration with IWU.
When the university sought a director of professional coaching ventures, James quickly recognized the role as a natural fit. The opportunity to help develop IWU’s professional coaching program, aligned perfectly with her background. Through IWU's coaching program, James integrated health, life, and business coaching into the university’s offerings.
“I love partnering with visionaries — leaders and professionals committed to creating meaningful change in people’s lives,” James said. “Coaching is transformative. Before IWU, I had the privilege of coaching Fortune 500 leaders, accumulating over 2,000 hours of coaching experience and 10,000 hours in change management. Now, I get to merge faith, professional development, and coaching at a mission-driven university — an opportunity that’s both deeply fulfilling and impactful.”
While her work at IWU has been rewarding, it has also required James to navigate various challenges, including resource sharing and time constraints.
“Unlike traditional academic programs, coaching functions in a more agile and flexible manner, which can create challenges — what I like to refer to as potential steppingstones — when it comes to aligning priorities and obtaining the necessary support,” James said.
Despite these hurdles, she believes the university’s commitment to innovation and student impact has helped her professional coaching program thrive, ensuring that coaching becomes an integral part of IWU’s ecosystem.
As head of IWU coaching program, James leads by example — “walking the talk.” For her, leadership isn’t simply about what is said, but how it is lived. She strives to not just be a messenger, but a living message of effective leadership.
“One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is working with like-minded individuals across campus who pour their hearts into this kingdom mission — not out of obligation, but out of a genuine desire to serve,” James said. “It’s a privilege to contribute to an environment where faith and leadership go hand in hand. At IWU, I get to partner with faculty, staff, and students to infuse coaching into leadership development, ensuring that those we serve receive the tools, encouragement, and support needed to thrive.”
Fifteen years ago, James never imagined that God would turn a passion for ministry and service into a professional calling. Her initial goal was simple: become a better Christian and serve the body of Christ more effectively.
Today, she sees how God has woven together her skills, experiences, and faith to create something far bigger than herself. She believes IWU provides an environment where she can live out her faith in action, helping others do the same as they connect with God’s purpose in ways that strengthen both their professional and personal lives.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside such an incredible university and support a mission that I truly believe in,” James said. “This work isn’t something we do because we have to — we do it because we want to, because we can, and because God calls us to it.”
“ONE OF THE MOST REWARDING ASPECTS OF MY ROLE IS WORKING WITH LIKE-MINDED INDIVIDUALS ACROSS CAMPUS WHO POUR THEIR HEARTS INTO THIS KINGDOM MISSION...” — KALENA JAMES Director of Professional Coaching Ventures
