About Marilyn Fettner

Marilyn Fettner, LCPC, CCC, NCC, CPVC – Your Trusted Partner in Professional and Personal Development and Executive Leadership

Marilyn Fettner

With over 25 years of dedicated experience as a Chicago area career coaching, executive coaching, and personal counseling expert, I am deeply committed to guiding you to achieve your fullest potential, both professionally and personally. I founded my firm in 1998, and since then, I have empowered a diverse clientele, including executives, business owners and new entrepreneurs, career-changers, and students, with the tools and insights needed for career success and personal fulfillment in their lives.

 

Experience That Speaks Volumes:

My career as a career coach, executive and leadership coach, and personal life coach, has been a blend of influential roles and extensive learning. Prior to founding my Chicago area coaching practice, I shaped futures as the Director of Training for McCormick Place / Navy Pier and honed leadership skills as a Manager for Coldwell Banker. These experiences, coupled with my executive roles in professional career development, have equipped me with a unique perspective on personal growth and professional career advancement.

 

Expertise That Empowers:

I hold a rich tapestry of licenses, certifications, and degrees, including an LCPC, NCC, and M.S. in Counseling from National Louis University and an M.A. in Human Resource Development from Webster University. My coaching expertise and interpersonal insight is further enhanced by certifications in the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, the Highlands Ability Battery as a Certified Affiliate and Certified Personal Vision Coach, a Certified Career Counselor from the National Career Development Association, a Certified Coaching Instructor from Achieve Global, a Certified Collaborative Divorce Coach, and a Gottman Couples Method practitioner. As a result of this training and experience, I possess insights, training, and experience to empower you to move beyond obstacles in your personal and professional life to reach your potential for a satisfying and successful career and life.

A Holistic, Ethical Approach:

My philosophy is holistic – I believe in looking at the bigger picture of who you are, as a whole person – with all of your attributes and where you are in your life – to uncover interconnected solutions and possibilities. Ethics and integrity are at the core of my practice. I adhere strictly to professional ethics codes, ensuring a safe, respectful, accepting, and confidential environment for all of my clients.

Recognition and Influence:

My career and personal coaching insights have been featured on Fox TV’s Good Day Chicago and NBC TV’s Starting Over, and I’ve been quoted in numerous publications including USAToday and Crain’s Chicago Business. As a thought leader, I’ve also contributed to the broader community through workshops and seminars, sharing my expert knowledge and passion for career and personal development.

A Personal Note:

My path to coaching and counseling was driven by challenges in my own life and embracing my drive to understand while empowering my strengths to move beyond obstacles and explore possibilities to achieve. This personal connection to my work of believing in the necessity of being curious, trusting in one’s strengths, and exploring possibilities fuels my commitment to each individual I work with.

Continued Growth and Community Involvement:

I am a lifelong learner, continually engaging in professional development to bring the most current and effective strategies to my clients. My community involvement includes affiliations with the National Career Development Association, Institute of Coaching at McClean Hospital, Illinois Counseling Association, National Board for Certified Counselors, and Illinois Career Development Association.

This revised introduction aims to more effectively communicate your E-E-A-T qualities, making your About Page more compelling and reflective of your professional stature.

Resources available for you:

  • Written checklists, exercises, and guides (included in your meeting fee)
  • Skills coaching with optional check-ins to support your progress (included in your meeting fee)
  • Ability, interest, and personality assessments for students and adults.
  • Coaching and techniques to manage challenges that may be getting in your way, such as LD, ADHD, or negative thinking.
  • Illinois Licensed Professional Counselor
  • Certified Career Counselor, CCC
    National Career Development Association
  • National Certified Counselor, National Board for Certified Counselors
  • M.S. in Counseling, National Louis University
  • M.A. in Human Resource Development, Webster University
  • B.A. in Education, Northeastern Illinois University
  • Certified in Myers-Briggs Type Indicator / MBTI and Strong Interest and Skills Confidence Inventory, Consulting Psychology Press
  • Certified in Highlands Ability Battery, The Highlands Company
  • Certified Personal Vision Coach, The Highlands Company
  • Certified Coaching Instructor, Achieve Global
  • CHADD Certified Volunteer Teacher Parent2Parent Program (for ADHD), CHADD
  • Gottman Couples Method I, Gottman Institute
  • Collaborative Divorce Coach, Collaborative Law Institute of Illinois
  • Trained Divorce Mediator, Northwestern University
  • American Counseling Association
  • Illinois Counseling Association
  • National Career Development Association
  • Exclusive Professional Women’s Networking Group
  • Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
  • Northern Illinois Society for Human Resource Management
  • Guest career consultant on Fox TV’s Good Day Chicago & NBC TV’s Starting Over
  • Quoted in USAToday, Crain’s Chicago Business, Tribune’s Employment Outlook, Today’s Chicago Woman Magazine, Make It Better Magazine, and ACA’s Counseling Today.
Prior to starting my practice, I served as:
  • Director of Training for McCormick Place / Navy Pier
  • Manager for Coldwell Banker
  • Director of Professional Development for the North Shore Board
  • Certified Associate for Lee Hecht Harrison
  • Junior High Teacher for Schechter Middle School
  • Additional roles: recruiter, corporate training consultant, and freelance writer.

Testimonials

“I was a recent grad with no clear career path. I went to Marilyn to find a career but walked away with so much more. Marilyn worked with me to find a career that I was passionate about and along the way she helped me build my self confidence…I went to Marilyn to simply find a job and walked away with so much more.”
L.F.
L.F.
“Before working with Marilyn, my career had no direction. She helped me to define what I wanted out of my career – to identify my strengths and give me the confidence I needed to pursue my career dreams. And Marilyn’s interview advice helped me to land the job I’ve always wanted. Thank you Marilyn!”
J.S.
J.S.
“I really appreciate all the useful tips and insights Marilyn gave me. I felt much more empowered and confident in the interviewing process, which helped me get the job.”
C.M.
C.M.
“I had read countless “how-to” books, but was unable to make any significant progress toward my life goals until I worked one-on-one with Marilyn. Her advice was extremely constructive and thoughtful; she let me set my own pace, respected my opinions, and helped me stay motivated.”
V.M.
V.M.
“Thank you, Marilyn, for all your help in bringing about this new job. The framework you provided to discover the right career made finding and recognizing the right job much easier. Despite the sometimes challenging job news, I can claim it’s possible to be over 50, unemployed long-term, and find rewarding work without compromising money or position.”
M.A.
M.A.
“My work with Marilyn began after a grueling period of unemployment. Additionally, I was looking to make a move to a new and very distant city. With focused determination on results, accomplishments, and honest self-appraisal, Marilyn helped me secure a great position in my chosen city. More importantly, she helped restore my confidence in my abilities, skills, and experience. I enthusiastically recommend Marilyn Fettner.”
S.W.
S.W.
“Marilyn adds tremendous value to the career search. I had read countless “how-to” books, but was unable to make any significant progress toward my life goals until I worked one-on-one with her.”
F.K.
F.K.
“You gave me the encouragement to make my idea a reality. I’m so excited about what the future holds.”
D.Y.
D.Y.
“Our time together got me started and low and behold someone tapped me on the shoulder. I was glad to have had your guidance and…I ended up in an environment very close to what I had envisioned through some of your exercises. I truly appreciate the insight I gained when we worked together.”
M.G.
M.G.
“I needed someone to help me focus and organize my job search, and your credentials impressed me as someone with the expertise that I was looking for.”
J.C.
J.C.
“I’m so glad we spent time on the negotiating part of the process…it really helped and gave me a lot of confidence going forward….it made quite a difference in the final offer I was able to negotiate.”
C.D.
C.D.
“Marilyn assisted me in creating a coherent and effective resume out of my complicated work history. Her advice was extremely constructive and thoughtful, reflecting her extensive knowledge of current trends in the employment market.”
A.R.
A.R.
“I couldn’t let the day go by without thanking you again for your assistance on Monday and Tuesday with our Open Doors orientations. We were delighted to have you back with us to support our continuous improvement initiative. It really is a great program and your insights are so valuable to our students.”
Laura Picchietti Cox
Laura Picchietti CoxParent Volunteer, Lake Forest High School - Open Doors Program – Website
“I appreciate the assistance you gave me…it helped me go as far as I did so quickly. Thank you!”
S.F.
S.F.
Marilyn has an upbeat, positive approach. There’s a good flow of information, directed toward results.”
L.R.
L.R.
“What I most appreciate is being able to ask questions and always getting a very clear, insightful answer, and sometimes with some needed humor.”
S.F.
S.F.
“I can see where I have to perform more self-assessment work. Lots of good ideas and I must start implementing them.”
S.P.
S.P.
“The resume writing was so extremely helpful to me!”
R.W.
R.W.
“Being kind of shy, the networking planning and practice really helped. I was intimidated by it, but now I’m out there making contacts and getting referrals. It’s paying off.”
R.C.
R.C.
“I felt like I was floating around, not getting anywhere until I wrote an actual plan. It kept me focused on who I needed to contact and how to get the information and connections I needed.”
M.J.
M.J.
“The mock interviews helped me turn the corner in my interviewing. The feedback and taping showed me exactly what I needed to change. After that I started getting offers.”
A.W.
A.W.
“I never really felt comfortable negotiating offers. I wasn’t sure of how to do it or what to say. Marilyn’s coaching made all the difference. I got more than I thought I could get. It truly paid off.”
J.K.
J.K.
“I was really frustrated and unhappy in my job. I knew I needed a change but didn’t know how to begin. Working with Marilyn encouraged me to think concretely about career possibilities. It’s important to spend time on the process, thinking about it and working toward a goal.”
F.D.
F.D.
“Your techniques had such a positive impact on my view of public speaking. It made all the difference to my approach, of those once totally dreaded situations.”
B.G.
B.G.
“One of the most valuable parts of your service was revising my resume to clearly summarize and highlight my skills and experience in relation to the jobs that interest me.”
S.F.
S.F.
“Thank you for your wonderful guidance, patience, writing skills, and ear!”
K.L.
K.L.
“We covered a lot of useful information at each session, so each session was helpful and informative.”
L.P.
L.P.Occupation, Company – Website
“Thank you for all of your support and assistance. It helped me focus on priorities and presenting myself in the best light possible. I was able to present my true self and not an image of myself. I am grateful and appreciative of your assistance.”
H.P.
H.P.Occupation, Company – Website
“You definitely gave me a head start in the right direction. Thank you.”
J.O.
J.O.
“It was a pleasure to have you work with us for the After School – From College to Career sessions. You are a tremendous asset! The feedback from the students from last night’s session was wonderful. They were very glad they came, because they came away with much knowledge they didn’t have before. I think they had fun too!”
Susan Bell
Susan BellExecutive Director, College Bound Opportunities – Website
“Thank you so much for providing such good ideas for the students again this year. We truly value your knowledge… We continue to hear positive feedback from the mentors about how prepared they are and this just reinforces the importance of your presentation.”
Sarah Glynn
Sarah GlynnCommittee Member, Lake Forest High School - Open Doors Program – Website
“Marilyn was a joy to work with. She was easily accessible and let me set my own pace, respected my opinions, and helped me stay motivated.”
V.M.
V.M.
“I learned a lot about myself during our meetings and I’m committed to staying positive!”
L.A.
L.A.
“Thank you for all you’ve done for me! I am doing really well at this new job and I am enjoying it. Everyone here is nice and respectful and this feels like a fun and safe work environment. Thank you for all the work you did with me!”
S.D.
S.D.
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