About Me
“In humility, living life one act of kindness at a time”
Hello! I’m Dina Sabry Fivaz
Nice to meet you! And thank you for visiting my website. I look forward to connecting with you.
With love, Dina
Hi, I’m Dina, your certified coach from the University of Cambridge, and founder of Agape Heart & Soul.
Recognised by Influence Digest Media as one of Top 15 coaches in Basel, I draw on my rich life experience, cultural heritage, broad range of studies and diverse career path across functions & industries, including a 24-year career in Human Resources in large corporations. And I place it all at your service as your coach.
Born in Egypt to Egyptian parents, I have lived in multiple countries and was exposed to diverse cultures at a very young age, mainly thanks to my mom who was a diplomat. I now live in Switzerland and have done for 30+ years.
I am a wife, mom, daughter, sister, friend, neighbour, volunteer, coach, trainer, author, poet, picture book writer, singer – songwriter, and podcaster. As a woman of many passions, I am however most passionate about people, and inspired to support you on your life’s journey.
Many years ago, a hiring manager in an interview turned to me and said: “What a patchwork CV”. I smiled proudly ’till I realised that, in her world, patchwork is a liability! But in mine, patchwork is an asset! It’s who I am: an insatiable mind with a rainbow of interests. She still hired me.
Today, this colourful patchwork path of mine allows me to connect and effectively serve clients from a variety of backgrounds, industries, and cultures. It makes me a better coach.
Learn about my patchwork background
So how “patchworky” am I?
Let’s see…
Academically, I have:
- 2 BAs – in Tourism & Hotel Management, and Business & Marketing,
- 2 MAs – a MBA and a MA in Media & Communication,
- 1 Certificate in Coaching
- 1 Diploma in Gestalt Coaching
- and a zillion other certifications in a variety of fields – Human resources, Human Rights, Coaching, Psychology, Leadership, Writing, Blogging, Parenting, and more.
Why? Because I love studying. It opens my world to new horizons & perspectives, which enriches my life and those I serve – including you, my clients.
I have worked in 4 different industries:
- Tourism & Hotel industry,
- Pharmaceutical,
- Intergovernmental – United Nations,
- Non-Governmental – NGOs.
I have also changed careers 5 times:
Somehow my career moved from being a a) hotel professional, to b) Tour Operator agent in the travel industry, to c) Human Resources (HR) professional, to d) Human Rights consultant, back to e) HR, and now f) coaching.
During my 24-year journey as a People Practices (HR) Manager in multinational organisations, I changed roles every 3-4 years, working in the areas of:
- Compensation & Performance Management,
- HR Operations,
- HR Analytics & Automation,
- Global Project & Change Management,
- Diversity & Inclusion,
- Training,
- Leadership & People Development,
- Employee Counselling & Mental Health,
- Employee Engagement, and finally
- Coaching.
Why? Because I was never interested in a typical “moving up-the-ladder” career. Instead, I chose to move laterally between disciplines and functions to satisfy my continuous thirst for learning and discovery of new worlds.
Learn more about my formal qualifications
Learn more about what it’s like to work with me
Testimonials
Working with me
My journey
My path wasn’t always smooth.
Despite being a high performer, I lost my job 5 times throughout my career, changed careers 5 times, and can relate to how difficult this can be. I also know that every time this happened, it became a unique opportunity to re-launch my career onto new and refreshing paths.
When I burned-out at the end of 2014, I realised I needed to make drastic changes in my life: carving out time for myself, my family, my writing, and God. So, I made a conscious choice to give voice to my personal needs and passions beyond work. I became a certified coach. I returned to my writing and poetry, and became a published picture book author, blogger, and podcaster. I also became a gospel choir singer, and am an active volunteer at my local church.
And I’m still learning – sometimes the hard way… :).
At your service
Having gone through a multitude of transitions and mused over existential questions, I am passionate and inspired to support you on your own learning journey, search for meaning, and life transitions, whatever these may be.
Transitions are but the chrysalis from which new life can form! When we choose to go through that uncomfortable, at times painful, space – that’s when we make the most meaningful shifts in our lives. And it’s a journey we are not meant to take alone.
Whatever you may be going through right now that has brought you to my page, one thing is certain: We are not meant to go through life’s summits and valleys on our own, but in the companionship of others. I would be honoured to be your companion and walk alongside you on your journey.
Pericles said: “What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the [hearts and] lives of others”. What I would like to leave behind as your coach is for you to know that you are accepted, loved, and cared for deeply just the way you are; and that you are on an exciting journey waiting to unfold.
My coaching approach
I love to work with people from all walks of life, because I believe that we are all inherently connected, through our mere humanity and existence.
I allow my intuition to guide me and place it at your service. If you are open to it, I like to create experiments together with you during a session that help enhance your level of awareness. This may involve body work or imaginative work.
I focus on awareness in my coaching because I believe that – with a heightened sense of awareness – change occurs, almost effortlessly.
I view coaching as a genuine relationship. As your coach, I am as invested in our relationship as you are. We mutually influence and impact each other. As such, and if appropriate, I share with you my thoughts and feelings in reaction to what you share. This is not to direct your decision or give you advice. But rather, I offer it to you as an additional data point or viewpoint, in case it may be helpful in enhancing your level of awareness even further.
My values and beliefs guide me in how I choose to coach, not what’s “trendy”. My work with my clients is centred around the whole person. While I am familiar with many models, tools and techniques, my focus at the end of the day is you, my client – body, mind and soul. For the real magic happens in that space in-between; as we meet, open ourselves up, and invite each other into our respective worlds.
I strive to connect with each one of my clients in a positive and meaningful way, which also means that I tailor my approach to my clients’ individual preferences, styles and needs.
I look forward to getting to know you. Dina
My values & beliefs
♥ My Christian faith is an important part of who I am and who I aspire to be. I don’t proselytise, my faith simply informs my core values, beliefs, and therefore coaching approach.
♥ I value relationships more than anything else. I love to connect with strangers, because we are only a stranger once!
♥ I believe that everything happens for a reason.
♥ I believe that we glide in and out of each other’s lives for a season, for a reason.
♥ I believe that we are not alone, but guided and supported by a higher Spirit (if we allow it).
♥ I believe that the human race shares a common life purpose: Love or Agape. And each one of us is invited through a different learning journey in life to get there. Mine is to “in humility, live life one act of kindness at a time”.
♥ I believe that all things come together for the good.
♥ I believe in the power of intuition, and the power of grief/mourning—for they have the power to propel us unto uncharted and greener pastures.
My picture book is out! Order your copy today.
God’s Love Letter: Creation is a 40-page lyrical picture book for all ages – from 4 to 99+ – and can be shared across faiths.
My formal qualifications
My experience
- 24 years of professional experience across a wide spectrum of People Practices (Human Resources functions); with an emphasis on Coaching, Leadership development, Employee engagement, Burnout prevention, Diversity & Inclusion
- Experienced working in the private sector (pharmaceutical, travel services), as well as in the IGO (United Nations) and NGO sectors
My education
- Coaching Certificate, ICE, University of Cambridge, UK
- Masters in Business Administration, IU, Geneva, CH
- Masters of Arts in Media & Communication, IU, Geneva, CH
My training
- Certified Gallup CliftonStrengths Coach
- Gestalt Coaching Diploma, with thought-leader John Leary-Joyce
- Non-Violent Communication (NVC) training by Peace Factory and Connecting2life
- Team Coaching, taught under coaching guru David Clutterbuck and Team Coaching Studio
- Mental Health and Wellbeing courses by ensa, Centre for Stress Management and Chris Johnstone
- Autism & Neurodivergence courses by the National Autistic Society (UK) and GoldMind Neurodiversity
- Parenting training courses by HandinHand, Aletha Solter and Naomi Aldort
Highlights
Years of experience
Coaching clients
Coaching training hours
Certifications & Memberships
My Top 10 Gallup Strengths
1-Learner
2-Connectedness
3.Achiever
4-Individualisation
5-Input
6-Empathy
7-Developer
8-Intellection
9-Strategic
10-Positivity
Former employers
Testimonials
What my clients say about working with me
Transitions are the chrysalis from which new life can form… & you don’t need to go through them on your own
Coaching people in transition or in search of meaning is a true passion of mine, because I know that, when we choose to go through that uncomfortable, at times painful, space – that’s when we make the most meaningful shifts in our lives. And it’s a journey we are not meant to take alone. Dina