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The people behind the project
Prof. Christian van Nieuwerburgh
PhD · Professor of Coaching & Well-being
Christian is Professor of Coaching and Well-being and Global Director for Growth Coaching International. He is a Principal Fellow of the Centre for Wellbeing Science at the University of Melbourne and Honorary CollectivEd Fellow at Leeds Beckett University. A certified executive coach (Master Practitioner, EMCC; Professional Certified Coach, ICF), Christian is the author of An Introduction to Coaching Skills: A Practical Guide (3rd ed.) and co-editor of From Surviving to Thriving: A Student's Guide to Feeling and Doing Well at University. Passionate about the integration of coaching and well-being science across educational, health, and corporate settings — and known to ride a Harley Davidson (@coachonamotorcycle).
Kristina Shea
Researcher · Well-being Science
What happens when you combine 15+ years of finance leadership, cutting-edge well-being research, and a passion for unlocking human potential? From Deputy Director of a major government agency, to international non-profits, to the research labs of three prestigious universities, Kristina has always been driven by one question: How do we help people become the best versions of themselves? Her journey took a pivotal turn during her Masters at Pepperdine University, where she discovered Appreciative Inquiry — an approach that focuses on what is already working brilliantly. This mindset shift led her to earn certifications from Gallup, become an ICF-certified coach, and complete the University of Pennsylvania's renowned MAPP program. Now, as a PhD candidate at the University of Bologna studying leader and leadership development in the Italian and European context, Kristina bridges rigorous academic research with real-world impact. Her work focuses on leadership interventions that enhance collective well-being — because sustainable success requires leaders who thrive personally while creating environments where their teams flourish too.