Contact Us

ABOUT

Centre for Coaching Education and Leadership Development  

Empowering leaders, teams and organisations

We are a centre for coaching education and leadership development co-founded by an experienced team of experts with 30+ years of engagement in business, leadership, adult education, coaching, academia, journalism, EU-funded projects in the fields of adult education, organisational development and good governance. 

Our combined interdisciplinary experience ranges from international corporations, private and public sector, institutions, associations, academic and research centres to NGOs.

Meet the Team

Dr Tatjana Dragovic Andersen

Master Certified Coach (MCC)

Associate Professor in Organisation and Management

Leadership Development, Corporate Trainings, Executive Coaching, Individual, Group and Team Coaching in Organisations, Coaching Education, Academic Coaching

Internationally renowned Trainer and Coach with three decades of experience with corporate trainings and coaching in numerous Global Corporations, Public Institutions and Higher Educational Organisations.

Expert/specialist in executive education and coaching, leadership development & coach education.

Tatjana is internationally recognised as a bridge-builder between the business and academic worlds, with roots in both. As a Master Certified Coach and executive educator, she supports organisations through research-informed coaching and Leadership and Organisational Development programmes. Numerous international corporations and public institutions have benefited from her expertise during Holistic Leadership Development Programmes, accompanied by individual, group, and team coaching. As an academic at the University of Cambridge, UK and the Faculty for Organisation Studies in Slovenia, she develops future leaders through practitioner-informed doctoral teaching and academic coaching. In both worlds, through her interdisciplinary background and cross-cultural experience, Tatjana provides conditions for clients to widen their perspectives from ‘what is’ to ‘what might be’. She is a prolific author of academic articles and books on coaching, leadership, creativity, education and professional development.
Tatjana has been supporting executives of numerous international corporations and public institutions through a three-year Holistic Leadership Development Programme she developed over three decades of experience. Her work with leaders expands from leaders to team development through the team coaching process, and from teams all the way to organisational development underpinned by a systemic approach and sustainable results. Her rich interdisciplinary background enables her to model and identify ‘room for improvement’ in the existing patterns of leaders, teams and organisations from diverse industries and sectors. Her global clientele sector profiles range from technology, healthcare, finance, energy, and professional services to local, national and international governance.

Since 2002, Tatjana has been a Programme Director and a faculty member of the 175-hour coach-specific training, first under the title NLP Coach and then, since 2012,
a Programme Director and a faculty member of the 175-hour ICF-Accredited Coaching Education Level 2, at Glotta Nova, Centre for New Knowledge, Slovenia.

Tatjana also develops and delivers various ‘top-up’ Continuing Coach Education Programmes (CCE) (e.g. Business Coaching, Team Coaching, etc.) accredited by the International Coaching Federation (USA) and aimed at coaches eager to continue their development as coaches.

Numerous international organisations and public institutes benefited from her expertise in introducing Organisational Coaching Culture and Mindset through implementing coaching programmes and setting up a system of internal coaches.

Recognised internationally as a highly successful executive educator and coach, Tatjana is known as an inspiring professional with top-class pacing skills, modelling competencies and human touch, who masterfully adapts her training and coaching approach to her clients and helps them achieve outcomes they never thought possible.

  • Master Certified Coach (MCC Credential) with the International Coaching Federation
  • Doctorate in Adult Education and Knowledge Transfer (UK)
  • Programme Director and a faculty member of the 175-hour coach-specific training NLP Coach at Glotta Nova, Centre for New Knowledge, Slovenia, since 2002
  • Programme Director and a faculty member of the 175-hour Level 2, ICF-Accredited Coaching Education at Glotta Nova, Centre for New Knowledge, Slovenia, since 2012
  • Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education Teaching and Learning (University of Cambridge) 
  • Leader of the research community »Leadership, Education Improvement and Development« for doctoral students at the University of Cambridge, UK
  • Associate Professor of Organisation and Management at the Faculty of Organisation Studies, Slovenia
  • Vice Dean for International Cooperation at the Faculty of Organisation Studies, Slovenia
  • Course Leader for Bachelor’s  and Master’s degree courses in Human Resource Management, Leadership and Organisational Culture, Leadership Excellence, Coaching in Organisations, Business Coaching, and Learning Organisations in the 21st century, at the Faculty of Organisation Studies, Slovenia 
  • Associate Lecturer in Coaching and Mentoring in Health and Social Care at Oxford Brookes University, UK
  • Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA), UK
  • Certified NLP Coach, International Teaching Seminars, UK
  • Certified NLP Trainer, International NLP, USA
  • Master ADEC Trainer (Adult Educator in Companies)
  • Member of the Trainers and Coach Team at Glotta Nova since 1993
  • Co-founder and member of the Trainers and Coach Team of Human Communications Centre, UK, since 2000
With her interdisciplinary educational and professional background, she has taken part in numerous EU-funded and ESRC (Economic and Social Research Council, UK) funded projects, in the field of adult education, creativity, possibility thinking and pracademics as principal investigator, expert and advisory board member. Some of the projects she was involved in within the framework of partner organisation Glotta Nova are: Career Plan 50+, Adult Education in Companies and Dialogue in Adult Learning (a recipient of The European Innovative Teaching Award 2025 in adult education). Possibility thinking, Dialogic Teaching, Creative Leadership and Rebellious Research were the projects she was engaged with through the University of Exeter, University of Brighton, University of Cambridge and the Open University, UK. She also contributed to numerous projects through cooperation with government aid and non-profit organisations in the field of good governance, public security, the rule of law and EU enlargement.
Urska Vahtar

Certified Coach (ITAA), Mental Coach (ISMCA)

Leadership Development, Corporate Trainings, Executive Coaching, Individual, Group and Team Coaching in Organisations, Coaching Education

International Trainer and Coach with more than fifteen years of experience with corporate trainings and coaching in numerous Global Corporations and Public Institutions.

Expert/specialist in executive coaching and education, leadership development & coaching education.

Urška Vahtar, International Transactional Analyst-Coach (ITAA), Mental Coach (ISMCA), combines extensive expertise in economics, psychology, and coaching with years of experience. She having served several years in international organizations in the USA and Slovenia. She has worked as a director in a manufacturing and service company. As a corporate trainer and coach with over 15 years of experience, Urška delivers leadership and professional development programs for employees in both the private and public sectors. She has designed numerous programs focused on effective communication, negotiation and sales skills, and the development of core employee competencies. In her role as a college lecturer in economics, business communication, and leadership, Urška develops future leaders how to develop effective strategies for navigating contemporary business challenges. With her insightful and in-depth approach, she helps clients explore their inner experiences and uncover solutions that foster both personal and professional growth.
Urska brings extensive experience supporting executives and employees at all levels within international corporations and public institutions. Her proficiency spans individual leadership development, team coaching, and comprehensive organizational development, guided by a systemic approach that ensures sustainable results. With a strong foundation in economics and psychology, complemented by proficiency in multiple modalities, she effectively partners with leaders, teams, and organizations across a wide range of sectors, including finance, banking, pharmaceuticals, trade, healthcare (clinic, hospitals), military, ministries, manufacturing, IT, engineering, medicine, sensor technology, energy storage and recovery, etc. Urska enables clients to enhance their skills and knowledge, gain meaningful insights, and create value both personally and organizationally, while maintaining a focus on holistic, long-term success.

Urška designs and delivers a range of “top up” Continuing Coach Education Programmes “– CCE (e.g., applying coaching tools to landscape of business relationships) accredited by the International Coaching Federation (USA). These programmes are intended for coaches seeking to further develop and enhance their professional expertise.

In addition, Urška delivers Continuing Professional Development Coaching Programmes for internal coaches in
international corporations (e.g. decision-making, handling new leaders challenges, etc.)

Urška also provides training for leaders and subject-matter experts to integrate coaching methodologies into their professional environments (e.g. knowledge transfer from senior to younger leaders / experts
generations).

Urška is a dedicated, results-driven educator and coach who enables clients to develop and apply their full potential to achieve meaningful personal and business outcomes. She creates a trusted environment that fosters deep self-awareness and sustainable growth. Through her practical approach, Urška empowers clients to overcome limitations with confidence and purpose.
  • University Graduate in Economics, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
  • Doctoral Candidate in Business/Executive Coaching, specialising in high-level leadership and sustainable organisational development
  • Transactional Analyst – Coach (International Transactional Analysis Association – ITAA)
  • Mental Coach (International Sports Mental Coaching Association – ISMCA; Superior School of Sport Psychology, Italy)
  • Coach, completed Level 2, ICF Accredited Coaching Education
  • Lecturer in Economics, Entrepreneurship, Business Communication, and Leadership at a higher vocational college
  • Programmes in Coaching – EMCC, Organisational Transactional Analysis, Emotional Fitness, Mental Gym, and EMDR
  • Specialised Studies of Transactional Analysis Psychotherapy
  • Higher Education Teaching Assistant at the Faculty of Organisation Studies, Summer/Winter Schools on Leadership Excellence and Coaching in Organisations
  • Market Researcher and Economics Analyst, Chemical and Automotive Industries, USA
  • Member of the Trainers Team, Glotta Nova, since 2017
  • Managing director in a manufacturing and service company
  • Founder and Managing Director at Dicentis, Slovenia, since 2015
  • Certified NLP Practitioner, INLPTA (International NLP Trainers Association)
  • Certificate in Adult Education, Centre of the Republic of Slovenia for Vocational Education
  • Mentor Education and Training Programmes, Ministry of Education, Science and Sport, Slovenia
  • TV host and journalist on national television; editor of a television programme on a commercial network; radio host and moderator,
  • Editor-in-Chief, Municipal Newspaper, since 2021.

Urška has been involved in education and training for Work Well-being Managers through the WELLy Programme – Introducing the Job Profile of a Manager for Work Well-being to Prevent and Combat Work- related Stress (2022), implemented by the Faculty of Organisation Studies in Novo mesto, Instituto
Universitario de Lisboa, the Institute of Entrepreneurship Development, and other international partners.

As part of Glotta Nova, she has contributed to several national and EU-funded projects, including Acquisition of Basic and Professional Competencies (2018–2022 and 2023–2028) and Dialogue in Adult Learning—the
latter recognized with the European Innovative Teaching Award 2025 in adult education. She also participated in Mentor Education and Training Programmes (2019), organized by the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport, the European Social Fund and the Biotechnical Education Centre Ljubljana.

In addition to her work, Urška has a background in media, having served as a TV host and journalist on national television, editor of a TV show on a commercial television network, radio host and moderator. She also held the position of Editor-in-Chief of a municipal newspaper. Through her academic background and professional experience, she has developed expertise in public speaking, and professional presentation skills as well.

Karmen Semrl
Associate Certified Coach (ACC)

Leadership Development, Corporate Trainings, Individual, Group and Team Coaching in Organisations, Coaching Education, Mentor Coaching, Adult Learning Projects

Innovative Trainer and Coach with more than two decades of experience with trainings and coaching in numerous international Private and Public Companies, Public Institutions, NGOs and Educational Organisations.

Expert/specialist in leadership development & coaching education.

Karmen is a creative adult educator who brings ease to learning. As co-author of numerous educational programmes, she creates tailor-made solutions focused on professional development, particularly in leadership development and coaching education. As an ICF credentialed coach, she partners with individuals, groups, and teams to raise self-awareness and awareness of others and the systems they operate in, helping them create their preferred path to the future. She is dedicated to advancing coaching recognition and to the coaching community in Slovenia, having been one of the founding members of ICF Slovenia in 2019. She served as an ICF Slovenia Charter Chapter Board member from 2019-2023 and continues to support chapter members and other coaches in applying for or renewing their ICF credentials. Karmen is an enthusiastic team member of EU projects transferring innovative learning and teaching approaches into practice.

She works primarily with leaders developing their leadership style through training and/or individual, team and group coaching or combining these approaches (depending on the needs and preferences of individual organisation), to best support their personal and professional growth.

Since 2012 she has been a faculty member of the 175-hour coach specific programme Coach at Glotta Nova, Centre for New Knowledge, Slovenia, which is aimed at development of professional coaches, accredited by the International Coaching Federation (currently Level 2, ICF-Accredited Coaching Education).

She also trains and mentors internal coaches to conduct individual and group coaching in their organisations, as well as leaders to use coaching approach in their leadership style and she supports organisations in implementing coaching into their cultures.

Karmen is known as a creative trainer and insightful coach who knows how to challenge participants/clients to step out of their comfort zone. With her subtle sense of humour, she ensures they look at the challenges they face from a different perspective, helping them take a step forward in gaining new competencies and making the change they desire.
  • ICF Slovenia Charter Chapter, Board of Directors, 2019-2023
  • A Faculty Member of the 175-hour Level 2, ICF-Accredited Coaching Education at Glotta Nova, Centre for New Knowledge, Slovenia, since 2012
  • Associate Certified Coach (ACC Credential) with International Coaching Federation
  • Certified NLP Coach
  • Certified Career Coach
  • Certified ADEC Trainer (Adult Educator in Companies)
  • Specialist Education in Pedagogy and Andragogy
  • Freelance Trainer since 2007
  • Member of Trainers Team at Glotta Nova since 2002
  • A Faculty Member at the Faculty of Organisation Studies in Summer/Winter School on Leadership Excellence and Coaching in Organisation, since 2019
  • Radio Host and Event Moderator since 2006

Being a radio announcer and host, she has also specialised in rhetoric, business presentations and public speaking. Her expertise includes train the trainer and mentoring skills programmes designed to foster learning in organisations.

With her educational background and vast experience in adult learning, she has taken part in a number of EU projects, in the field of adult education, both as project manager and as expert/trainer/facilitator. Some of the projects she was involved in within the framework of partner organisation Glotta Nova, Slovenia, include: Dialogue in Adult Learning (DIAL, 2022–2024), which was labelled as good practice by European Commission and got The European Innovative Teaching Award 2025 in adult education, Strategies for Professional and Personal Success (Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme) and Easy to Join Education, Inclusion for All (EASY).

She has been a trainer or facilitator andragogue in numerous projects by non-profit organisations in the field of topics of European politics and integration, bringing them to practical implementation, and by organisations dedicated to advancing good governance, public security, and the rule of law conducted in Ukraine, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Kosovo and North Macedonia.

Bernarda Potocnik, MA
Professional Certified Coach (PCC)

Coaching Education, Mentor Coaching, Individual, Group and Team Coaching in Organisations, Leadership Development, Professional and Personal Growth, Adult Learning Projects, Higher Education

Passionate Coach and Trainer with over 20 years of experience across various organisations in the public and private sectors, committed to maintaining high professional standards in both coaching and training.

Expert in coaching education & professional and personal development.

Bernarda has been practising as a coach since 2004, supporting individuals in their professional and personal development, as well as teams in achieving their outcomes. Her impact as coach trainer and mentor coach extends to numerous individuals who have pursued their path as professional coaches, as well as leaders, managers, consultants, educators, and other professionals whom she has trained and mentored to develop coaching competencies. Bernarda designs and facilitates training programmes tailored to clients’ needs, consistently delivering measurable value and meaningful outcomes. She is a long-standing member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and was a founding member of the ICF Slovenia Chapter, which later evolved into the ICF Slovenia Charter Chapter. Committed to advancing the recognition of coaching, she has contributed to strengthening the coaching community through her service, and also through speaking at various conferences, promoting the transformative impact of coaching and fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth.

She works with employees at all levels of the organisation—including specialists, experts, and leaders—to support their continuous learning and development. Her rich educational background, informed by neurolinguistic methodology and integrative approach, allows her to masterfully combine different modalities to best support individuals on their path of professional and personal growth. She enables them to enhance their skills and knowledge, gain meaningful insights, create value both for them personally and for the organisation, while keeping in focus their holistic success and wellbeing.

Since 2012 she has been a faculty member of the 175-hour coach specific programme Coach at Glotta Nova, Centre for New Knowledge, Slovenia, which is aimed at development of professional coaches, accredited by the International Coaching Federation (currently Level 2, ICF Accredited Coaching Education).

Bernarda has also been delivering trainings for leaders and experts to integrate coaching approach in their professional settings, as well as comprehensive trainings for development of internal coaches in companies.

As a mentor coach, Bernarda creates an environment that encourages self-awareness, growth, and empowerment—enabling coaches to expand their perspectives, embrace new challenges, and enhance their presence and effectiveness in coaching practice. She supports coaches at all stages of their development, including guiding them through the process of earning or renewing their credentials. Bernarda actively supports the ongoing growth of coaches also by offering programmes of reflective practice.

Bernarda is known as a dedicated and inspiring trainer and coach, bringing warmth and positivity that help co-create a supportive and uplifting learning environment. Her approach blends hands-on experimentation, with moments of playfulness and flow, enabling clients to fully engage in self-exploration and gain the confidence to move beyond their limitations. Through deep trust, genuine curiosity, and her calm presence, she offers a safe space where clients feel heard, supported and empowered to make meaningful change.
  • Professional Certified Coach (PCC Credential) with International Coaching Federation
  • MA in Anthropology
  • A Faculty Member of the 175-hour Level 2, ICF-Accredited Coaching Education at Glotta Nova, Centre for New Knowledge, Slovenia, since 2012
  • Specialised Studies of Integrative Psychotherapy at the Institute of Integrative Psychotherapy
  • Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Training
  • Certified NLP Coach
  • Certified Career Coach
  • Certified NLP Trainer
  • Certified ADEC Trainer (Adult Educator in Companies)
  • A Faculty Member of Higher Educational Institution (Wellness Studies), since 2012
  • A Faculty Member at the Faculty of Organisation Studies in Summer/Winter School on Leadership Excellence and Coaching in Organisation, since 2019
  • Member of Trainers Team at Glotta Nova since 1998

As an expert/trainer in the field of adult learning, she has taken part in a number of EU projects, within the framework of partner organisation Glotta Nova, Slovenia, including: Dialogue in Adult Learning (DIAL, 2022–2024 ), which was labelled as good practice by European Commission and got The European Innovative Teaching Award 2025 in adult education, Educational Counselling during Rehabilitation (EduCoRe) and Youth Employment Support (YES).

Leadership Excellence, 2020

Managers’ Club, 2019

Leadership Development Programme, 2021

ICPE and Algerian Startup Learning Expedition, 2025

Coach training, 2024

5th Career Coaches Conference, 2014

Coaching demo (Coach training), 2022

Managers’ Congress, 2019

Annual Conference on Adult Education, 2022

Coach training, 2020

Coach training, 2024

Cross-sectoral cooperation, 2024

Annual Conference on Adult Education, 2022

Dialogue in Adult Education (Project Dial), 2024

2nd International Wellness Congress (screen capture, RTV Slovenia), 2019

Mission and Vision

Through partnering, experiential training and coaching, we inspire systemic individual, team and organisational ongoing self-renewal mindset to assist achievement of their full potential.

Our Values

Guided by integrity and humanity, we collaborate with our clients to ignite their curiosity about going beyond what is to what might be. While upholding and respecting high professionalism, we remain committed to the clients’ development and growth through challenging them to challenge themselves.

Methodology

Holistic/Systemic Approach: Process-Oriented Systemic Approach (POSA)

We view individuals, groups/teams and organisations as dynamic systems with interconnected subsystems that drive behavior. While co-existing with others in broader personal and professional contexts, individuals, teams and organisations are underpinned by their purposes, cultures, values, beliefs, strategies, processes, structures and stories.

We utilise coaching as a process that both creates deep learning and results in the development and growth of individuals, teams, and organisations. In view of the cutting edge studies in adult learning, the coaching approach considers core assumptions about adult learners, focusing on self-direction, experience-based learning, internal motivation and personalised development path.

One of the modalities integrated into our coaching approach is Neuro-linguistic Programming – NLP, defined by its founders, Bandler and Grinder, as the study of ‘the structure of subjective experience’ and as ‘methodology and innovative technology’ (1975). Grinder later defined it as the study of personal and professional excellence. NLP approach is characterised by systemic modelling of excellence on individual, team and organisational level.

Thus, the process of coaching influenced by NLP and supported by systems thinking leads to our unique Process Oriented Systemic Approach (POSA) embedded in all our programmes.

The main features of the
Process Oriented Systemic
Approach (POSA) are:

  • interactive work with real current issues rather than invented cases,
  • modelling existing patterns (of behaviour, thinking, beliefs etc.) of individuals, groups/teams and organisations,
  • double-loop experiential learning,
  • the use of creativity and
  • bridge-building between personal/professional contexts and academic research.

These features ensure a long-term sustainable change characterised by ongoing inquiry, self-renewal mindset, learning, and growth and thus avoid traps of piece meal fragmented approaches.

Partnerships

Glotta Nova

Glotta Nova is a training centre with a strong domain expertise in soft skills, coaching education, leadership training and coaching. Having offered personal growth and professional development programmes since 1992, Glotta Nova has acquired a wide-ranging experience in creating change in individuals and organisations.

Visit page

Human Communications Centre

Human Communications Centre is an international centre for coaching, personal and professional development. Since 2002 their team enables people to achieve their goals in business, private life and health through experiential training, advanced modelling and existential coaching – ultimately with the aim of making this world a better place for their clients and for everyone else.

Visit page

European Development Academy

European Development Academy is an action-oriented institution of public interest dedicated to advancing good governance, public security, and the rule of law. Their mission is to achieve measurable results in international development cooperation within the EU and Western Balkan countries.

Visit page
Contact Us
Linkedin