Meet the trainer: Chloe Hall

What's your role at ICDA?

I'm a Trainer in Community Leadership and Governance at ICDA. I design and deliver training for not-for-profit boards - helping directors and leaders build their confidence, strengthen their leadership, and ultimately enable their organisations to have greater impact.

What's your involvement in the community sector?

I've worked with not-for-profit and community organisations across most of my career - in leadership roles, as a community board director (Kids’ Own Publishing, I CAN Network) and now as a trainer. Before that I spent over 15 years in the music industry, writing songs for film and TV and touring, which turned out to be surprisingly good preparation for working with groups and bringing ideas to life.

What's your teaching style?

Practical, conversational and energetic. I start from where people are, use real examples to bring theory to life and make plenty of space for participants to learn from each other. I care about people leaving with something they can actually use.

How do you like to be taught?

I learn best when I can see how something applies to a real situation and when there's space to ask questions and think out loud. A bit of humour helps too… some of my most powerful learning experiences have been light-hearted and fun.

What's the most memorable thing anyone has ever said in one of your training sessions?

A participant once said, at the end of a half-day workshop on roles and responsibilities: 'I've been leading teams for six years and I've only just understood what I'm actually supposed to be doing.' There was good-natured laughter, but also a moment of genuine recognition around the room. It's light-bulb moments like these that remind me why this work matters.

If you weren't a trainer, what would you like to be?

I’m very happy here at ICDA, but if I had to dream up another role, it’d likely be something to do with helping people find their voice and tell their story.