Theodora started her career in higher education administration and teaching and transferred to corporate training. After working as a government contractor for several years, she jumped into federal service, where she spearheaded initiatives and led training and leadership development teams. She most recently led an Internal Coaching Program at a U.S. federal agency with the goal of transforming the culture of the agency to one where more listening and open communication occurs. This Coaching Program has been honored with two Multinational awards, “Excellence in Practice Award” from the Association for Talent Development in 2018 and Prism Finalist from the International Coach Federation in 2019.
Dr. Fitzsimmons completed her certification in professional coaching from the Institute of Professional Excellence in Coaching in 2014. She has also completed additional coach certifications from the NeuroLeadership Institute, Success Unlimited Network, and ACT Government Services. She is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) through the International Coaching Federation (ICF). She earned her EMCC Global Team Coaching Individual Accreditation (ITCA) and professional designation at the practitioner level after completing the Global Team Coaching Institute training with Dr. David Clutterbuck in 2021.
Her academic achievements include, PhD in Training and Performance Improvement, Summa Cum Laude, Capella University, 2007; Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, 1995; Bachelor of Arts in Business and Management, University of Maryland University College, 1984; Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, University of Maryland University College, 1982. She has also completed a diploma program from the Coach Supervision Academy in 2019 and is a coaching supervisor. Dr. Fitzsimmons submitted her agency for two International Awards, and received the Excellence in Practice Award from the Association for Talent Development in 2018 and was a Finalist for the Prism Award from the International Coaching Federation in 2019.
Co-Author of Chapter in a book on Coaching Supervision in the Americas. Internal Coaching Supervision: Insights into Two U.S. – based Cases and Perspectives from a European Expert (to be published in September 2022 by Routledge)
Co-Author of book, Coaching in Government: Stories and Tips for Coaching Professionals, (Published by Routledge in December 2022)