Cristina Madeira

Cristina Madeira is a Human Skills Strategist, Executive & Team Coach, and Leadership Faculty with more than 28 years of international experience in human capital development. She began leading a big team with 24 years old and has since broken barrier, becoming the first Hotel Coach to bring coaching into hospitality and one of the first independent coaches to work directly with major corporations.
She has an extensive cross-cultural expertise gained across UK, Germany, Canada, USA, France, Spain, South America, Nordic countries, Asia and the Middle East.
Guided by a pioneer spirit and two principles: “Everything is impossible until it’s imagined and done” and “Worse than not having ideas is not even knowing that they exist, Cristina has consistently challenged outdated leadership norms. She believes leadership is not only about results but about evolving humanity, where kindness, empathy, courage, and psychological safety drive true impact.
She is a Professional Certified Coach (ICF), Certified Team Coach, Senior Mentor (EMCC Global), and holds advanced certifications in Systemic Coaching, Emotional Intelligence, Physical Intelligence, and NLP. Cristina is co-author of two pioneering books: one on Group & Team Coaching and The Power of Mentoring. She serves as Advisory Board Member of ICF Portugal, was Vice-President of its Chapter, and is a founding member of EMCC Portugal.
For the past 8 years, Cristina has led a Solidarity Coaching project, coordinating 25–30 coaches in partnership with non-profits to support around 50 families each year. These families often face difficult social and financial conditions, and through this initiative, they gain access to coaching tools that foster resilience, hope, and pathways toward sustainable change in their lives.
Today, through her Humanship™ approach, Cristina integrates systemic intelligence, wellbeing, and reflective leadership, inspiring executives and teams worldwide to lead with depth, authenticity, and purpose. She is currently about to publish a pioneering book for adults in transition into adulthood itself, a mirror for those who seek presence,

freedom, and truth in the sacred dance of life.

Cristina´s Driving Principles:
“I have never accepted the old belief that knowledge should be kept. What I know, I must share, so that the world evolves faster. I have never accepted impossibilities; each one was an invitation to pioneer.”
“Leadership is not about results or strategies. It is about humanship—truth, authenticity, and the courage to face real issues without sugarcoating. Professionals too often hide behind roles and façades, forgetting the essence of the human being they serve.”
“I have never accepted that people are bad by choice. Pain can numb kindness, but it cannot destroy it. ”
“The invisible always shapes the visible. It is kindness, empathy, courage, fear, and even pain that generate the outcomes we measure. True transformation begins in the inner world before it manifests in the outer one.”
“I do not believe age equals decline. My body is my first home, and when I honor it, I sustain the vitality to keep growing. I live by the principle that it is energy—not time—that defines the quality of our lives.”
“Humanity is in constant evolution, and some moments call us inward to grow. We are living one of those moments, an invitation to be alive with presence, compassion, and truth.”

I have not pursued global awards for myself; instead, my greatest recognition is seeing the leaders and teams I have coached achieve excellence, many later celebrated with awards of their own. My role has been that of a catalyst—guiding transformation, fostering resilience, and aligning purpose with measurable results. This experience gives me a unique perspective as a jury member: I can look beyond surface recognition and evaluate the invisible forces—authenticity, courage, empathy—that truly define lasting excellence.
I believe this lens makes me a trustworthy and impactful candidate for the Best Jury. 🙂

I trust that the Master Coach Awards, under Kaizen Torch, can become a landmark initiative—a pioneering platform to recognize and celebrate long-term impact for generations to come. In my view, the awards are not only about achievements in the moment; humanity is the true reward. By acknowledging the deeper transformation behind measurable outcomes, this initiative can inspire a new standard of leadership and coaching excellence, creating ripples that extend far beyond the individual recipient.

I believe my experience in catalyzing growth, combined with a global and human-centered perspective, positions me as a trustworthy and insightful juror for this inaugural celebration of enduring impact.

Kaizen Torch gives the award, and Humanity is the reward!