Althea Banda-Hansmann
Althea Banda-Hansmann is a globally recognised executive coach who blends inclusive leadership, contemplative wisdom, neuroscience and somatic intelligence to spark transformative growth. Over three decades and across four continents, she has guided executives, change agents, public-sector innovators and faith-based leaders from intention to grounded, courageous, system-shifting action.
South African-born Althea helps clients integrate the thinking, feeling, acting, and being dimensions of leadership, enabling them to lead with integrity amid ever-increasing change. Her coaching invites leaders to align strategy with purpose, adapt their leadership style to context and culture, cultivate resilient nervous systems and navigate complex power dynamics with trauma-informed insight—unlocking cultures where people, teams and communities flourish.
Althea’s approach energises C-suite leaders, change agents, transitioning professionals, and those facing grief or loss—championing their growth and well-being as they become the change they long for.
Credentials
- BA in Psychology & Politics – Occidental College, Los Angeles
- Course in Adult Learning – University of the Western Cape
- Course in Crisis & Trauma Counselling – South African College of Applied Psychology
- Building Personal & Professional Competence in a Multicultural Society – Georgetown University
- Race, Diversity & Transformation Facilitation – Wits Institute for Cultural & Diversity Studies
- Grief Coaching · Coaching with the Enneagram · Transactional Analysis
- Certified with Time to Think® – Certified Coach, Facilitator & Consultant; Neurozone® – Certified Coach; Enneagram in Business – Certified Coach; and Heartstyles® – Accredited Coach
- Professional memberships include Time to Think South Africa · Coaches & Mentors of South Africa (COMENSA) · Spiritual Directors International · Heartstyles Academy
- Clients include: BP Southern Africa · Engen · Sasol · Shell SA · Total SA · Old Mutual · Coronation Fund Managers · Allan Gray · Santam · Sanlam · Swiss Re · World Vision · Yum Group · University of Oregon · Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation · Bold Bean Coffee Roasters
Specialisations
- Leadership & Career Growth: Leadership Development | Team Coaching | Career Development | Transition Coaching | Time to Think Coaching | Graduate Coaching
- Inclusive Culture & Antiracism: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) | Antiracism & Racial Literacy | Intercultural Sensitivity
- Contemplative Coaching: Mindfulness Coaching | Spiritual Coaching
- Personal Resilience & Life Transitions: Grief, Loss & Meaning-Making | Wellness Coaching | Life Coaching
Aesha Jadhav: Enterprise Business Manager, An organisation in the top 10 on the Forbes List (verified owner) –
I was introduced to Althea in November 2021, at a point in my career where I was seeking to lead authentically. I had 2 decades of professional experience under my belt, and a bumpy journey onto the corporate ladder that needed a revamp of perspective from someone who gets it.
Althea is a soul coach, and there are not many out there with this blend of corporate experience, empathy, psychology, spirituality, mindfulness, humility, knowledge and wisdom (the list is longer). She addresses the unsaid words, the untold stories, the hidden smiles, the restrained behaviours, all very skilfully and with a lot of humility. She has a book, a framework, a practice, a quote, a poem, a reference for everything. She did not just talk me into going inside, but also enabled me with material that I could use at my own pace to analyse, feel, soul-search my way through my journey. Thank you, Althea, you have been an absolute blessing and a door opener to a world, I am just discovering at 40! 🙂
Mandy Todd, Executive People Culture Leader, EOH (verified owner) –
I was very fortunate to be afforded the opportunity by my company to work with Althea as my Executive Coach. As with all initial coaching sessions, one often enters these with trepidation, but from the onset, I felt very comfortable communicating with Althea. Althea has a gentle and humble approach which puts you completely at ease. I found her coaching style to be very effective at getting me to truly think and consider where I was at. Althea created a beautiful space, despite the sessions being done online, where I could be vulnerable and emotional, without ever doubting her integrity. Her knowledge on all things leadership is so broad and deep rooted, that at times I felt as though I was learning from her especially through the readings and ‘homework’ I was given. Many of these I have kept in my stash as I know I’ll use these tools throughout my life, both in my career and in my personal life.
Althea for me is a ‘one in a million’ Executive Coach and I’m very grateful that I was able to spend time in her presence.
Ayanda Nogantshi, Head: People Operations at Allan Gray (verified owner) –
Althea is a jewel to me. She helped me beyond words, creating a safe, and affirming space, without a feeling of being rushed. To be open to whatever I was feeling, and to challenge it, and to face up to the truth. I felt empowered every time I left our sessions. I felt like nothing was impossible. I ultimately made me realise that no matter what happens, I will always be ok. Difficult situations will not break me. She has an aura and an energy about her that makes it so easy to open up. I found myself sharing things I had no intention of sharing. And feeling great about it. She coached me into a human that is kind to herself, and her identity.