Meet Dr. Chérie Carter-Scott
For more than five decades, Dr. Chérie Carter-Scott has shaped the field of coaching, earning global recognition as “The Mother of Coaching.” In 1974, she founded MMS Worldwide Institute, the world’s first coach training organization, setting the foundation for a profession that now touches millions worldwide. Her bestselling book, If Life Is a Game, These Are the Rules, became a #1 New York Times bestseller, translated into 40 languages and selling over five million copies. Over the years, she has trained thousands of coaches and consulted with Fortune 500 companies, the United Nations, MGM Resorts, Cigna Healthcare, and Burger King. She has authored 20 published titles, produced the LEAP coaching documentary, and written the The Workshop: A Dress Rehearsal for Life! Musical. Her legacy is defined by her lifelong mission: empowering individuals and organizations to thrive with confidence, and purpose.
Beginnings of a Lifelong Journey
Dr. Chérie Carter-Scott’s journey began in New York, where her early years were shaped by curiosity, reflection, and resilience. Growing up in a household challenged by alcoholism, she confronted difficult realities at a young age. Instead of being defined by them, she chose to ask deeper questions: Who am I? What can I contribute? Where do I belong? Her academic path reflected this search for meaning.
She once reflected, “The most important aspect of goal achievement is the way you treat yourself in the process of going for what you want.”
After attending the Convent of the Sacred Heart in New York City, she pursued studies at Bradford College in Massachusetts, then at the University of Dijon in France. Immersed in French language and literature, she gained a multicultural perspective that would later influence her global coaching career. She went on to the University of Denver for her bachelor’s degree in theater arts and education, and eventually completed both an M.A. and a Ph.D. in Human and Organizational Development from Fielding Graduate University. However, education was not just about degrees for Dr. Chérie. It was about cultivating discipline, nurturing her innate gifts, and preparing for a life of service.
A Defining Loss and a Wake-Up Call
At just 20 years old, Dr. Chérie experienced a profound loss, the death of her mother. It was a turning point that left her orphaned and facing the world on her own. This heartbreak could have been paralyzing, but instead, it became her catalyst. She realized her future was in her own hands, and whatever she made of her life would be up to her. In her own words, she described receiving what she calls “Messages”, inner imperatives that provided direction without explanation.
Reflecting on her life purpose at just 25 years old, she received a clear message: “To be a catalyst supporting people’s transformation from the inside out.”
The Birth of Coaching: Building the MMS Worldwide Institute
The year was 1974 in San Francisco when a colleague, Lloyd, asked her for help with his business. She admitted she didn’t have the answers for him, but surprisingly, that was exactly what he needed. Instead of giving advice, she listened, asked questions, and encouraged him to uncover his own solutions. That single encounter marked the birth of a profession.
On October 15, 1974, coaching as we know it today was officially born. What began as an experimental approach turned into the foundation of an entirely new industry. Over time, she would come to be known around the world as “The Mother of Coaching.” Dr. Chérie later recalled predicting that one day coaching would become a recognized profession. Building on this spark, she founded MMS Worldwide Institute, the world’s first coach training organization. She designed the Inner Negotiation Workshop and developed training programs rooted in behavioral science and human potential. Her curriculum went beyond techniques like coaching competencies, stress management, and leadership. It emphasized self-awareness and personal mastery, reminding participants of her core belief: “Imagine loving the work you do again and empowered to make a difference?” From its beginnings in San Francisco, the institute expanded to Europe, Asia, and beyond, creating a global movement.
From licensing coaches in Vietnam to training leaders in the Netherlands, Hungary, and Dubai, MMS grew into an international enterprise. Discover more here.
The Author Who Inspired Millions
Carter-Scott is a #1 New York Times bestselling author whose writing has reached readers around the world. If Life Is a Game, These Are the Rules was translated into 40 languages and sold millions of copies, catalyzing a broad conversation about the ten rules for being human. Her recent book, Life IS a Game: Life Lessons Learned Living the Rules for Being Human, tells the origin story of the coaching movement while paralleling her own path, and it continues the exploration she started decades earlier. Her bibliography spans personal growth, leadership, relationships, and professional practice.
Get your copy from Dr. Chérie Carter-Scott’s collection of books here.
Dr. Chérie reminds audiences, “Love yourself, trust your choices, and everything is possible.”
Among her most referenced titles are Transformational Life Coaching, often used as a core manual by practitioners, Negaholics: Stop Being Negative and Reclaim Your Happiness, If Success Is a Game, These Are the Rules, If Life Is a Game, These Are the Stories, If Love Is a Game, These Are the Rules, The Gift of Motherhood, The New Species, Become One, What Is Your Message?, If High School Is a Game, Here’s How to Break the Rules, Negaholics No More, and The Corporate Negaholic, along with the companion If Life Is a Game, These Are the Rules card deck. In total, she has authored twenty published titles across her career. Her writing invites readers to pair ambition with self-regard.
The Mother of Coaching: Services that Shaped an Industry
From the moment she facilitated her first coaching session in 1974, Dr. Chérie became known as the Mother of Coaching. Her groundbreaking approach to transformation did not simply create a profession, it inspired a global movement that continues to this day. For more than five decades, she has guided individuals, couples, executives, and organizations through transitions with a blend of honesty, compassion, and unparalleled insight. As an executive coach, she works with leaders navigating the pressures of succession, the challenges of C-suite promotion, or the gap between technical brilliance and human connection. As a life coach, she has supported entrepreneurs, artists, parents, and professionals in clarifying vision, dismantling obstacles, and aligning their daily choices with their authentic purpose. As a relationship coach, her wisdom brought to life in If Love Is a Game, These Are the Rules has helped couples rediscover intimacy, turn breakdowns into breakthroughs, and create sustainable partnerships.
Her coaching philosophy is rooted in a powerful truth: “Your relationship with yourself is the central template from which your personal destiny manifests.”
Whether working with a CEO, a couple, or a young professional seeking clarity, she brings people back to their center, reminding them that fulfillment begins within. Explore more here.
Corporate Consulting: Redesigning Organizations from the Inside Out
Dr. Chérie’s work has never been limited to individuals. As a consultant, she has transformed the way corporations approach change. Her trademarked Employee Owned Change (EOC) model is more than a management tool, it’s a philosophy that transforms resistance into responsibility and disengagement into authentic buy-in. For over four decades, entrepreneurs, Fortune 500 companies, and international institutions have sought her expertise to reimagine culture, strengthen leadership, and build organizations that thrive through change. From mergers to globalization, she has helped executives design strategies where employees co-create outcomes instead of merely following directives.
As she reflects, “A healthy organization has a strong sense of identity, mission, and purpose, and can adapt constructively to change.” Dr. Chérie doesn’t just teach change management; she embodies it by showing that culture is built one conversation, one commitment, and one shared goal at a time.
Keynote Speaking: Inspiring Change Across Continents
Few voices in personal and professional growth command as much respect as Dr. Chérie Carter-Scott’s. A natural storyteller, she steps on stage with lived wisdom from coaching, consulting, and teaching on five continents. Her presence is both commanding and warm, weaving research, case studies, and humor into messages that linger long after the applause. Her signature keynotes on topics from transformational leadership, authentic love to managing negativity and navigating change are more than speeches; they are immersive experiences. In If Life Is a Game, These Are the Rules, she translates ten universal truths into practical tools for living. In Passionate Leadership: The Future Is Now, she challenges leaders to embrace responsibility and lead with integrity. In Negaholics, she equips organizations to turn pressure into performance.
she reminds audiences, “Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life.”
Every keynote blends inspiration with action. Participants don’t just listen; they engage, reflect, and leave with strategies they can apply immediately. From Fortune 500 boardrooms to global conferences, Dr. Chérie captivates with her gift for turning complexity into clarity, helping people laugh, reflect, and ultimately embrace empowerment. Explore more here.
Recognition and Media Presence
Dr. Chérie Carter-Scott’s voice has reached millions through television, print, and film. Her breakthrough moment came with Oprah Winfrey, where she appeared multiple times, first introducing Negaholics: How to Overcome Negativity and Turn Your Life Around and later coaching audience members live during Change Your Life TV. Oprah turned an entire episode over to her expertise, showcasing her ability to transform lives in real time.
Her visibility expanded globally through appearances on The Today Show, CNN, The O’Reilly Factor, The Other Half, Sally Jessy Raphael, Jenny Jones, and countless other national and international programs. Trained in media early in her career, she brought professionalism and warmth to every interview, making her a trusted personality for audiences in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. International media tours in China, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, Finland, and beyond amplified her reputation as not only the Mother of Coaching but also a thought leader whose insights cross cultures. From stage to screen, she has demonstrated that transformation is not bound by geography, it is a universal human need.
Legacy and Continuing Impact
In 2024, MMS Worldwide Institute celebrated its 50th anniversary with an international gathering in Thailand. Coaches from around the world came together to honor Dr. Chérie’s pioneering contributions and the countless lives touched by her work. What began with a single coaching session in 1974 has grown into a worldwide movement, shaping industries, transforming organizations, and empowering individuals to live authentically.
At the heart of this movement is her enduring philosophy: there are no mistakes, only lessons. She teaches that growth comes from treating ourselves with compassion while striving toward our goals. Her reminder, “Love yourself, trust your choices, and everything is possible,” captures the essence of her work. By blending the rigor of organizational development with the intuition of inner guidance, she has distilled decades of wisdom into timeless principles.
Looking Ahead: More Than a Mission, It’s a Movement
Looking ahead, Dr. Chérie continues to lead MMS Worldwide Institute, license programs, and mentor new generations of coaches. Her invitation to students reflects her ethos: “Start with Level 1 to explore the work. If you fall in love with it, continue to Level 2.” Across her fifty-plus year journey, one constant remains: the human being at the center. Whether guiding a CEO through succession, helping a team embrace shared ownership, or supporting a couple in rebuilding trust, she restores agency and accountability not through pressure, but through presence and practice.
Today, while training new generations of coaches, Dr. Chérie stays rooted in her mission. “Your relationship with yourself is the central template from which your personal destiny manifests,” she writes. Her legacy is not confined to books or institutions, it lives in the ripple effect of every individual she has empowered to step into their best self.
Empowering Lessons from the Path of Dr. Chérie Carter
- “Lead with authenticity. Transformation begins when leaders align actions with values.”
- “Listen deeply. True coaching is about drawing out truth, not providing ready answers.”
- “The most important aspect of goal achievement is the way you treat yourself in the process of going for what you want.”
- “Embrace change. Life’s challenges are not obstacles but invitations to growth.”
Connect with Dr. Chérie Carter-Scott
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drcheriecarterscott/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drcherie/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dr.CherieCarterScottMCC/
Website: https://www.drcherie.com/
Editorial Note: A Voice for Authentic Leadership
Dr. Chérie Carter-Scott’s work reminds us that leadership is not about control, but about cultivating trust, clarity, and purpose. As a coach, consultant, and author, she has spent decades guiding leaders and teams to see change not as disruption, but as transformation.
From strengthening organizational culture to mentoring individuals, Dr. Chérie has built more than programs, she has inspired a philosophy of living and leading with integrity. Her message is clear: a healthy organization, like a fulfilled life, begins with each choice, each conversation, and each commitment.
Her invitation is timeless: If culture begins with us, what will you choose to create today?
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