Our Mission
The Iron Network helps people navigate life and work with clarity and confidence, build meaningful relationships, and lead effectively.
We combine decades of experience in leadership, government, public affairs, coaching, and education with a creative, hands-on approach to learning. Grounded in curiosity, trust, and generosity, our work connects fresh perspectives with practical skills people can use.
Founded to support women, we welcome people of all genders through our coaching and team facilitation.
Our Story
“Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to work alongside remarkable women. I learned so much simply by being in the room—watching them lead, asking questions, and having honest conversations about the challenges we faced. Their generosity made a difference, and I wanted to pass that on.
I founded The Iron Network in 2022, at a time when the pandemic had left many of us missing those opportunities to connect. The idea was simple: bring women together to share what they know, learn something new, and build relationships along the way.
What began with women in politics and public service has grown across sectors and generations. Our work has grown too, through individual coaching and team facilitation.
I’m delighted to work alongside Steffi Retzlaff, Partner at The Iron Network. A coach, educator, and facilitator, Steffi shares my belief that learning should be practical, engaging, and sometimes a little unexpected. She brings creativity, a deep understanding of how people learn and connect, and a sense of fun that I love.
Together, we’re building on what has always mattered to me: good conversations, generous people, and opportunities to learn from one another. Sometimes that means working through a career decision. Sometimes it means helping a team work through a difficult conversation. And sometimes it means trying improv with a roomful of women—and discovering you’re capable of more than you thought.”
Frédérique Tsai-Klassen
Founder and CEO
OUR TEAMFrédérique
Tsai-Klassen
With 30 years in government, politics, and public affairs, Frédérique brings more than 30 years of experience across politics, public service, international affairs, and the private sector. She is also a Partner at Prospectus Associates and Co-Founder of The Power Shift.
Through The Iron Network, Frédérique draws on that experience to coach individuals through career decisions and transitions, and help teams strengthen communication, relationships, and leadership. Her approach is warm, candid, and practical, informed by years of advising leaders, building teams, and navigating complex workplaces.
Frédérique holds a Bachelors in Political Science and a Masters in Public Administration. She works in English and French.
OUR TEAMSteffi Retzlaff
Steffi is a coach, educator, and organizational leader with more than 25 years of experience across universities, cultural institutions, and the private sector in Canada and Germany. Her career spans academia, business consulting, and international cultural organizations, giving her first-hand insight into leading teams and navigating professional transitions.
Through The Iron Network, Steffi helps individuals recognize their strengths, clarify their goals, and prepare for what comes next. She brings a creative, hands-on approach to workshops and team facilitation, helping people explore how they communicate, build trust, and work together. Her approach combines thoughtful reflection with practical learning, encouraging people to lead with presence, awareness, and authenticity.
Steffi holds a doctorate in English Applied Linguistics and Critical Discourse Studies and works in English and German.