about us

We move groups from conflict, confusion and fear of change to creativity, consensus and commitment.

Our Mission

Our mission is to facilitate experiences that energize groups to move forward together for what matters, and to support leaders on journeys of natural growth and transformation.

Our Values

We strive to go above and beyond for our clients no matter the challenge. We aim to deliver our very best work every single day across our services.

Sharon Ryan, Founder

I am a facilitator and adult learning coach with a passion for supporting teams and leaders to achieve their life-affirming purpose. As a learning coach, I aspire to create and facilitate meaningful learning and development journeys for self-awareness, relationship building, storytelling, belonging and resilience.  As a facilitator, my passion is to design and lead processes that draw out diverse perspectives, and help groups learn, make decisions, develop plans and achieve shared goals, together.  In both roles, I support people who are exploring ways to collectively address the challenges and challenging world of today.

 

My toolbox is diverse. I’m a Certified Tetramap® practitioner, an Endorsed Facilitator with the International Association of Facilitators, and a member of the US-based ToP Network.  I completed my training with ICA Associates in Canada and the ToP Network in the USA, both leaders in developing and delivering facilitation training.

Facilitation Approach & Philosophy

As a facilitator, I draw mainly on Technology of Participation® (ToP) approaches and tools, which were pioneered by the Institute of Cultural Affairs and have been used for more than 50 years in 40 countries to build inclusive, sustainable cultures of participation. This proven system of methods and tools can be adapted and applied to help all kinds of groups accomplish a wide variety of tasks together.

 

ToP’s core values, which ground my facilitation practice are:

  • inclusive participation
  • teamwork and collaboration
  • individual and group creativity
  • commitment, ownership and action
  • and reflection and learning

Global Perspective

For more than 20 years, I worked globally in senior leadership roles in strategy, communications and education for organizations such as the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama, Charles Darwin Foundation for the Galapagos Islands and the American Chamber of Commerce in Russia. I have a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Public Relations, and a Master of Environmental Education and Communications. These experiences inform the insights and expertise I offer teams and organizations looking to create lasting, transformative change.

Dawn Newman, Associate

Dawn is a Certified ToP® Facilitator and Trainer specializing in participatory strategic planning, consensus building, community building and leadership development. She develops collaborative processes and trainings to enable groups to transform input and conversation into shared decision, working agreements and focused action.  Dawn is a credible facilitator and leader trained to empower people and build trust through focused dialogue, honoring perspectives and ensuring respect. Utilizing proven methods that motivate groups, build consensus, manage dysfunction, maintain focus, generate ownership, and inspire to action. Her facilitation, training and consulting has focused on applications in Indian Country, nonprofit, and corporate cultures to set the course for their future. She is an enrolled member of Ho-Chunk Nation and has worked with Indian Communities and Nations for 30 years. She retired from University of Minnesota Extension as an American Indian Leadership and Civic Engagement Educator. She holds an MA in Education from Roosevelt University, Chicago IL and BA in Business from Elmhurst College, Elmhurst IL. 

 

Luneer’s Regenerative Leadership Series was just what I needed: A new way to think about how to work with and cultivate the diverse talents and perspectives present on my team. I found the nature-inspired perspective presented in this series to be so compatible with how I want to work with my colleagues:  in an ecosystem of mutual respect that evolves over time. Given the level of training that I received and quality of the sessions, I found this series to be an excellent value! I apply the perspective daily in my work (and home) life!

Christine Angelini, Director

Center for Coastal Solutions, University of Florida