Alumni Stories

Alda Santana's transformative journey from a novice health educator to a confident facilitator and trainer is a testament to the power of continuous learning and community support. Inspired by an impactful training session led by Stephanie, Alda pursued the Facilitation Certification through Voltage Control. This certification not only equipped her with essential skills but also reignited her passion for educating, facilitating, and training. Alda highlights the importance of trust, community, and understanding one's "why" in effective facilitation. Her story underscores that facilitation is an art of continuous growth and self-discovery, fostering connections and inspiring change.

Discover how a designer's passion for collaboration evolved into a mastery of facilitation in "The Unexpected Journey." Initially focused on design, Jim’s career took a transformative turn towards facilitation during a pivotal project at LexisNexis. This experience sparked a deeper engagement with facilitation techniques, leading to significant roles at Citrix and Mural. The blog details Jim’s journey of learning and growth, culminating in a certification in facilitation, and highlights the profound impact of structured facilitation on professional development and collaborative innovation. This odyssey not only enhanced Jim's skills but also broadened their influence in the field of collaborative design and facilitation.

In this alumni story, Trudy Townsend shares her transformative journey. Discover Trudy's compelling narrative from her initial role at the Wasco County Commission on Children and Families to becoming a passionate advocate for trauma-informed care and a certified facilitator. Learn how her experiences in diverse positions, including working on a Safe Schools Healthy Students federal grant and a health insurance plan's coordinated care organization, honed her skills in facilitation, strategic planning, and community collaboration. Trudy's story is a testament to the power of facilitation in driving meaningful change and building stronger, more connected communities.

In this post Neallie reflects on the importance of adaptability and empathy in professional settings. Neallie Kani shares a personal experience of reaching out to quieter team members, which led to valuable insights and built trust within the team. Kani emphasizes the importance of self-reflection, understanding team dynamics, and adapting communication styles for effective leadership. The post advocates for continuous learning in facilitation, highlighting Kani's journey with Voltage Control and the impact of facilitation skills beyond professional life. Kani concludes by echoing Priya Parker's words on the significance of how we gather, stressing the opportunity each interaction presents to shape our world.

"Designing Change" by JJ Rogers delves into the transformative world of facilitation. From a design consultancy to leading a product design team, Rogers uncovers how facilitation transcends mere activities, emerging as a key to collaboration and potential. The book highlights the crucial influence of the Voltage Control community on Rogers' career, detailing how this engagement profoundly altered their leadership and teamwork strategies. It's a tale of personal growth and professional evolution, showcasing facilitation's impact in the corporate landscape.

Susan Golab Wilson's blog post details a transformative facilitation experience. Confronted with lackluster engagement, she transitioned to a standing meeting around a SMART board, invigorating team interaction and collaboration. This approach allowed the group to collectively identify crucial project elements, fostering a co-created solution that capitalized on individual strengths and amplified lesser-heard perspectives. This success reignited Susan's passion for facilitation, bolstering her confidence and preparing her to tackle future challenges with renewed vigor and enthusiasm.