Alumni Stories

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.

Eddie Jjemba's post details his shift from aspiring Ugandan medical doctor to climate education advocate. His journey, from school conservation efforts to a Master's in Climate and Society at Columbia University, underscores the need to make scientific knowledge accessible. Eddie stresses culturally-sensitive facilitation, reflecting on his experiences across Africa and Europe. He credits facilitation courses for honing his skills and for the realization of a professional portfolio's importance, showcasing his strengths and development in facilitation.

Roselle's blog post narrates her evolution from a Manila-based leader to a global facilitator adept in managing diverse teams across continents and virtual platforms. She outlines the challenges of leading through cultural and digital shifts, emphasizing the significance of "unintentional facilitation." Roselle reflects on the benefits of formal training and tools like Liberating Structures and Mural, which have shaped her approach. She discusses the importance of certifications and mentorships, marking her transition from project management to becoming an empathetic mentor focused on inclusivity and effective outcomes. Her journey offers valuable insights for leaders and facilitators striving to transform meeting culture and enhance their leadership skills.

In a transformative journey spanning from Brazil to London, Vanessa navigated the complexities of an evolving artistic career deeply entrenched in experimental music and arts facilitation. Despite notable collaborations with international organizations, she felt disconnected from her artistic ethos in the fast-paced gig economy and institutional contexts. Her epiphany came after enrolling in Voltage Control’s Facilitation Certification, which prompted her to critically reassess her professional identity and career trajectory.

Dom Michalec's experience in startups led him to consulting, where he sought to understand and improve large team dynamics. His time with Voltage Control's certification program highlighted the power of facilitation and healthy conflict in fostering team growth. Now, as a certified facilitator, Dom leverages conflict as a tool for progress, emphasizing collective intelligence and collaboration in his workshops.

Phil Canning details his transformative journey from moving to North Carolina to becoming an "Innovation Manager" at Ally Financial. Initially uncertain, Phil found direction after being introduced to human-centered design principles from Stanford's d.school. This approach led to the creation of Ally's acclaimed savings tools, Buckets and Boosters. To spread this innovative mindset, Phil trained with Voltage Control’s Facilitation Certification program, enhancing his skills and expanding his network. Now, as a key facilitator at Ally, Phil drives innovation across teams, highlighting the profound impact of effective collaboration and his personal and professional growth through his experiences.