Michelle Holliday

I am a consultant, facilitator, author and researcher. My work centers around “thrivability” — a set of perspectives and practices based on a view of organizations and communities as dynamic, self-organizing living systems. With this understanding, we recognize that we can create the fertile conditions for life to thrive at every level – for individuals, for organizations as living ecosystems, for customers, community and biosphere. To that end, I bring people together and help them discover ways they can feel more alive, connect more meaningfully with each other, and serve life more powerfully and effectively through their collective action. In other words, I invite people into the informed intention and practice of stewarding life. In my view, nothing could be more important. My research, perspectives and practical experience are brought together in the highly acclaimed book, The Age of Thrivability: Vital Perspectives and Practices for a Better World, as well as in a popular TEDx talk and an online slideshow with close to 65,000 views. I also publish reflections regularly in my blog, Thoughts on Thrivability, and on social media. With a Master’s Degree in International Marketing and a Bachelor’s Degree in Russian Studies, I bring a diverse experience base to this work. I spent the first part of my career in brand strategy, working internationally for Coca-Cola and H.J. Heinz. The second part of my career focused on employee engagement, consulting for a range of organizations in Washington, DC. More recently, as part of the global Art of Hosting community of practice, I’ve designed and hosted hundreds of transformative conversations for clients and the public, from 5 to 500 people. Now, after living in 19 cities, including Moscow, London, Paris, New York and a small town in Scotland, I combine brand strategy, employee engagement, hosting and more in my home base of Montréal and around the world.
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Generative Journalism

How can the stories we tell about our communities and fellow community members - and the process by which we gather stories - serve to nurture their growth and aspirations while calling forth local support and connectivity? This reflection...