Charley “Sparkle” Lapomardo (they/them) is a dynamic facilitator and user experience researcher committed to helping people be their best selves, both at work and in life. With five years of experience as a Community Culture Manager and User Researcher at Wayfair, Charley combines creativity with strategic insight to design impactful experiences.  They hold a BBA […]

Tim Jones is a master storyteller and connector of people, leveraging his twenty years of experience in both for-profit and non-profit sectors to cultivate communities of belonging. As the Executive Director of Longer Tables, a Denver-based non-profit, Tim creates spaces of connection through large-scale community table events and consulting services. His unique approach combines storytelling […]

Building professional relationships can often feel like navigating a minefield of social awkwardness. We’ve all been there: standing on the periphery of a conference, clutching a drink, and feeling like a wallflower. Initiating a conversation with strangers can be daunting, and the initial awkwardness can sometimes be enough to make you want to retreat to […]

Ben Swire, a co-founder of Make Believe Works, stands out as an innovative force in the design and writing communities. As a former Design Lead at IDEO, Ben has harnessed his extensive expertise in design thinking, marketing, psychology, literature, and philosophy to reshape how people perceive and interact with the world.  His award-winning work has […]

Linda Brandt, MPH (she/her), is a name synonymous with transformative community engagement and leadership. As the founder and co-organizer of Lean In Together MSP, Linda has spearheaded an incredible journey of growth and empowerment that stretches across the globe.  Building Global Networks With an illustrious career that combines public health advocacy and community development, Linda’s […]

Brian Helfman, Chief Experience Officer at Third Nature, is a visionary in crafting experiences that invigorate and inspire. With a decade of expertise as an entrepreneur, experience designer, facilitator, and coach, Brian specializes in creating dynamic events and workshops that promote clarity, creativity, and connection.  His approach revolves around the philosophy of making life more […]

Navigating the professional world requires more than just expertise in your field; it demands an ability to connect with others. This is especially true when it comes to the often-dreaded task of cold calling. However, there’s a transformative approach that can turn these chilly interactions into warm, engaging opportunities for growth. Turning Cold Calls into […]

Have you ever been invited to a friend’s or co worker’s home for dinner and brought something that their partner is allergic to after your friend or coworker asked you to bring anything but that specific thing? It was an innocent mistake, but it could be viewed as a disrespectful act, or could even be […]

Let’s face it, the mere thought of reaching out to someone you haven’t spoken to in ages can feel like deciding to jump out of a perfectly good airplane—exciting to some, downright terrifying to others. This especially rings true in a world where “I’ll text you!” often fades into the digital abyss, only to resurface […]

Science fiction novelist, Patrick Rothfuss, wrote “as names have power, words have power. Words can light fires in the minds of men. Words can wring tears from the hardest hearts. There are seven words that will make a person love you. There are ten words that will break a strong man’s will. But a word […]