ABOUT
Cultivating Community
Guiding Transformation
Amplifying Impact
HELLO ChangeLeader!
I'm Dana Pearlman
Catalyzing Change Leaders: Cultivating Community, Amplifying Impact and Sparking Values-Centered Systems Change.
I'm passionate about guiding transformative change in communities and organizations through collaboration and co-design. As a systems change designer, facilitator, and catalyst, I guide initiatives that empower individuals, teams, and organizations to innovate and thrive.
From 1:1 mentoring sessions to large-scale systemic transformations in groups, my background spans various levels of engagement, consistently guiding positive change. In my learning engagements, I guide diverse groups towards envisioning and implementing their visions for a brighter future that align with their deepest values.
Through my leadership workshops, trainings and facilitated engagements, I equip participants with skills in dialogue, systems thinking, navigating complexity and innovative problem-solving. I'm committed to fostering inclusive environments that values and celebrates diverse perspectives and adeptly navigating conflicts to fuel constructive change.
Drawing upon a rich toolkit of frameworks and methodologies, I collaborate with stakeholders across sectors to co-create impactful pathways towards shared visions. Beyond my facilitation work, I speak at conferences, where I champion co-creation and leadership development and tap into the collective wisdom that resides within community. I also spearhead education programs and change labs, serving as both lead facilitator and program designer.
With academic roots in psychology, strategic leadership for sustainability, anthropology, complexity theory, systems thinking, and community engagement, I bring a holistic and informed approach to my practice, grounded in theory and enriched by experiential approaches.
How it all started...
From Seeker to Systems Change Facilitator: A Journey of Transformation and Community-Inspired Change
Back in 2008, I found myself longing to contribute to positive change in the world. That desire led me on a journey of exploration, searching for ways to make a meaningful impact. It was during this search that I stumbled upon a graduate program in Sweden that piqued my interest. With a lot of uncertainty (and resistance), I embarked on a life-changing adventure.
From 2010 to 2011, I immersed myself in a master's degree program in strategic leadership towards sustainability. Little did I know, this decision would shape the course of my life in profound ways. Surrounded by 60 change leaders from 30 different countries for a year long immersion, I found myself in an environment brimming with diversity, passion, and possibility -- and other change leaders that knew a brighter future was possible.
Those transformative months were a whirlwind of discovery and growth. Working closely with my peers, we delved into participatory methodologies, honed the art of facilitation, and learned to host conversations that truly mattered. But beyond the academic lessons, it was the connections forged and the stories shared that left an indelible mark on my soul.
In the company of these extraordinary individuals, I witnessed the power of collective action and the immense potential within each of us to effect change.
It was a humbling experience—one that opened my eyes to the endless possibilities of community-driven progress.
Fast forward to today, and I find myself deeply privileged to pay forward the lessons learned on that journey. Now, I devote my days to supporting groups eager to ignite change within their communities. Through facilitation and the design of transformative learning programs, I strive to empower others to tap into their collective wisdom, to unearth solutions to their most pressing challenges, and to envision the futures they aspire to build. I nurture a community of change leaders so that they can amplify their impact meaningfully and in connection to other heart centered leaders. It is more fun that way!
My journey from seeker to facilitator is a testament to the transformative power of shared experiences and the profound impact of community-driven change. And as I continue on this path, I am reminded every day of the boundless potential that lies within each of us to create a better world, together.
Our VALUES are deeply rooted in
Community + Networks of Change Leaders: We believe in the power of connectedness and the strength that comes from diverse communities and networks collaborating towards common goals.
Building Leaderful Communities: We foster and celebrate visionary leadership that inspires positive change and empowers others to take action, and equipping as many leaders as possible to create positive impact.
Collaboration: We recognize that meaningful impact is achieved through collective effort, collaboration, and partnership across diverse stakeholders.
Anti-racism: We are committed to actively challenging and dismantling systemic racism and inequities in all forms, fostering an inclusive environment where everyone is valued and respected.
Life-Long Learning in Systems Thinking, Participatory Leadership, Systems Change: We embrace continuous learning and growth, promoting the development of critical skills such as systems thinking, participatory leadership, and driving systemic change.
Compassion: We approach our work with empathy, kindness, and a deep understanding of the human experience, striving to create spaces that are supportive, inclusive, and nurturing for all.
Our Purpose is dedicated to empowering visionary leaders who aspire to create a more equitable and flourishing world.
We illuminate leadership pathways for diverse change leaders by providing comprehensive support through the ChangeLeaders Network, a dynamic ecosystem designed to:
-Foster vibrant communities of learning and innovation,
-Offer facilitated learning programs in systems thinking, participatory leadership, and navigating complexity and uncertainty,
-Amplify impact offering Speaker Spotlights to highlight change leader wisdom, creating more visibility for a brighter future,
-Deliver essential resources, including connections to like-minded changemakers, -immersive learning programs curated for real-world impact, and a platform to spotlight transformative work, and
-Spark inspiration.
We equip leaders with the tools and insights necessary to translate their deepest values into impactful action. Recognizing the transformative journey of change leaders, we are steadfast in our belief in change leaders' capacity to effect positive change. Our commitment is unwavering: we offer personalized guidance and cultivate a nurturing community where change leaders can learn, connect, and flourish. Together, we will transform aspirations for a better future into tangible realities, leaving a lasting imprint on the world.
Get results like these
Dana is a tremendous force who excels in connecting others more deeply to themselves and to others. She has been an invaluable advisor, mentor and colleague over the past few years. Her insights into and support with the Dalai Lama Fellows' Ethical Leadership curriculum have been deeply meaningful. Dana can distill her wisdom nonverbally and briefly, and also in great detail--we are lucky to be working with her.
Bidisha Banerjee,
Director of Dalai Lama Fellows
As the Academy Director for The Bold Academy, a month-long accelerator designed to help individuals reach their full personal and professional potential, Dana Pearlman was an incredible mentor, friend, and coworker. She designed the month-long curriculum, hosted every session and welcomed every visiting mentor, and set the tone for both our team and all of the participants in the program: a culture that was open, honest, communicative, collaborative, and productive. She was the grounding force for our community of thirty people living together, and was fully present at all times. She was always there for people when they wanted one on one guidance from her.
Working with Dana has been an incredible experience. I recommend her as a coworker and director -- she is an amazing person!
Cloe Shasha Brooks
Curator at TED
I met Dana at my very first facilitation training―the Art of Participatory Leadership and Social Innovation―back in 2012 and since then her impact on my practice has been hard to overestimate. A world-class facilitator and systems transformation practitioner, a wise and gentle mentor, and a deeply caring human being, Dana has been a source of knowledge, inspiration, and support for those lucky to know her and experience her teaching and facilitation. In recent years, I have wished Dana offered more opportunities to learn from her that are open to the public, and I am very excited to see that a new learning opportunity is finally on the horizon. To all my friends seeking to build or evolve their understanding of participatory process design and grow their facilitation capacity: check out Dana's ChangeMakers Facilitator Academy and enjoy the support of Dana's powerful space.
Fyodor Ovchinnikov,
Co-Founder & Director, Evolutionary Futures Lab
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