PRESENTERS (listed in alphabetical order)

GLORIA J. BURGESS, PhD - LEGACY LEADERSHIP: SERVICE FIRST
Gloria J. Burgess, PhD is Principal of Jazz, Inc., her consulting and coaching firm. Gloria works with established and emerging organizations to lead whole-system change, develop talent, increase their impact, and sustain their competitive edge. Her work is grounded in a values-driven approach to change, and building and sustaining healthy, productive teams and organizations. She promotes a systems focus, advocacy on tough issues, and intercultural intelligence.

Gloria is sought out to offer expertise in the areas of leadership, creating healthy, resilient organizations, and work-life balance. Jazz’s clients include community, state, and national colleges and universities, Valley Medical Center, University of Washington Medical Center, Department of Family and Child Protective Services (multiple states and tribes), Washington Department of Child Care and Early Learning, Galef Institute, Microsoft, MSNBC, Qwest, Boeing, Adobe Systems, Providence Health Systems, Swedish Medical Center, Delta Sigma Theta, Inc., Girl Scouts of America, Health Care for the Homeless Network, Women’s International Network, Attachmate, Helene Fuld Trust, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Cingular, Casey Family Programs, Noel House, Lifelong AIDS Alliance, Leadership Institute of Seattle (LIOS), Northwest Care Management, Bastyr Clinic, and International Coach Federation.

Gloria has held executive and senior leadership positions in organizational change and development, learning and talent development, human resources, education administration, program and product development, and computer technology at Casey Family Programs, Aldus Corporation (now Adobe Systems), Citibank (now Citigroup), Bank of America, Honeywell, Xerox, The Lift Every Voice Foundation, and Bastyr University/LIOS. She has served on the faculty of the University of Washington, University of California, and University of Southern California.

Former Consulting and Lead Faculty for Leadership Tomorrow and LIOS, Gloria is an Associate Professor at Saybrook Graduate and Research Center and an Affiliate Professor at the University of Washington. She holds graduate degrees (PhD and MBA) in Organizational Behavior, Information Systems, and Performance Studies from the University of Southern California, a graduate degree in Leadership and Consulting from Bastyr University/LIOS, and graduate and undergraduate degrees in Education, Communication, and Theater from the University of Michigan. Her board experience includes Antioch University, First Place School, Alliance for Education, Washington Digital Alliance, and Leadership Tomorrow.

Gloria has written a children’s book about her father’s life-changing relationship with Nobel Prize winning author William Faulkner. She has also written several books of poetry and produced and recorded a spoken-word and music CD. Her poetry and commentary have been featured on NPR and British Public Radio. Gloria’s new book, Dare to Wear Your Soul on the Outside (Jossey-Bass/Wiley, 2008), builds on the themes in her best-selling book, Legacy Living. Both books focus on values-based qualities for transforming our lives as 21st-century citizens in our complex, evolving global village.

STEVEN BYERS, M.A. - NEW HABITS OF MIND FOR NEW SOLUTIONS
Steve designs and hosts learning conversations for teams, organizations, and communities seeking significant change through a shift in thinking. He works with government agencies, corporations, schools, veterans, grassroots groups, and anyone wanting to create community. In his work he emphasizes the power of good questions to generate meaningful conversations.

Steve began learning about systems thinking through the work of W. Edwards Deming, Russell Ackoff, and Peter Senge. Steve has been part of the In2:InThinking Network (InThinking = thinking about thinking) since 2001, and contributes to the annual Forum and the monthly Ongoing Discussion teleconferences. He received his Masters Degree from the Organization Systems Renewal program at Seattle University in 2007.

CAL CROW - SESSION SIX: TOPIC TO BE DETERMINED SOON
Cal Crow is Program Director at the Center for Learning Connections, one of the nation’s first organizations to link education reform to the changing economy and workplace.

Dr. Crow has a long and successful career as an educator, counselor, consultant and trainer. He holds a Ph. D. from Arizona State University and has won numerous awards for his leadership in counseling and career/workforce development.

Cal has consulted and trained in forty-five states and territories, Australia, Jamaica and Canada on a variety of topics. His audiences have come from: education at all levels, corrections, workforce development, welfare reform, non-profits, mental health, youth-services, rehabilitation, learning disabilities and the private sector.

He is committed to helping organizations and individuals plan and create successful futures.

LUCY GARRICK - TAPPING ORGANIZATIONAL INNOVATION TO ADDRESS ORGANIZATIONAL DILEMMAS
Lucy Garrick has been a management consultant and coach for over 10 years. She works with clients from corporations, non-profits and government helping them to realize their missions and build leadership and organizational capacity. She also serves as adjunct faculty at Bellevue Community College

Prior to consulting, Lucy held senior management positions in the private sector, and successfully led high visibility, strategic projects for more than 20 years. She has held board leadership roles for several Seattle non-profits, and is a writer, speaker and painter.

She holds an advanced degree in Whole Systems Design and Leadership and a BS in IS Management.

NALANI LINDER, M.A. - NEW HABITS OF MIND FOR NEW SOLUTIONS
Nalani Linder teaches, consults and coaches clients based on the principles and habits of systems thinking. A coach at the annual Systems Thinking in Action conference, she is committed to making the ideas of systems thinking accessible and applicable for anyone who is seriously interested in generating insights to act on, to change ‘the way things are’ in one’s organization, community, or own life. For more, visit her website at www.nplinder.com.

Prior to receiving her Masters Degree in Whole Systems Design (Antioch University Seattle), Nalani worked in nonprofit management, fund development, and with a statewide child welfare system change initiative. She started her own systems thinking consulting business in 2005 and has designed or facilitated dozens of systems thinking-based change projects for clients in government, non-profit and community-based organizations. In addition to her passion for systems thinking, Nalani is a strong supporter of Undoing Institutionalized Racism (UIR); a student of Kundalini yoga; active in her Presbyterian church; a wife, and a mother of two school-age children.

YVONNE FREITAS MCGOOKIN - EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT
Yvonne Freitas McGookin is in the “development business”. For almost twenty years, Yvonne has worked with nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and government agencies to develop staff, managers and their organizations to their fullest potential. Yvonne is passionate about learning and creating stronger, connected, and more sustainable communities.

Currently, Yvonne serves as the Training and Development Director for Bellevue College, where she develops and provides strategic learning opportunities for the Bellevue College community. In addition, she engages in independent consulting, training and career coaching projects. Yvonne has served on the faculty and as an academic advisor for Cambridge College School of Management, where she taught courses and workshops in management, leadership, communication, human resource development, and research methods. Most recently, Yvonne has been teaching courses on career and life planning and learning portfolio development at Bellevue College.

Yvonne holds a Master’s degree in Education with an emphasis on Organizational Development and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She has a certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), is a qualified administrator of the Myers-Brigg Type Indicator© (MBTI), is trained in the use of Dependable Strengths Articulation Process©, and is a trained Gracious Space© practitioner. Yvonne also received professional coaching training at the Academy for Coach training.

An ardent supporter of the local and global community, Yvonne is a member of many professional associations and actively volunteers with several local nonprofits. Currently, she serves Board President for the Executive Services Corps of Washington (ESC-WA) where she has also provides volunteer consulting support to area nonprofits and educational organizations. During the winter months, Yvonne serves as a volunteer snowshoe instructor for Outdoors For All, a local nonprofit serving people with disabilities. Yvonne continually seeks ways to expand her sense of community.

SUSAN L. SECKER, Ph.D. - LEADING FROM ONE’S MORAL COMPASS
Susan L. Secker, former provost of Seattle University, is a consultant in leadership development with SLS Consulting, LLC. Dr. Secker has held senior leadership positions that include responsibilities for strategic planning, team building, diversifying the workforce, and cultivating ethical leadership.

Dr. Secker came to Seattle University in 1989 as an assistant professor of ethics, having completed her doctoral studies in ethics at the University of Chicago. As a professor, she taught ethics to graduate and undergraduate students. After being tenured and promoted to associate professor of ethics, Dr. Secker was appointed to leadership positions at Seattle University that include: department chair, associate dean, associate provost, vice president for planning, and provost.

Dr. Secker understands organizations, how they work, and the challenges and opportunities that their respective missions offer. She believes that authentic leadership results when persons lead from their own inner compass. The inspiration to be a leader in one’s life does not depend on roles or positions; it depends on being grounded in one’s deepest values and living with integrity, guided by those values. Her passion lies in urging others, especially women and persons of color, to unleash their potential for the common good.

Currently, Dr. Secker serves on the Board of Directors for Northwest Harvest and the Women’s Funding Alliance, and on the Board of Trustees for Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois.

LYNDA SILSBEE - LEADERSHIP AGILITY
Lynda Silsbee is the founder and President of Performance Dimensions Group. She writes, speaks and consults in the areas of leadership, employee engagement and performance improvement, team development, and performance management best practices. Her diverse industry experience includes more than 25 years in the field working with non-profit, public and private sector organizations like King County Elections, Friends of Youth, Fred Hutchinson, Nordstrom, Genie Industries, Jones Soda Co. and many more.

She is an accomplished leader, entrepreneur and human resource professional who started Performance Dimensions Group’s Organizational Effectiveness consulting firm in 1999. Lynda specializes in creating great leadership in organizations, developing high-performing teams and increasing organizational capacity to deliver great results. Her specialties include work in strategic planning and integration, human performance assessment and improvement, leadership and team development, organization design, performance management systems, and process improvement. Lynda is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources and a Certified Performance Technologist and is a graduate of the University of Washington with a Bachelors Degree in Business.

AMANDA SPRAKER - LEADERSHIP AGILITY
Amanda specializes in organizational effectiveness, process improvement, leadership, and team development. Her background includes over 10 years as a leader in the life sciences, healthcare, and high technology fields. Most recently, she served as the interim operations leader and Human Resources Director for Seattle Biomedical Research Institute.
She has lived and worked internationally supporting small business development for women-owned businesses and leading skill-building training. She brings expertise in designing systems, processes and teams that move organizations quickly and efficiently towards their goals. Her approach of building diverse cultures of leaders that can move nimbly with the ability to self reflect and improve, is a critical component of the changing needs and demands of any organization.

Amanda is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources, and served on the executive board of the Society of Human Resources Management – Seattle. Amanda is a graduate of the University of Oregon with a Bachelors Degree in Intercultural Communication.


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Gloria Burgess Steven Byers Cal Crow Lucy Garrick Nalani Linder Yvonne Freitas McGookin Susan L. Secker Lynda Silsbee Amanda Spraker Back to Top	PRESENTERS (listed in alphabetical order) GLORIA J. BURGESS, PhD - LEGACY LEADERSHIP: SERVICE FIRST Gloria J. Burgess, PhD is Principal of Jazz, Inc., her consulting and coaching firm. Gloria works with established and emerging organizations to lead whole-system change, develop talent, increase their impact, and sustain their competitive edge. Her work is grounded in a values-driven approach to change, and building and sustaining healthy, productive teams and organizations. She promotes a systems focus, advocacy on tough issues, and intercultural intelligence. Gloria is sought out to offer expertise in the areas of leadership, creating healthy, resilient organizations, and work-life balance. Jazz’s clients include community, state, and national colleges and universities, Valley Medical Center, University of Washington Medical Center, Department of Family and Child Protective Services (multiple states and tribes), Washington Department of Child Care and Early Learning, Galef Institute, Microsoft, MSNBC, Qwest, Boeing, Adobe Systems, Providence Health Systems, Swedish Medical Center, Delta Sigma Theta, Inc., Girl Scouts of America, Health Care for the Homeless Network, Women’s International Network, Attachmate, Helene Fuld Trust, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Cingular, Casey Family Programs, Noel House, Lifelong AIDS Alliance, Leadership Institute of Seattle (LIOS), Northwest Care Management, Bastyr Clinic, and International Coach Federation. Gloria has held executive and senior leadership positions in organizational change and development, learning and talent development, human resources, education administration, program and product development, and computer technology at Casey Family Programs, Aldus Corporation (now Adobe Systems), Citibank (now Citigroup), Bank of America, Honeywell, Xerox, The Lift Every Voice Foundation, and Bastyr University/LIOS. She has served on the faculty of the University of Washington, University of California, and University of Southern California. Former Consulting and Lead Faculty for Leadership Tomorrow and LIOS, Gloria is an Associate Professor at Saybrook Graduate and Research Center and an Affiliate Professor at the University of Washington. She holds graduate degrees (PhD and MBA) in Organizational Behavior, Information Systems, and Performance Studies from the University of Southern California, a graduate degree in Leadership and Consulting from Bastyr University/LIOS, and graduate and undergraduate degrees in Education, Communication, and Theater from the University of Michigan. Her board experience includes Antioch University, First Place School, Alliance for Education, Washington Digital Alliance, and Leadership Tomorrow. Gloria has written a children’s book about her father’s life-changing relationship with Nobel Prize winning author William Faulkner. She has also written several books of poetry and produced and recorded a spoken-word and music CD. Her poetry and commentary have been featured on NPR and British Public Radio. Gloria’s new book, Dare to Wear Your Soul on the Outside (Jossey-Bass/Wiley, 2008), builds on the themes in her best-selling book, Legacy Living. Both books focus on values-based qualities for transforming our lives as 21st-century citizens in our complex, evolving global village. STEVEN BYERS, M.A. - NEW HABITS OF MIND FOR NEW SOLUTIONS Steve designs and hosts learning conversations for teams, organizations, and communities seeking significant change through a shift in thinking. He works with government agencies, corporations, schools, veterans, grassroots groups, and anyone wanting to create community. In his work he emphasizes the power of good questions to generate meaningful conversations. Steve began learning about systems thinking through the work of W. Edwards Deming, Russell Ackoff, and Peter Senge. Steve has been part of the In2:InThinking Network (InThinking = thinking about thinking) since 2001, and contributes to the annual Forum and the monthly Ongoing Discussion teleconferences. He received his Masters Degree from the Organization Systems Renewal program at Seattle University in 2007. CAL CROW - SESSION SIX: TOPIC TO BE DETERMINED SOON Cal Crow is Program Director at the Center for Learning Connections, one of the nation’s first organizations to link education reform to the changing economy and workplace. Dr. Crow has a long and successful career as an educator, counselor, consultant and trainer. He holds a Ph. D. from Arizona State University and has won numerous awards for his leadership in counseling and career/workforce development. Cal has consulted and trained in forty-five states and territories, Australia, Jamaica and Canada on a variety of topics. His audiences have come from: education at all levels, corrections, workforce development, welfare reform, non-profits, mental health, youth-services, rehabilitation, learning disabilities and the private sector. He is committed to helping organizations and individuals plan and create successful futures. LUCY GARRICK - TAPPING ORGANIZATIONAL INNOVATION TO ADDRESS ORGANIZATIONAL DILEMMAS Lucy Garrick has been a management consultant and coach for over 10 years. She works with clients from corporations, non-profits and government helping them to realize their missions and build leadership and organizational capacity. She also serves as adjunct faculty at Bellevue Community College Prior to consulting, Lucy held senior management positions in the private sector, and successfully led high visibility, strategic projects for more than 20 years. She has held board leadership roles for several Seattle non-profits, and is a writer, speaker and painter. She holds an advanced degree in Whole Systems Design and Leadership and a BS in IS Management. NALANI LINDER, M.A. - NEW HABITS OF MIND FOR NEW SOLUTIONS Nalani Linder teaches, consults and coaches clients based on the principles and habits of systems thinking. A coach at the annual Systems Thinking in Action conference, she is committed to making the ideas of systems thinking accessible and applicable for anyone who is seriously interested in generating insights to act on, to change ‘the way things are’ in one’s organization, community, or own life. For more, visit her website at www.nplinder.com. Prior to receiving her Masters Degree in Whole Systems Design (Antioch University Seattle), Nalani worked in nonprofit management, fund development, and with a statewide child welfare system change initiative. She started her own systems thinking consulting business in 2005 and has designed or facilitated dozens of systems thinking-based change projects for clients in government, non-profit and community-based organizations. In addition to her passion for systems thinking, Nalani is a strong supporter of Undoing Institutionalized Racism (UIR); a student of Kundalini yoga; active in her Presbyterian church; a wife, and a mother of two school-age children. YVONNE FREITAS MCGOOKIN - EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT Yvonne Freitas McGookin is in the “development business”. For almost twenty years, Yvonne has worked with nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and government agencies to develop staff, managers and their organizations to their fullest potential. Yvonne is passionate about learning and creating stronger, connected, and more sustainable communities. Currently, Yvonne serves as the Training and Development Director for Bellevue College, where she develops and provides strategic learning opportunities for the Bellevue College community. In addition, she engages in independent consulting, training and career coaching projects. Yvonne has served on the faculty and as an academic advisor for Cambridge College School of Management, where she taught courses and workshops in management, leadership, communication, human resource development, and research methods. Most recently, Yvonne has been teaching courses on career and life planning and learning portfolio development at Bellevue College. Yvonne holds a Master’s degree in Education with an emphasis on Organizational Development and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She has a certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), is a qualified administrator of the Myers-Brigg Type Indicator© (MBTI), is trained in the use of Dependable Strengths Articulation Process©, and is a trained Gracious Space© practitioner. Yvonne also received professional coaching training at the Academy for Coach training. An ardent supporter of the local and global community, Yvonne is a member of many professional associations and actively volunteers with several local nonprofits. Currently, she serves Board President for the Executive Services Corps of Washington (ESC-WA) where she has also provides volunteer consulting support to area nonprofits and educational organizations. During the winter months, Yvonne serves as a volunteer snowshoe instructor for Outdoors For All, a local nonprofit serving people with disabilities. Yvonne continually seeks ways to expand her sense of community. SUSAN L. SECKER, Ph.D. - LEADING FROM ONE’S MORAL COMPASS Susan L. Secker, former provost of Seattle University, is a consultant in leadership development with SLS Consulting, LLC. Dr. Secker has held senior leadership positions that include responsibilities for strategic planning, team building, diversifying the workforce, and cultivating ethical leadership. Dr. Secker came to Seattle University in 1989 as an assistant professor of ethics, having completed her doctoral studies in ethics at the University of Chicago. As a professor, she taught ethics to graduate and undergraduate students. After being tenured and promoted to associate professor of ethics, Dr. Secker was appointed to leadership positions at Seattle University that include: department chair, associate dean, associate provost, vice president for planning, and provost. Dr. Secker understands organizations, how they work, and the challenges and opportunities that their respective missions offer. She believes that authentic leadership results when persons lead from their own inner compass. The inspiration to be a leader in one’s life does not depend on roles or positions; it depends on being grounded in one’s deepest values and living with integrity, guided by those values. Her passion lies in urging others, especially women and persons of color, to unleash their potential for the common good. Currently, Dr. Secker serves on the Board of Directors for Northwest Harvest and the Women’s Funding Alliance, and on the Board of Trustees for Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois. LYNDA SILSBEE - LEADERSHIP AGILITY Lynda Silsbee is the founder and President of Performance Dimensions Group. She writes, speaks and consults in the areas of leadership, employee engagement and performance improvement, team development, and performance management best practices. Her diverse industry experience includes more than 25 years in the field working with non-profit, public and private sector organizations like King County Elections, Friends of Youth, Fred Hutchinson, Nordstrom, Genie Industries, Jones Soda Co. and many more. She is an accomplished leader, entrepreneur and human resource professional who started Performance Dimensions Group’s Organizational Effectiveness consulting firm in 1999. Lynda specializes in creating great leadership in organizations, developing high-performing teams and increasing organizational capacity to deliver great results. Her specialties include work in strategic planning and integration, human performance assessment and improvement, leadership and team development, organization design, performance management systems, and process improvement. Lynda is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources and a Certified Performance Technologist and is a graduate of the University of Washington with a Bachelors Degree in Business. AMANDA SPRAKER - LEADERSHIP AGILITY Amanda specializes in organizational effectiveness, process improvement, leadership, and team development. Her background includes over 10 years as a leader in the life sciences, healthcare, and high technology fields. Most recently, she served as the interim operations leader and Human Resources Director for Seattle Biomedical Research Institute. She has lived and worked internationally supporting small business development for women-owned businesses and leading skill-building training. She brings expertise in designing systems, processes and teams that move organizations quickly and efficiently towards their goals. Her approach of building diverse cultures of leaders that can move nimbly with the ability to self reflect and improve, is a critical component of the changing needs and demands of any organization. Amanda is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources, and served on the executive board of the Society of Human Resources Management – Seattle. Amanda is a graduate of the University of Oregon with a Bachelors Degree in Intercultural Communication.