BUILDING & NAVIGATING NETWORKS

I find networks fascinating. Exploring how connections grow and dissolve, foster innovation and enable creative solutions are among the things I enjoy most. I had my entry into the world of networks with my first job at the Creative City Network of Canada where I encountered the value of connecting arts organizations with the business sector and government. In a world in which growth rarely happens in isolation it is astounding to see what happens when the right partners show up in a room.

I was fortunate enough to expand my expertise in building networks at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland where I learned what it takes to be an exceptional host and also acquire the skills needed to collaborate with people from wildly different backgrounds. There is magic in finding, forging and cultivating a common language that enables collaboration with stakeholders from different industries or sectors.

As a solo-preneur, I am also a member of the Impact Hub, a global network of entrepreneurs in sustainability, tech and culture. It has provided me with an ongoing source of inspiration and a pool of likeminded people who equally care about business, society and nature. To me combining a collaborative multi-stakeholder approach with peer-to-peer learning in an inspirational setting has proven a powerful way to develop new perspectives, create understanding and drive innovation.

To gain deeper understanding of the way in which networks grow, I seek inspiration in nature. Nature provides a blueprint for the evolution of ecosystems and how sustainability can be built into the system.