Master Class Presenters
Dr. John Cabra
John F. Cabra, Ph.D, is an assistant professor at the International Center for Studies in Creativity. He was a former operations manager for American Airlines in Buffalo, New York. He has also held internal consulting positions for American Airlines in the fields of training and development, employee relations, and organizational development for its Miami, Caribbean, and Latin America division. Before joining American, John was a bilingual training and organizational development specialist for Fisher-Price Toys in Mexico. As an external consultant, John designed and presented programs on leadership and creativity for organizations such as Motts in Mexico, United Airlines, Chilean Travel and Tourism Association, Boehringer Maanheim, Quaker Oats, University of Rochester, Hyatt Aruba, Transitions Optical, and El Dorado Bogotá International Airport Authority. John has presented his work in 22 countries.
John's research interests are organizational creativity and perceptions of creativity across cultures.
He has published several articles in Latin American business journals. He holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology from the University of Manchester, England, and a M.S. in Creativity from Buffalo State, State University of New York.
John's research interests are organizational creativity and perceptions of creativity across cultures.
He has published several articles in Latin American business journals. He holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology from the University of Manchester, England, and a M.S. in Creativity from Buffalo State, State University of New York.
Marysia Czarski
Marysia is Managing Director of Velocity Partnership, a change management powerhouse that helps businesses be more innovative and successful by upping their game with fresh thinking, new behaviours and more effective implementation.
Marysia began her career in marketing over 20 years ago, working at Ralston Purina, Cadbury, and then Lavalife. She discovered her passion for organizational excellence and human performance at Lavalife where she helped implement several coaching programs and successfully managed the change process to consolidate eighteen small call centres.
At Velocity Partnership she has worked with technology firms, retail stores, marketing and promotion agencies, fitness and health studios, interior design agencies, architect firms, engineering and manufacturing organizations, as well as insurance and financial institutions. She was instrumental in the development and launch of two successful retail stores in Toronto. At the root of most of Velocity’s work is the proven and proprietary Inside Out Change ProcessTM.
Marysia has a Master of Science in Creativity and Change Leadership from State University of New York. She graduated Dean’s Honor from Ivey Business School in London (H.B.A), is a certified trainer in Design Thinker, is a qualified transformational business coach, and has a diploma in French language from the Sorbonne in Paris
Marysia began her career in marketing over 20 years ago, working at Ralston Purina, Cadbury, and then Lavalife. She discovered her passion for organizational excellence and human performance at Lavalife where she helped implement several coaching programs and successfully managed the change process to consolidate eighteen small call centres.
At Velocity Partnership she has worked with technology firms, retail stores, marketing and promotion agencies, fitness and health studios, interior design agencies, architect firms, engineering and manufacturing organizations, as well as insurance and financial institutions. She was instrumental in the development and launch of two successful retail stores in Toronto. At the root of most of Velocity’s work is the proven and proprietary Inside Out Change ProcessTM.
Marysia has a Master of Science in Creativity and Change Leadership from State University of New York. She graduated Dean’s Honor from Ivey Business School in London (H.B.A), is a certified trainer in Design Thinker, is a qualified transformational business coach, and has a diploma in French language from the Sorbonne in Paris
Rob de Haas
As a Global De Bono Master Trainer Rob is an independent trainer/consultant and owner of the company ‘Orange Field’.
In 2004 he set up the Dutch De Bono Centre of Expertise as part of the School for the Future/King William I Community College. He worked permanently with pupils of primary schools, students of the college, faculty and management of Dutch community colleges and universities.
His cognitive work extends to a wide variety of international organizations and includes: Manchester Metropolitan University, University of Groningen, Rotterdam University Business School, AVANS University for Applied Sciences Academy for Finance and Management, Business School Riga and the National Teacher’s Training Centre of Riga, George Brown College Toronto/Sheridan College Ontario, Chair Conference USA, Michigan State University, Maricopa Community College Arizona, Belfast Metropolitan College, Triennale Burkina Faso, The Hudson Group, Association for Development of Education in Africa.
Rob has a passion for didactics, leadership and community building, learning (sports)psychology and Eastern Philosophy. He has been working on a National and International scale for the National Sports Federation (AIDS and Sports), the Ministry of Education (literacy/ Common European Framework of References for the teaching of Modern Languages). He has delivered major programs for business, elite athletes and public/educational organizations supporting them to improve team performance and personal effectiveness by applying creative thinking tools much more deliberately in daily work.
Mission: to improve, train and provide creative thinking tools for growth and change of individuals and team development. All his current work is based on his concept of ‘Learning Creatively’, a Whole Brain Learning and Teaching approach which is based on five pillars, which are closely connected to each other: curiosita, constructional, collaborative, creative and contextual.
In 2004 he set up the Dutch De Bono Centre of Expertise as part of the School for the Future/King William I Community College. He worked permanently with pupils of primary schools, students of the college, faculty and management of Dutch community colleges and universities.
His cognitive work extends to a wide variety of international organizations and includes: Manchester Metropolitan University, University of Groningen, Rotterdam University Business School, AVANS University for Applied Sciences Academy for Finance and Management, Business School Riga and the National Teacher’s Training Centre of Riga, George Brown College Toronto/Sheridan College Ontario, Chair Conference USA, Michigan State University, Maricopa Community College Arizona, Belfast Metropolitan College, Triennale Burkina Faso, The Hudson Group, Association for Development of Education in Africa.
Rob has a passion for didactics, leadership and community building, learning (sports)psychology and Eastern Philosophy. He has been working on a National and International scale for the National Sports Federation (AIDS and Sports), the Ministry of Education (literacy/ Common European Framework of References for the teaching of Modern Languages). He has delivered major programs for business, elite athletes and public/educational organizations supporting them to improve team performance and personal effectiveness by applying creative thinking tools much more deliberately in daily work.
Mission: to improve, train and provide creative thinking tools for growth and change of individuals and team development. All his current work is based on his concept of ‘Learning Creatively’, a Whole Brain Learning and Teaching approach which is based on five pillars, which are closely connected to each other: curiosita, constructional, collaborative, creative and contextual.
Blair Miller
Blair Miller, M.S., is a dynamic trainer and consultant to Fortune 500 clients, bringing nearly 20 years of experience training and facilitating innovative teams. Blair is also the publisher and co-founder of FourSight, LLC, and among the world's leading experts in designing and delivering FourSight. He is an ideal trainer and coach for this 2-day workshop.
Dr. Gerard Puccio
Department Chair and Professor at the International Center for Studies in Creativity, Buffalo State; a unique academic department that offers the world's only master of science degree in creativity. Gerard has written more than 40 articles, chapters and books. His most recent book, co-authored with his colleagues Mary Murdock and Marie Mance, is titled Creative Leadership: Skills that Drive Change. In recognition of his outstanding work as a scholar, Gerard received the State University of New York Chancellor's Recognition Award for Research Excellence and the President's Medal for Scholarship and Creativity.
Dr. Puccio is an accomplished speaker and consultant; he has worked with major corporations, universities, and numerous school districts. Some of his recent clients include Fisher-Price Brands, Sun Life Insurance, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Kraft Foods, Synovate (Market Research Firm), New Jersey Institute of Technology, Rochester Institute of Technology and the Fashion Institute of Technology. He has delivered creativity workshops and presentations around the world, in such countries as France, England, Spain, Italy, Tanzania, Hong Kong, Singapore, the Dominican Republic, and Canada. Gerard holds a Ph.D. in organizational psychology from the University of Manchester, England.
Dr. Puccio is an accomplished speaker and consultant; he has worked with major corporations, universities, and numerous school districts. Some of his recent clients include Fisher-Price Brands, Sun Life Insurance, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Kraft Foods, Synovate (Market Research Firm), New Jersey Institute of Technology, Rochester Institute of Technology and the Fashion Institute of Technology. He has delivered creativity workshops and presentations around the world, in such countries as France, England, Spain, Italy, Tanzania, Hong Kong, Singapore, the Dominican Republic, and Canada. Gerard holds a Ph.D. in organizational psychology from the University of Manchester, England.
Melanie Rothschild
Melanie Rothschild is a self-taught artist who has made a living with her art for the last 25 years.
Her functional work (tables, boxes and picture frames) has been sold in American craft galleries, department stores and museum shops since the early 90’s throughout the United States and has been licensed to Target. Since a turn in direction to fine arts several years ago, her work has been exhibited in several group shows as well as a solo exhibit on La Cienega Blvd in Los Angeles.
She considers moxie, an irreverent nature, and respect for mistake making to be the tools of her trade.
Rothschild earned her master’s degree in the Study of Creativity at Buffalo State in 2011. She has a bachelor’s in Ethnic Arts with a concentration in Anthropology from UCLA.
She is from and lives in Los Angeles, is the mother of young adult twins and has been married to the same guy for more than 30 years.
View examples of Melanie's work at her website: http://melanierothschild.com/index.html
Her functional work (tables, boxes and picture frames) has been sold in American craft galleries, department stores and museum shops since the early 90’s throughout the United States and has been licensed to Target. Since a turn in direction to fine arts several years ago, her work has been exhibited in several group shows as well as a solo exhibit on La Cienega Blvd in Los Angeles.
She considers moxie, an irreverent nature, and respect for mistake making to be the tools of her trade.
Rothschild earned her master’s degree in the Study of Creativity at Buffalo State in 2011. She has a bachelor’s in Ethnic Arts with a concentration in Anthropology from UCLA.
She is from and lives in Los Angeles, is the mother of young adult twins and has been married to the same guy for more than 30 years.
View examples of Melanie's work at her website: http://melanierothschild.com/index.html
Juliana Sanchez Trujillo
Juliana Sanchez Trujillo is working within Learning and Development in the Healthcare industry. Currently she is a Training Assistant for the Claims Operations Department at Independent Health. She is a certified Lego Serious Play workshop designer and facilitator. In addition, she works as a Creativity and Change Management Consultant for multiple organizations.
Juliana has worked as a consultant, facilitator and presenter in different industries in Colombia, Canada and United States. Some of her clients include Endesa Colombia, BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York, Western New York Regional Economic Development Councils, State University of New York College at Buffalo, Young Audiences Arts for Learning, among others.
Juliana’s research interests are playfulness-based training, Organizational Creativity and Change Management.
In recognition for her outstanding work in the creativity field, she received the Mary Murdock Creative Spirit Scholarship award in 2011. Juliana recently published her first article in a Latin American Social Science Journal in conjunction with John F. Cabra. She holds a M.S. Creativity from Buffalo State, State University of New York and a B.A. Corporate Communications from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana Bogota.
Juliana has worked as a consultant, facilitator and presenter in different industries in Colombia, Canada and United States. Some of her clients include Endesa Colombia, BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York, Western New York Regional Economic Development Councils, State University of New York College at Buffalo, Young Audiences Arts for Learning, among others.
Juliana’s research interests are playfulness-based training, Organizational Creativity and Change Management.
In recognition for her outstanding work in the creativity field, she received the Mary Murdock Creative Spirit Scholarship award in 2011. Juliana recently published her first article in a Latin American Social Science Journal in conjunction with John F. Cabra. She holds a M.S. Creativity from Buffalo State, State University of New York and a B.A. Corporate Communications from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana Bogota.
Harry van der Schans
Presented by Harry van der Schans, de Bono Master Trainer and director of the De Bono Center of Expertise at Koning Willem I College. Harry van der Schans works at Koning Willem I College, a Dutch Community College which has set out to incorporate the teaching and learning of creative thinking skills and competencies in the curriculum. For this the College mainly makes use of the thinking techniques developed by dr. Edward de Bono. Harry van der Schans is a certified De Bono trainer in Six Hats (Dublin, 2004) and Lateral Thinking (Dublin, 2005) and in 2012 he was appointed de Bono Master Trainer in Six Hats. As head of the De Bono Center of Expertise he is responsible for the implementation process at Koning Willem I College / School for the Future. Next to that he has also been trained in various other (creative) thinking techniques (Mindmapping, Memory training, Creative Problem Solving, Time Management, Scenario Thinking etc.) which he incorporates when facilitating groups. He graduated from Radboud University in Linguistics and since 2004 he has trained and facilitated thousands of people in the field of creative and critical thinking.
Russ Schoen
Russ Schoen works as a facilitator, speaker and trainer in the areas of deliberate creativity, innovation, high performance and change leadership. He has facilitated programs worldwide including programs in Singapore, Italy, Australia, England, India, New Zealand, South Africa and the US.
A sampling of organizations to benefit from his training, on-going facilitation and speaking in the last few years include: T. Rowe Price, International Flavor & Fragrances, Kraft, Coca-Cola, TAP Pharmaceuticals, SC Johnson, Philips Electronics, Praxair, Discover, Kimberly-Clark, Zimmer and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Russ is a contributing author to a number of creative leadership related materials including the FourSight and Ingenious Thinking suite of materials. In addition, Russ is a lecturer at Northwestern University where he teaches graduate courses in leadership and adjunct faculty at the Center for Studies in Creativity where he teaches graduate courses in facilitating creative process.
Russ holds a Master of Science in Creativity from the State University of New York at Buffalo and is a graduate of the Second City Conservatory specializing in improvisation. He is a specialist in the field of individual, team and organizational innovation and leadership and holds certifications in a number of additional training programs including Polarity Management and Emotional Intelligence. Russ also serves as a leader at the annual Creative Problem Solving Institute, the annual Creativity European Association conference in Italy and the Mindcamp Creativity Conference in Toronto.
In addition to his work with organizations, Russ is a co-founder of the Creative Youth Leadership Academy (www.creativeyouthleadership.org) which helps train young people to adopt a mindset and apply a toolset to help them see more options in their lives and to make healthier choices.
When not working, Russ spends his free time in Chicago improvising, learning Italian and practicing aikido.
To learn more about Russ, http://www.linkedin.com/in/russschoen
A sampling of organizations to benefit from his training, on-going facilitation and speaking in the last few years include: T. Rowe Price, International Flavor & Fragrances, Kraft, Coca-Cola, TAP Pharmaceuticals, SC Johnson, Philips Electronics, Praxair, Discover, Kimberly-Clark, Zimmer and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Russ is a contributing author to a number of creative leadership related materials including the FourSight and Ingenious Thinking suite of materials. In addition, Russ is a lecturer at Northwestern University where he teaches graduate courses in leadership and adjunct faculty at the Center for Studies in Creativity where he teaches graduate courses in facilitating creative process.
Russ holds a Master of Science in Creativity from the State University of New York at Buffalo and is a graduate of the Second City Conservatory specializing in improvisation. He is a specialist in the field of individual, team and organizational innovation and leadership and holds certifications in a number of additional training programs including Polarity Management and Emotional Intelligence. Russ also serves as a leader at the annual Creative Problem Solving Institute, the annual Creativity European Association conference in Italy and the Mindcamp Creativity Conference in Toronto.
In addition to his work with organizations, Russ is a co-founder of the Creative Youth Leadership Academy (www.creativeyouthleadership.org) which helps train young people to adopt a mindset and apply a toolset to help them see more options in their lives and to make healthier choices.
When not working, Russ spends his free time in Chicago improvising, learning Italian and practicing aikido.
To learn more about Russ, http://www.linkedin.com/in/russschoen
Shari Walczak
Shari’s 18 year career has taken her from advertising account service to the leadership of two top digital agencies and into strategic planning where she applies creativity methods and insight tools to help clients identify and solve business and marketing challenges. At john st., - one of Canada's top creative agencies - Shari is responsible for applying consumer understanding, cultural relevance and brand insight to the development of fresh and unique brand experiences that encourage interaction and deliver value to consumers.
She’s passionate about the importance of creativity as a strategic business tool which is what brought her to Buffalo in pursuit of an M.Sc. in Creativity and Change Leadership. What she took away was an appreciation for how important it is to encourage creative thinking as early as possible, and lead her to participate in the creation of Toronto's first public elementary school designed to deliver an interdisciplinary holistic education (Equinox Holistic Alternative School) .
In 2003, Shari took a year-long break to travel the world with her husband, Craig, which seems to have gone well; they’re still married, and now have two lively little boys keeping them “on” the beaten track for the time being.
She’s passionate about the importance of creativity as a strategic business tool which is what brought her to Buffalo in pursuit of an M.Sc. in Creativity and Change Leadership. What she took away was an appreciation for how important it is to encourage creative thinking as early as possible, and lead her to participate in the creation of Toronto's first public elementary school designed to deliver an interdisciplinary holistic education (Equinox Holistic Alternative School) .
In 2003, Shari took a year-long break to travel the world with her husband, Craig, which seems to have gone well; they’re still married, and now have two lively little boys keeping them “on” the beaten track for the time being.
90 Minute Session Presenters
Jayme Cellitioci
Jayme Cellitioci grew up in Buffalo, New York and holds her B.S. in Psychobiology from Southampton College and her M.S. in Creativity and Change Leadership from the International Center for Studies in Creativity at Buffalo State College. Jayme has spent her career in informal science education, serving as a research naturalist and program manager for the Pacific Whale Foundation in Maui, Hawai’i, Education and Exhibits Director of Maui Ocean Center and Assistant Director for the Center for Science Learning at the Buffalo Museum of Science. Her passion for science education has brought her around the globe to Indonesia, Greece, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Australia. Jayme is currently the principal of ULU Consulting, a facilitation and consulting practice dedicated to transformation through applied creativity. Her primary contract is with Invent Now, Inc., serving as a Camp Invention program curriculum designer and trainer. Jayme is also a proud wife and mother.
Dr. Ginger Grant
Ginger Grant is a Professor of Marketing and Innovation at Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning. She has a doctoral degree in mythological studies and depth psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute and is part of the consulting team for the Stanford GSB “Creativity and Business” method. Ginger is the author of two books, ReVisioning the Way We Work (2005) and Finding Your Creative Core (2009). She has taught at several North American universities in international business, organizational theory, strategic innovation management and marketing. In addition to her consulting practice, she is a frequent speaker at the Conference Board of Canada and serves as a special advisor to the Council for Client Relations and Customer Experience. Ginger researches, writes and speaks about visual narrative, creativity and corporate culture.
Clara Kluk
Clara works with organizations across Latin America, Europe and China facilitating creativity and innovation, helping manage change and transition, and enhancing teamwork and leadership. Throughout her career, she has helped major corporations to create bottom-line innovation, new products and marketing initiatives and workplace transformation programs. In the process, she’s seen how barriers to creativity and innovation are also barriers to success — for individuals and for groups. She has trained more than one thousand executives in improving their thinking skills and their ability to communicate their ideas.
Clara holds a Master of Science degree in Creativity from the International Center for Studies in Creativity at Buffalo State College,
Clara is a partner of PIENSA, a consulting firm in México City, USA, Costa Rica, China and very soon Spain.
Clara holds a Master of Science degree in Creativity from the International Center for Studies in Creativity at Buffalo State College,
Clara is a partner of PIENSA, a consulting firm in México City, USA, Costa Rica, China and very soon Spain.
Ismet Mamnoon
Ismet Mamnoon is a Master of Science in Creativity degree candidate at the International Center for Studies in Creativity at Buffalo State College. She is interested in the applications of Creative Problem Solving to facilitate organizational challenges and interpersonal relationships, with a particular emphasis on the parent-child relationship. She recently received the Firestien Family Creative Achievement award for her work in the field of creative thinking and facilitation.
Ismet has written and published a guidebook - From Stormy Seas to Safe Harbor, to facilitate the use of the Creative Problem Solving process by a novice user. She has also developed a Parenting Tool Kit which provides creative solutions to parenting challenges.
Recently, Ismet launched the Initiative for Creativity in Education in the UAE. Ismet is an Associate Chartered Accountant in England, and is a Certified Public Accountant in the USA. In addition she is a Certified Advanced FourSight Trainer.
Ismet has written and published a guidebook - From Stormy Seas to Safe Harbor, to facilitate the use of the Creative Problem Solving process by a novice user. She has also developed a Parenting Tool Kit which provides creative solutions to parenting challenges.
Recently, Ismet launched the Initiative for Creativity in Education in the UAE. Ismet is an Associate Chartered Accountant in England, and is a Certified Public Accountant in the USA. In addition she is a Certified Advanced FourSight Trainer.
Trevor McAlpine
Trevor McAlpine a life-long student of creativity and innovation. He is well-versed in two different creativity methodologies, CPS and Synectics. He is almost finished his MSc in Creative Sciences from Buffalo State College.
Trevor is the founder of Synergetic Management, a Burlington, Ontario-based consulting company that helps its clients make meaningful changes that generate tangible, bottom-line results. His 15-year record of successful client engagement covers diverse companies, from forestry to nuclear power.
Trevor uses his creative science training to create a performance improvement mindset within and across departments and entire organizations. He accelerates individual and team creativity through effective coaching, thus client staff become key contributors to these improvements via their increased understanding of both the potential of and the underlying mechanics of performance improvement.
Married with three children, Trevor has had a number of careers, including author and broadcaster. He is a licensed Professional Engineer and has an MBA.
Trevor is the founder of Synergetic Management, a Burlington, Ontario-based consulting company that helps its clients make meaningful changes that generate tangible, bottom-line results. His 15-year record of successful client engagement covers diverse companies, from forestry to nuclear power.
Trevor uses his creative science training to create a performance improvement mindset within and across departments and entire organizations. He accelerates individual and team creativity through effective coaching, thus client staff become key contributors to these improvements via their increased understanding of both the potential of and the underlying mechanics of performance improvement.
Married with three children, Trevor has had a number of careers, including author and broadcaster. He is a licensed Professional Engineer and has an MBA.
Natascha Radclyffe-Thomas, Ed.D
Dr. Natascha Radclyffe-Thomas is a researcher, design practitioner and lecturer with twenty years experience in the UK, Asia and the US. As partner in fashion-forward London childrenswear company ‘Miss Fleur’ Natascha was involved with all stages of the product-design process. Natascha holds a Doctorate in Education from Durham University; her thesis explores intercultural understandings of creative practice, products and assessment. Natascha has published papers on intercultural creativity, and on the use of digital technologies in education, and has presented conference papers on her research interests internationally.
Sandra Reicis
Sandra Reicis, is an Assistant Professor of Interior Design and is the Art Department Chairperson at Villa Maria College, Buffalo, New York. She is from Toronto where she earned her undergraduate degree in Sociology at York University and then went on to earn a Master of Architecture degree at the University at Buffalo. As a design professional she has completed numerous design projects in Canada and the US. As an educator she has presented at several local, national and international conferences. She is actively involved at the regional level of the Interior Design Educators Council (IDEC) Favorite pastimes include architectural and watercolor rendering.
Ginny Santos
Ginny has over 10 years of professional experience working with diverse groups. She has quickly gone from being a student leader, social justice activist and community organizer to leadership and management positions in the non-profit sector. She has a strong and proven commitment to diversity, consensus, and authentic leadership and believes that people can have fun at work.
Ginny is originally from Spain, and has been based in Canada for 16 years. She is now a creativity enthusiast, an occasional dance performer, a cyclist, a mother, an ongoing learner, an energetic teacher and a creative planner
Ginny is originally from Spain, and has been based in Canada for 16 years. She is now a creativity enthusiast, an occasional dance performer, a cyclist, a mother, an ongoing learner, an energetic teacher and a creative planner
Marci Segal
Marci is a creativity professional for close to 30 years, freeing people's thinking so they can create new futures. She attended the International Center for Studies in Creativity where she began studies in 1977 completing both undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Marci founded creativityland inc in Toronto to provide team creativity and innovation training, consulting, facilitation and to present conference keynote addresses and workshops for organizations around the world. She parlays her extensive knowledge of psychological type, future studies and organizational systems into programs and talks to enrich people's use and understanding of creative processes and to promote collaboration and team work for innovation.
Marci co-founded World Creativity and Innovation Week April 15 - 21 which is now celebrated in over 50 countries and has received numerous international awards for her pioneering leadership. Clients include NASA, Ontario Public Service, UNICEF, United Way Toronto, Rich Products, Ricoh Corporation, Robert Bosch and phd Canada. www.creativityland.ca
Marci founded creativityland inc in Toronto to provide team creativity and innovation training, consulting, facilitation and to present conference keynote addresses and workshops for organizations around the world. She parlays her extensive knowledge of psychological type, future studies and organizational systems into programs and talks to enrich people's use and understanding of creative processes and to promote collaboration and team work for innovation.
Marci co-founded World Creativity and Innovation Week April 15 - 21 which is now celebrated in over 50 countries and has received numerous international awards for her pioneering leadership. Clients include NASA, Ontario Public Service, UNICEF, United Way Toronto, Rich Products, Ricoh Corporation, Robert Bosch and phd Canada. www.creativityland.ca
Catherine Skora
MS, Creative Studies/Change Leadership, Buffalo State College
As a graduate of the Creative Studies program in 2011 Cathy enthusiastically continues to integrate a variety of aspects of the creativity field into her work as an educator at the Elmwood Village Charter School, as a workshop leader, and in writing and developing projects.
Cathy’s eclectic background includes founder and executive director of Folkloric Productions Dance Co., Inc. ( a not-for-profit 501c3 cultural organization); dance studio owner; arts-in- education teacher integration development facilitator; facilitator of an arts integration partnership with a charter school that was recognized and funded by the New York State Council on the Arts; development of transition programs; presenter of workshops nationally and internationally; and grant writing. Cathy was a recipient of the Mary Murdock Creative Spirit Award, which she considers a defining moment in her career.
As a graduate of the Creative Studies program in 2011 Cathy enthusiastically continues to integrate a variety of aspects of the creativity field into her work as an educator at the Elmwood Village Charter School, as a workshop leader, and in writing and developing projects.
Cathy’s eclectic background includes founder and executive director of Folkloric Productions Dance Co., Inc. ( a not-for-profit 501c3 cultural organization); dance studio owner; arts-in- education teacher integration development facilitator; facilitator of an arts integration partnership with a charter school that was recognized and funded by the New York State Council on the Arts; development of transition programs; presenter of workshops nationally and internationally; and grant writing. Cathy was a recipient of the Mary Murdock Creative Spirit Award, which she considers a defining moment in her career.
Laura & Tim Switalski
Tim and Laura Switalski are partners of Darwin Associates, a consulting firm focusing on innovation, organizational evolution and leadership development. They have worked throughout the United States, Canada and Europe as well as in Central and South America to enhance teamwork and leadership, facilitate creativity and innovation, and help manage change and transition. Tim and Laura both hold a Master of Science degree in Creativity and Innovation from the International Center for Studies in Creativity at Buffalo State College where they are also adjunct faculty. They have been leaders at CPSI for many years and are founding members and organizers of CREA Conference, the European conference in Creativity and Creative Problem Solving, held annually in Sestri Levante, Italy.
Frans van Gaal
Frans van Gaal is a trainer/facilitator at the School for the Future/de Bono Expertise centre (DBE) in 's-Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands. He takes care of courses, facilitates meetings and workshops in applied creativity.
DBE is responsible for implementing creativity or thinking skills in the regular courses of Koning Willem I College, a community college.
Frans also is a social historian. In that way he has a special interest in the innovative power of history. One important aforism for Frans is 'Creativity is not as much a matter of finding new materials or ideas. It's more a matter of replacing the old of existing ideas or materials'.
DBE is responsible for implementing creativity or thinking skills in the regular courses of Koning Willem I College, a community college.
Frans also is a social historian. In that way he has a special interest in the innovative power of history. One important aforism for Frans is 'Creativity is not as much a matter of finding new materials or ideas. It's more a matter of replacing the old of existing ideas or materials'.
