About Our Presentations

NOTE: All presentations were given by Partnering Resources founder Maya Townsend unless otherwise noted.

Conflict, Change & Complexity

• “Interrupting the Path to Violence: Using Deep Democracy to Identify and Mitigate Precursors to Violence,” Frontiers of Democracy Conference, 2024.
• “Emotions Welcome!: Deep Democracy’s Approach to Conflict Resolution,” Association for Conflict Resolution, 2023.
• “Leaning into Difference: Using Deep Democracy to Break Through Polarization and Impasse,” Frontiers of Democracy Conference, 2023.
• “Stuck in Your Point of View? Let’s Talk!,” International Leadership Association Global Conference, October 13-16, 2022.
• “Deep Democracy and Organization Development: A New Approach to Resistance and Collaboration,” Organization Development Network, October 26, 2022.
• “What If We Loved Conflict?: How Deep Democracy Invites Healthy Conflict At Work, Chesapeake Bay Organization Development Network (CBODN), June 6, 2022.
• “An Introduction to Deep Democracy: A New View into Resistance and Conflict,” MAFN, 2022.
• “Change, Undone: How to Work with Top Leaders to Make Change Stick,” ACMP CHG MGMT Conference, 2021.
• “Deep Democracy: First Aid for Conflict,” with Lauren Powers, Boston Facilitators Roundtable, 2021.
• “A New View into Change Leadership: Leveraging the Power of Organizational Networks,” Association of Change Management Professionals, 2020.
• “When Conflict Overwhelms Change: What To Do When Groups Get Stuck,” Association of Change Management Professionals, Orlando, FL, 2019. Presented by Partnering Resources Associate Keli Trejo. 
• “When the #@$! Hits the Fan: Leading Your Team through Deep Conflict.” Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Leading Across Generations conference, 2018.
• “Spreading Like Fire: Using Networks to Streamline and Accelerate Change Communication.” International Association of Business Communicators, 2017.
• “Stacking the Deck: Using Network Knowledge to Build Support for Change.” Association of Change Management Professionals, 2017.
• “Follow the Leader: What You Need to Drive Your Organization to Achieve Its Change Goals.” Inc 500 | 5000 Conference, 2013.
• “Six Strategies for Making Change Stick (Hint: Connections Matter).” The Build Network SOLVE!, 2013.
• “Becoming a Change Leader (Yes, You!)” PMI Mass Bay, 2012. Acclaimed as the “best session on change ever attended.”
• “Becoming a Change Leader (Yes, You!)” Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association Leadership Conference, 2012. Acclaimed as “best workshop attended” and “most useful session yet.”
• “Organization Change Management.” CEM Benchmarking Conference, 2012.
• “Becoming a Change Leader (Yes, You!): What You Need to Lead Your Project to Success.” Boston ProjectSummit Conference, 2011.
• “What are You Going to Do—Fire Me?: Keeping Employees Engaged and Sharing Knowledge through Company Closure, Outsourcing, and Layoffs.” OD Network National Conference, 2007.
• “Emergent Community: Views from Complexity Science.”  NTL Institute for Applied Behavioral Science, 2003.
• “Fractals and Anthills and Jazz – Oh My!: Complex Adaptive Systems 101.” OD Network National Conference, 2002. Acclaimed as “best in conference.”
• “Fractals and Anthills and Jazz – Oh My!: Complex Adaptive Systems 101.” OD Learning Group, 2002.
• “Navigating Organization Culture.” OD Learning Group, 2002.

Human-Centering, Strategy & Ecosystems

• “Human Centered Organizations: A Call for Radical Humanity at Work,” Providers’ Council, 2023.
• “Is Your Strategy Stuck in the 20th Century?: Rethinking Our Assumptions about What Makes Organizations Thrive.” Organization Development Network, 2018.
• “Is Your Strategy Stuck in the 20th Century? The Shifts You & Your Company Need to Make in order to Thrive in the 21st Century.” International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), 2018.
• “Stuck in the 20th Century? The Shifts You & Your Company Need to Make in order to Thrive in the 21st Century.” IABC EMENA Region, 2017.
• “Lessons from Mapping the Nonprofit Talent Ecosystem: Finding the Talent You Need.” Massachusetts Nonprofit Network, 2016.
• “Navigating Global Complexity: How Bayer Used Organization Network Analysis to Build a Connected, Collaborative Organization.” OD Network Conference, 2016.
• “Business Ecosystem Mapping & Analysis Workshop.” Portland State University (Oregon), 2014.
• “The Forest and the Trees: Understanding Business Ecosystems.” SHRM Strategy Conference, 2013.
• “Mapping Austin’s Adolescent Health System Using Value Network Analysis: A Tool for Mapping Complex Ecosystems and Discovering Opportunities.” Austin Organization Development Forum, 2013.
• “What Got You Here Won’t Get You There.” Main stage, Inc. 500 | 5000 Conference, 2013.

Networks & Collaboration

• “Become a Connected Leader: Thrive in our Complex, Networked World,” Masterclass, April 14 and May 12, 2022.
• “Networks and Culture,” ONA Summit 2021, December 3, 2021.
• “From Commitment and Action: Uncovering and Addressing Hidden Resistance,” Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association conference, November 8 – 10, 2021.
• “Insights Hidden in Organizational Networks,” Inspirational Insights Podcast, March 21, 2021.
• “Need Resilience? Look to Your Networks,” Association for Strategic Planning Virtual Conference, 2021.
• “A New View into Change Leadership: Leveraging the Power of Organizational Networks,” Association of Change Management Professionals, 2020.
• “Applying Organization Network Analysis in Organizations,” Northwestern University, 2020.
• “The Collaborative Edge: How Can Organizations Assess and Improve Collaboration?,” Maven7, 2020.
• “Our Organizations are Networks: Why Don’t We Use Them for Communication and Leadership?” International Association of Business Communicators, 2020. Acclaimed “best session of the conference” and “fantastic.”
• “Stop Fighting Fires, Start Shifting Patterns: Using Network Knowledge to Shape Change,” ONA Summit, Maven7, 2020.
• “Applying Organization Network Analysis in Organizations,” Northwestern University,  2019.
• “Mapping Networks in Wimberley, Texas,” Social System Mapping Community of Practice, 2019
• “How Successful Do You Plan To Be In 2019? A Workshop Experience Weaving Connections To Enrich Your Life, Livelihood and Community,” Wimberley Valley Works (TX), 2019.
• “Influencers: The Key to Organization Change.” Maven7 First Annual Users’ Conference (Budapest), 2018.
• “Spreading Like Fire: Using Networks to Streamline and Accelerate Change Communication.” International Association of Business Communicators, 2017.
• “Stacking the Deck: Using Network Knowledge to Build Support for Change.” Association of Change Management Professionals, 2017.
• “Navigating Global Complexity: How Bayer Used Organization Network Analysis to Build a Connected, Collaborative Organization.” OD Network Conference, 2016.
• “Networked Leadership: A Systematic, Strategic Method for Helping Clients (and You!) Build, Sustain, and Benefit from Networks.” Massachusetts Bay Organization Development Learning Group, 2013.
• “Networked Organizations: Assessing Business Ecosystems and Helping Organizations Find Opportunities in Our Complex World.” Massachusetts Bay Organization Development Learning Group, 2013.
• “Stacking the Deck: Using Hidden Networks to Identify and Develop High Potentials and Succession Plans.” SHRM Talent Management Conference, 2013.
• “Stacking the Deck: Using Hidden Networks to Identify and Develop High Performers.” NEHRA Leadership Conference, 2012. Received an overall rating of 4.9 on 5.0 scale.
• “Network Practices,” Social Capital Summit, 2011.
• “Network Weaving,” Austin Healthy Adolescent Initiative, 2011.
• “Now We Have a Map: Organizational Networks Made Visible,” 2011.
• “Accelerating Time to Productivity: Using Network Science for Rapid On-Boarding.” NEHRA, 2010. Received an overall rating of 4.8 on a 5.0 scale.
• “The Hidden Web: Inside the Informal Networks that Drive Project Performance.” PMI Central Massachusetts, 2010.
• “The Missing Link: Leveraging Information Networks to Improve Project Success Rates.” PMI Mass Bay, 2010. Acclaimed as “best session on networking ever attended.”
• “How Work Really Gets Done:  Leveraging Social Networks to Accelerate Change.” Midwest Talent Management Forum, 2009. Acclaimed as “best session of the day.”
• “Network Power: Building Quality Through Networks.” ASQ Worcester, 2009.
• “How Work Really Gets Done: Capitalizing on Hidden Networks.” NEHRA Advanced Practitioner Series, 2008. Acclaimed as one of the most successful in NEHRA’s history. 
• Keynote: “How Work Really Gets Done: Capitalizing on Hidden Networks.” Gartner EXP HR Summit, 2008.
• “Network Power: How Organizations Benefit from Growing Informal Networks.” OD Network National Conference, 2008.
• “Who Trumps How: Building Networks to Build Your Career.” Dominion Enterprises, 2008.

Networking

• “Ask the Expert: Smarter Networking,” Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association, 2020.
• “Networking for Introverts: Creating a Sustainable Practice that Works for You,” WITI, 2019.
• “Networking for Introverts.” Society for Women Environmental Professionals (SWEP), 2018.
• “Smarter Networking 101. Bust the Myths, Avoid the Awkwardness, and Weave Valuable Connections.” The New Networking, 2018.
• “The Six Types You Need in Your Network: Weaving a Network that Works for You.” Society of Professional Consultants, 2018.
• “Networking for Introverts.” Women In Technology (WITI), 2017.
• “Networked Leadership & Communication Workshop.” Ohio Association of County Boards, 2017.
• “Smarter Networking Virtual Learning Series.” 7th Generation Labs, 2017.
• “Networking for Introverts.” Women in Technology International / Society for Professional Consultants, 2016.
• “Strategic Networking: On Beyond Business Cards.” New England Branch of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science, 2015.
• “Strategic Networking.” The Commonwealth Institute, 2015.
• “The Art & Science of Networking: Yes, There Is A Science!” Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy, 2013.
• “Antidote to the 10,000 Name Contact List: Networking for Introverts,” Women in Technology International, 2012.
• “The Art & Science of Networking: Yes, There Is A Science!” The Commonwealth Institute, 2012. Acclaimed as “one of the best sessions TCI has ever sponsored.”
• “The Art and Science of Networking (Yes, There Is a Science!)” Healthcare Businesswomen’s Network – Boston, 2011. Received an overall rating of 4.9 on 5.0 scale.

Managing & Leading

• “Writing for Justice Event: Writing for Journals: An Editor’s Perspective,” Antioch University, November 18, 2021.
• “How to Get The Most Out of Being Mentored,” Healthcare Businesswomen’s Network,  2019.
• “It’s About People!” Mass Cultural Council Institute, 2018.
• “Lessons from Mapping the Nonprofit Talent Ecosystem: Finding the Talent You Need.” Massachusetts Nonprofit Network, 2016.
• “Creating the Conditions for a Positive Group Mentoring Experience.” Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association – Boston Chapter, 2013.
• “Project Manager Success Across Industries: A Roundtable Exploration.” PMI Central – MA Chapter, 2013.
• “Battling Burnout: Engaging Employees When It Matters Most,” ASQ Worcester, 2010.
• “Women in Leadership: Taking a Stand and Making an Impact.” Northeastern University Women’s Leadership Conference, 2007.
• “What are You Going to Do—Fire Me?: Keeping Employees Engaged and Sharing Knowledge through Company Closure, Outsourcing, and Layoffs.” OD Network National Conference, 2007.
• “Generation Gap: Implications for Human Resources.” Eastalco Aluminum Company (Maryland), 1999.

Organization Development

• “The Future of OD: Lessons from Scenario Planning.” Chesapeake Bay OD  Network, 2001.