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Adrienne S. Harris
Leadership Story Facilitator and Coach
WHAT I BELIEVE AND WHAT I DO
As a leadership communications professional, I am highly persuaded by the idea that reality is socially constructed through narrative.
Many of the stories we tell ourselves and each other are life-giving, centered on high social ideals that lead to positive outcomes. Sometimes, however, the stories we tell (or that others tell) are life-draining, filled with less-than-positive ideals that lead to less-than-positive outcomes for many people in our world.
Thank goodness we can change our stories!
I work with changemakers -- leaders who are committed to making a positive impact -- to help them craft and tell better stories. I facilitate conversations with them and their stakeholders to develop powerful stories. and coach them to deliver those stories powerfully.
If you a changemaker on a mission, please reach out. I would love to talk about how I can support you.
MY EXPERIENCE
Leadership Story Facilitator and Coach
Swann Consulting - March 2008 to Present
Provide leadership communications consulting to leaders of colleges and universities, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies. Services include strategy and message development, facilitation, speechwriting, and communication skills training and coaching.
Recent clients: Amani Women Center; Atlanta Citizen Review Board
Inspiring Educators
Training Facilitator/Coach - June 2021 to Present
Design and facilitate virtual and in-person workshops for a national leadership development company that helps public education and nonprofit leaders enhance their communications skills. Topics include leadership presence, relationship building, creating inspiring narratives, navigating difficult conversations, and storytelling.
Recent clients: Teach for America; North10 Philadelphia; New Blue Project; New York Charter School Association
Training Facilitator/Coach
Ariel - March 2015 to Present
Facilitate virtual and in-person workshops for an international training and development company that helps business and corporate leaders achieve success through powerful, authentic, and purposeful communications. Topics include leadership presence, creating and delivering presentations, strategic storytelling, and business writing.
Recent clients: Harvard Executive Education; Capital One; Abbott; Red Hat
MY EDUCATION
Master of Arts, Communication– Georgia State University
Bachelor of Arts, Sociology– Emory University
HOW A BEDTIME STORY LED ME TO MY MISSION
The seed that ultimately blossomed into my work as a leadership story facilitator and coach was planted the night my Aunt Francine told me a different kind of bedtime story.
Not a fairy tale, but a true story about Hannibal, a great military commander from the ancient city of Carthage on the north coast of Africa. Through the vivid picture her words painted in my mind, I witnessed the colorful pageantry of Hannibal successfully leading his army against Rome with an audacious and creative strategy, crossing the Alps on elephants to surprise enemy troops from behind.
Little wonder I was attracted to a career that centers on stories and storytelling. After earning a master’s degree in communication, I held jobs as a freelance journalist, managing editor, publications manager, media relations manager and speechwriter, and worked independently as a leadership communications consultant, training facilitator and coach.
Along the way I learned that the most impactful stories aren’t just about what has happened in the past but also, perhaps more importantly, about what can happen in the future.
So today, I work with changemakers – leaders who are focused on creating a better future – to help them craft and tell better stories to usher in that future.
Why? Because I believe that with the right story, anything is possible.
