Real change happens when people feel seen, supported, and equipped to take action. The right conditions make it possible for teams to thrive—where clarity replaces confusion, collaboration feels natural, and momentum is sustainable.
Mission, Vision, Values, Culture & Experience
Mission
Help individuals and organizations tap into their creativity, navigate uncertainty with confidence, and build strong, connected teams.
Culture
The best ideas come when people feel safe to experiment, share, and lead.
Engaging & Reflective
Learning should spark curiosity and real conversations.
Progress Over Perfection
Experimentation leads to breakthroughs.
Clarity & Collaboration
When expectations are clear, momentum follows.
Trust & Challenge
The strongest teams support each other and push for growth.
Vision
A world where collaborative leadership and creative problem-solving shape how people work together. The goal is to help teams:
Build systems of collaboration that outlast any one leader.
Create workplaces where every voice is valued.
Develop tools to navigate change with confidence.
Experience
Every session is designed to leave participants feeling:
Energized with new insights.
Seen & heard in a space that values your voice.
Equipped with tools to make a lasting impact.
The work we do together ripples outward—fueling clarity, connection, and momentum.
Values
Curiosity & Experimentation
Bold thinking starts with questioning assumptions.
Play & Reflection
Learning is most powerful when it’s both engaging and introspective.
Collaboration & Transparency
Trust is built through honest conversations and shared ownership.
Mutual Accountability
Great teams are built on follow-through and shared responsibility.
Belonging & Access
Everyone deserves to feel valued and empowered in their work.
These principles guide the work, the approach, and the impact.
Meet Bernie
Facilitator | Strategist | Improv Performer
Bernadeta (Bernie) Baktashian creates spaces where teams connect, collaborate, and push the boundaries of what’s possible. With over a decade of experience in team building, leadership development, and creative problem-solving, Bernie blends play, emergent strategy, and facilitation techniques to help groups navigate complexity and work better together.
As the child of immigrants from Poland and Iran, Bernie brings a deep appreciation for multiple perspectives, adaptive thinking, and community-driven solutions. Currently serving as Board President and Artistic Community Program Director of Empire Arts Collective, Bernie helps foster an environment where artists and creative leaders can experiment, share, and grow.
Beyond facilitation, Bernie co-hosts "Bro, What Are Your Assumptions?", a podcast that unpacks the unspoken beliefs shaping how people see the world.
They hold degrees in Sociology and Environmental Studies from UC Santa Cruz, and bridge systems thinking, human behavior, and creative engagement to help teams move from misalignment to momentum—building cultures where collaboration thrives.
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