Working with What is Alive
What wants to happen? Let’s find out!
Stina is a steady, trusted guide for complex work.
I work with senior leaders, groups, and organizations at moments when complexity is high and the usual approaches no longer work.
My role is to design and hold the conditions—of time, attention, structure, and relationship—where people can engage honestly, see clearly, and make decisions that endure.
“Stina’s ability to hold space for relational growth & visionary planning made us a bolder, more cohesive, & forward-thinking team.”
— Shikira Porter
6 Dimensions of Stina’s work
Containers
How the work is held
Creating the container is the intentional design of time, space, purpose, & participation. The quality of the container shapes everything that follows. This includes→
- the intention(s) of the work
- how long we work together
- who’s included (and who’s not)
- the agreements that govern how we engage
- the desired outcomes and process for getting there
- visual charts to steady attention & participation
When a container is well designed and held, it creates a generative field: one in which clarity, learning, & resolution can emerge without being forced.
Relationships
How people meet each other in the work
I understand relationships as the primary medium through which organizational change occurs. So I prioritize→
- how people relate to one another
- how authority and responsibility are held
- how information flows (or doesn’t)
- how trust is built, strained, or repaired
- how culture is lived in daily practice
Relational depth is not a “soft” concern—it is the medium through which all meaningful coordination, decision-making, and change occurs. Alignment becomes possible not through agreement alone, but through mutual understanding and respect.
living systems
How meaning & decisions move
I approach organizations as living systems rather than static structures. My attention here is on seeing patterns→
- how information flows
- where decisions are made
- how roles are defined
- how feedback loops operate.
Rather than isolating issues, I situate them within the larger system—helping leaders see how strategy, culture, structure, & behavior are inter-connected. I often do this using visual charts. This systemic clarity supports better decision-making.
When people can see the system they are part of, they are better able to act responsibly within it.
The Human Being
How leadership is lived
I work with leaders as whole human beings, not just as role-holders.
When leaders are resourced & self-aware, the entire system benefits. This includes→
- Staying present under pressure
- Acting from awareness, not reactivity
- Caring for the self to lead well
This means attending to personal resourcefulness, self-awareness, & wellbeing alongside responsibility & performance.
The wider Field
What surrounds & shapes the work
I attend to the wider context shaping the work. Organizations exist within larger social, cultural, & historical systems, & leadership choices ripple outward. So I consider→
- Cultural & historical context
- Power, equity, & belonging
- Responsibility beyond the immediate moment
Attending to the wider field helps ensure that clarity and alignment are not at the expense of integrity, justice, or care for the broader system.
Stina’s Presence
How I show up in the work
My presence—how I listen, pace, & respond in real time—is a central part of the work itself. Listen to how I think, speak, & hold complexity in practice→
LISTEN HERE “Five questions and one wild story fempreneurs to watch for”. Rea Hailley talks with Stina Brown.
If you’re curious whether this is a fit, you’re welcome to reach out.
An Ethic of Care & Responsibility
This work is guided by a strong ethic of care.
- respect for people & organizations
- attention to fairness, justice, & power dynamics
- clarity about roles, authority, & responsibility
- commitment to confidentiality & trust
client comments
“Grounded. Great listener. Excellent feedback. Thoughtful facilitation. Also you are just super fun and great to hang out with.”
— Open Agency Network Mastermind Retreat Principal
more client feedback
compelling, highly-engaging virtual meeting
“Stina and her team took on the challenge of transforming a three-day in-person meeting for a philanthropic learning collaborative into a compelling, highly-engaging virtual meeting. The ease, the co-creation of an environment for authentic connection and learning, and the use of beautiful, real-time graphic recording was just what our over-Zoomed nervous systems needed. Wonderful to work you and your incredibly talented team!” — Systems Understanding for Social Impact
Stina’s an amazing facilitator
“Stina’s an amazing facilitator. She is a master at guiding a group through the really deep work of exploring personal and professional challenges and vulnerabilities that stand in the way of progress. She creates a structure for the work that is inquisitive, comprehensive, safe, and fun. She makes what could be an otherwise very draining experience feel uplifting.” — Open Agency Network
Sharp, INtuitive Partner
“Stina is a sharp, intuitive partner who knows how to hold and facilitate powerful strategy and reflection spaces. I always trust that spaces she’s responsible for facilitating will be intentional, brave and well-worth the time and energy invested. — Open Agency Network Principal
