Testimonials

Tracy Gary, Inspired Legacies

“When the future generations look back at who generated the most joy, nurturance, presence, expertise and connections for this period of history, Jean Russell will be in the top echelon of the best of the lists. We named Jean as a co-founder six months into our nonprofit start up, because of her exceptional ability to continually add value and to execute all that was asked of her and more. It's really that simple. She is on top of it, a superlative human being and friend. I would subtitle her SHE WHO CONNECTS HER WORLD AND YOURS, Jean's ability to share and co-create vision, to leap from universe and project to project and her honest & impeccable feedback, has made her a favorite working partner. And that my friends, after 35 years at philanthropy and business, is saying something! Don't miss your opportunity to collaborate. And pay her, please, so we can all keep her at what she does so well: a living demonstration of the generous world we want.”

Top qualities: Great Results, High Integrity, Creative

Tony Deifell, WDYDWYD?, Seeing Beyond Sight, Kaboom!

"I am amazed how prolific Jean is on the web, in her relationships, with ideas and in building community. Jean combines the innate understanding of the web that you'd find in a net native with the sophistication that you'd expect in someone that knows how to navigate the complexities of community formation. If anyone is going to be at the nexus of what's next in social change online, it's her."

Mark Grimes,

"Jean Russell's knowledge of social media, online community, and online community networks is deep in strategy and rich in practical application."

Susan Megy

"Jean is a network weaver extraordinaire -- her talents and the value she brings to all she works with, simply can not be summarized in one paragraph! Jean has always amazed me at her unique ability to tap into the innate worth of every human being, draw upon their skills and experiences and empower them to find their power to realize their visions and accomplish their goals. Jean is a mentor, coach, friend, trainer, listener, collaborator, cheerleader and a visionary change agent. She's remarkably intelligent, intensely compassionate, humble beyond belief -- she's a capable woman with a special talent for communication and expression. Jean has a heart of gold and constantly inspires all of us to be the best we can be."

Steve Crandall, Omneti Research

"Jean is a force of nature. Let me say that again. Jean is a force of nature. Not fire, earthquake or storm, but that of perception, connection and empathy.

She gently guides and listens and watches while she builds her models. I'm reminded of the approach of good anthropologists. Then you have an intellectual dance that illuminates new connections and possibilities.

Her approach is uniquely hers and offers terrific value as it generates (and excuse me for the too worn phrase) truly out of the box thinking, but thinking that happens to be grounded. Her honesty and humor make working with her an absolutely delight."

Ethan McCutchen, Grass Commons (Eugene, OR)

Jean's got serious strategic juju. She led a Grass Commons mini-retreat that got us away from our laptop monitors and looking at opportunities and directions we've been lemming past for months. We left with a new clarity about a business model that resonated with our heads, hearts, and guts. The whole affair was constructed with artistry more typical of conservatories than biz schools. Great balance of meandering and targeting, community and individual, the great cast of possible futures and next Tuesday. She thinks, she does, she shares.” 

Clare Mulvany, Exceptional Lives (Dublin, Ireland)

"Jean guides naturally. Her comments and questions help to shape direction and future. Importantly, she also practices what she preaches, lending her words more weight. Throughout my interactions which Jean, she always sheds new light and shares fresh insights. Her words are considered and concise. She has a rare and natural ability to see through to the core of a problem and help to guide the issue to resolution. Jean focuses on the solution. What's more, she does it in an engaging and pleasant way. I highly recommend Jean's work and talent."

Consulting

Tammi Wallace, TC Wallace Independent Consultant (Houston, TX)

“Jean is an amazing and talented woman. I thoroughly enjoyed working with her and I always look forward to seeing what is next on her horizon. Cutting edge, breaking the boundaries...these are the things that come to mind when I think of Jean. It's an honor and pleasure to be part of Jean's network.”

Thomas Kriese, Executive Producer, Omidyar Network (Redwood City, CA)

“I appreciate Jean's keen insights on how people behave and why they do what they do. I've seen her bring clarity to situations that had been long befuddling to those involved, and I've seen her unlock the potential in people who were trying to find their way. In all, Jean's a great coach, an empathic teacher and a relentless network weaver.” 

 

Eric Harris Braun, Owner, Glass Bead Software, LLC; Harris-Braun Enterprises, LLC, (Canaan, NY)

“Jean's capacity to connect people who should be connected is powerful. She has insight and understanding of many networks, and how and who should be connected in them. I have had personal experience with this rare talent of hers and recommend her on that basis.” 

Philip Cubeta, Volunteer & Citizen, Volunteer Work (Dallas, Texas)

“Jean is intelligent, broadly educated, with great people skills and high ideals. She writes effective copy for financial services work, for philanthropy. She works well with minimal oversight. (This is my recommendation as a citizen. I have not worked with her for my employer.)”

Steve Habib Rose, Co-Founder, Network Weavers Network (Seattle, WA)

“Jean works in a very subtle and profound way to nurture networks and relationships. She has introduced me to a number of excellent contacts, some of whom I am actively working with. I have also observed the way in which she helps move things along without getting in the way. Her services are highly recommended!” 

J. Evonne Heyning, Creative Director, Amoration (Los Angeles, CA)

“Jean cuts through with clarity and love; she shares her fiercely curious nature and deep desire to connect leaders from around the world. She is uniquely capable of organizing communities and international groups, forming a sticky glue to bind networks and keep people engaged. She is a gifted mapmaker and true friend.” 

Hava Gurevich, Director, Art2Art (New York, NY)

“Jean exudes confidence, maturity, self-awareness and profound intelligence. She passionate and compassionate; her thirst for knowledge and personal growth, and her sensitivity to others comes though in everything she does--she is a born leader. I am proud to call her my colleague, and I am fortunate to call her a close friend.”

Coaching

Lewis Hoffman, Technical Director, Grass Commons (Eugene, OR)

“Jean's coaching is inspirational. She has a rare combination of deep emotional intelligence, rigorous intellect, a wealth of knowledge and strategies, and superb adaptability. I feel that no matter what kind of issue I bring up she is able to understand and connect to it, and create a space where I discover solutions that will really work for me. It has brought me new clarity about where I am and where I want to go in life, and translated that clarity into smart and effective next steps. Coaching with Jean has been a great experience that I wholeheartedly recommend.” 

Justin Lowell-Bellew, Founder, Mana Mushrooms, LLC, (Chicago, IL)

“Jean has known me through an interesting stretch of my life. I was dubious about the whole "life coach" business, and do not regret my decision to hire her at all. She has provided insight without meddling in personal matters and made several high-value suggestions regarding the various professional aspects of my life. I am content on my life path and I feel that Jean has helped illuminate the way, enabling me to make the best choices available to me in a series of complicated circumstances.” 

Greg Murray, General Manager, Templeton Galt (Abu Dhabi, UAE)

"...I can say without hesitation that my work with [Jean] has enabled me to break through or navigate around a range of mental roadblocks. It has involved a combination of brainstorming, challenging assumptions and beliefs, and the drawing out of spaghetti-scattered thought patterns and re-arranging them into something that I can more clearly visualize and act upon..." see full quote at Greg Murray

Theresa Williamson, Founder, Catalytic Communities (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

"Jean Russell helped me clear my hurdles to developing strategies for my professional and personal life. With each coaching session my path became clearer, and I discovered the best ways to align my talents with my natural passions. Instead of advising, Jean asked the right questions that got me processing the events of my life differently, so that the path became clear to me, naturally.

 

"She has a natural gift for coaching -- tailoring it to an individual's unique situation with a delivery unburdened by jargon or canned 'best practices.' Jean's coaching was directly responsible for helping me stabilize my work and personal life during the hardest time in both those lives. Without her, Catalytic Communities would be nowhere near where it is today. And without her, I would still be a longshot away from achieving balance in my personal life. I can't say enough to illustrate her impact."

Anne Marie Bellevance, Professor of Play, Sufolla (Boston, MA)

"Jean is a gift. Her active listening and reflective questioning so often create harmonious flow from my out of balance chaos. Her positive soul helps me to visualize my passionate future and explore the journey of moving from reflection to action. She opens her heart and mind which leads me from self discovery to self leadership. Thank you Jean for connecting me to creative clarity!"

Jack Klemeyer (Indianapolis, IN)

"Jean's curiosity helped me discover how I was limiting my own options. In talking with Jean, I realized I could achieve my goals using my own processes. Within two calls, one of my goals went from a dream to a reality. I made it happen. Jean's questions made room for the possibility. She rocks!"

What we notice

People transform themselves and their organizations when the change emerges from within. When people take the time to reflect on their options and opportunities, they can choose intentionally the next steps.

People use words like fresh, organic, clear, and breath with our work, and we take that as a tremendous compliment.

Whether working with coaching clients or consulting clients, we see light pouring forth from our clients and voices get warm and deep with conviction as they are respected for where they are in that moment and championed to reach their goals.