A woman with short red hair and glasses smiling at the camera outdoors near a beach or sandy area under a blue sky.

Unofficial resume

This is part of who I AM, part of my spiritual journey, and part my entrepreneurial founder’s story…

All of Marianne’s roles, positions, titles and ever evolving identities

  • Even an only-child, I learned respect and how to be a sister. I learned to share my stuff, my feelings, and myself. We have grown together, on separate paths, while embracing the shared journey of sisterhood.

  • I continue to learn how to hold “both~ands” of shared opinions, history, meanings and stories. I learned the Serentity Prayer, how to speak and write with my voice, and how to forgive, find grace, and love unconditionally.

  • I learned respect, patience, and measured, rational thinking. I always knew I suck at travel planning but now I know how to do a fantastic barred owl call, and how to love someone differently. I have discovered what is/isn’t true and valuable, pros/cons of all sorts of dynamics and the importance of family time. About choosing battles, compromise, negotiation, and still not ever wanting to cook or do the dishes. I also learned to love the south, while still never ever wanting to live there again.

  • I learned to laugh robustly, see and listen to people, and to cry and hold space. I now know what it means to be witnessed, forgiven, buoyed and “real”.

  • I learned to listen. To our Earth with my ear on earthy, red sandstone and to the cycles of nature, bird calls, running rivers, patterns and beauty. I learned depths of questioning purpose and hiking in 100 degree heat. Met my bestie. Bought first car, Rosey Taupe. Broke heart and healed with resilience. Expanded skills. Deepend alignment. Learned to stargaze, find irreverant humor, and thinking about depths of the unknowns.

  • I learn how to work with diverse populations and to meet people where they are at. To advocate. To pay attention to learning styles and to make sure I am not boring as hell. I teach because it helps me learn and grow. Being a teacher is humility at it’s best and it challenges me to be creative and engaging. And I promise that I will receive your feedback if I suck.

A small, fluffy white dog with light brown ears lying on a gray furry bed on a beige fabric sofa.
Smiling woman in patterned blouse holding black folder or tablet, walking forward in a room with wooden walls, other women in the background, some clapping, chairs and large windows in the background.
A smiling middle-aged woman with short, curly blonde hair sitting outdoors, with a background that includes an art piece and a metal structure.
Group of people at a graduation ceremony, some in caps and gowns, with one woman reacting surprised or excited.
Three people in winter clothing smiling for a selfie in a snowy forest, with snow-covered trees in the background.
A woman with short, wavy hair smiling in a black and white photo, wearing a patterned blouse, with other people blurred in the background.

  • I learned the immense value skills like questioning, listening, reframing, summarizing, bottom-lining, validating, affirming, and doing the hard work for yourself, and on yourself. I witnessed myself through others looking within and seeing the good, bad, and ugly. I’ve developed skills to pivot, reframe, and strategize. I coach others to acknowledge, accept, and embrace how our unique humanity is a part of finding our way. I learned spiritual journeys don’t always appear as you expect and sometimes having a guide is a great way to find yourself.

  • I have learned to believe in the transformative power of creativity as a pathway to healing and self-discovery. I have discovered the strengths in speaking truth. To ourselves. To other. To power. How spiritual gifts come in many forms and how to be more humble and at peace. I also learned the depths of my spirit have always been present and with Her Spirit Creates, it feels like full circle.

  • I learned there is always three, or more ,sides to a story. Trust and verify. How to document, how to deliver really difficult news, and how to fight for others who don’t know the depths of such a hard, grueling human service work. How to be professional, hold "the both-ands”, speak truth with a Velvet Hammer and be compassionate, emphatic, and use humor. I learned to be feared for my name, title, and how being the “other” really sucks for so many people.

  • I learned the value of seeing and listening to people, even those who are just doing their best. How to speak truth to power. How to hold the “both~and” of humanity and leadership. And how to know when in leadership— to shut up and listen. And how when my voice mattered the most. Trusting the answers from others and getting out of the way to let people find them. With leadership, I learned my ability to foster courage, change, and growth.

  • I learned how to engage others to source their own intrinsic motivation for problem solving, introspection, asking AND answering hard questions. How to parking lot ideas, validate and acknowledge pain points and strategic wins. I discovered some people love process, as much as some love the freedom of creative brainstorming. I learned tools, models, and best practices really work if you love working with people.

  • I learned some people really don’t like change. Or sometimes they don’t walk the talk. That everyone is trying the best they can, with what they have, and how to see the person who can’t be themselves . I learned nifty acrononyms, tools, models and strategies. And I developed the ability to leverage the human side of project and change management.

I am an Artist

A woman with red hair smiling and pointing at a piece of art in an art gallery, with a black sticker reading "It sold!" over the image. There are ceramic bowls nearby on a table.

I learned being an outsider is kinda fun. I didn’t need a degree, gallery representation, accolades from peers… and I learned that the more I am myself, the more I LOVE being an artist. That it IS about the process so much more than the product for me. I love to rip, shread, tear, mix, slop, all the things and just be in flow. For me, it’s about letting go…letting her creative voice speak, and getting out of the muse’s way. Oh, and to tell the inner critic (aka Desmond- for me!) to “shut the F up!”

I am a spiritual being and journeying

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I am learning how little I know. Humility. Grace. Surrender. Serenity. Patience. Mistake making. Forgiveness. Grief. Joy. Gratitude. I like to write and express myself both through art and my musings. That I fuck up a lot. And I do know that I positively impact people. And that makes it feel amazing to be a spiritual person living a human life. (Nod to Pierre Teilhard de Chardin and Wayne D on that one)

I am a 21st century woman

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I have learned to embrace my rage. My voice. My power of expressive impact and raising feminists. I have really understood what it means to be political, menopausal, and how to live in the grays. I am still unpacking what this means to live now, while reflecting upon my ancestors and my children’s ancestors…and where our world may be. This can make me exestential in a heartbeat.

I am the voice behind Her Spirit Creates

A woman with blond hair and glasses smiling outdoors, holding a dark mug that has a partially visible message, with trees and the sky in the background.

I partner with others in a bold invitation for unapologetic self expression. I think a lot about who we are, the “BOTH AND” of being human, the phrase “I AM” and what it means to own your identity. How to be a human phoenix and all things evolving, the evolution, and revolving.

Let’s create together! Tell me what’s on your mind!