Julienne Ryan

I am a Communication Catalyst who engages my audiences in creative ways that promote constructive interactions and conversations. Skilled in the art of using storytelling to engage my audiences in active listening and laughter, I always focus on my goal of creating deep connections and shared experiences. 

Whether I am presenting a keynote, conducting a training session, or facilitating an event, I am on a mission to show how to:

• develop excellent listening skills 
• ask thoughtful questions using appreciative inquiry techniques
• conduct respectful, authentic conversations
• use creative techniques like story sharing to build engagement
• learn how to communicate to small and large groups 
• build trust and understanding via the spoken word
• utilize the act of storytelling for personal enrichment and career development 
• build productive teams 
• establish positive relationships

I call my  style is Edu-entertainment because my presentations and workshops are designed to deliver compelling messages and educational content with insightful humor and a smile.

I deliver humor with a purpose.

My services cover a wide range of communication, interpersonal skills, and relationship-building topics including leadership, trust, active listening, engagement, knowledge transfer, and diversity and inclusion.

My book, “The Learned-It-In Queens Communication Playbook – Winning Against Digital Distraction”, is out on Amazon! It’s a humorous book about how we deal with our digital communications and what will help.

I have studied many types of storytelling genres and am trained in the Narativ story methodology, brainstorming, acting, and training and stand-up comedy.  I have given storytelling workshops, and presented at poetry sessions.

My professional experience includes teaching, training and developing  young adults and adult learners.  In every instance, I have used the creative arts to engage my clients.

I have worked as an internal or external resource for academic institutions, schools, non-profits and businesses. 

I hold a Master’s degree in Organizational Psychology and Leadership from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a dual B.A. In Psychology/Urban Studies from Manhattan College.   I have served as a mentor and volunteer at iMentor.org, the Taproot Foundation, Baruch College's EOC mentoring program, and INROADS.  

Memberships:

Chair of the Stories in Organizations (SIG) - National Storytelling Network,  SAG-AFTRA,  Association of Training & Development (ATD)  Collective Brains Mentor Network, 

I have taught storytelling, communication, relationship development and soft skill workshops for college students, adults, faculty, therapists, and senior citizens.  These sessions were conducted in social services settings, retirement communities and academic institutions.   

I have provided in-person sessions and have performed virtually via zoom, video, and live podcasts with local and global audiences. 

Here's my Arts Westchester Teaching Video.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=julienne+ryan

To me, teaching is all about performing and engaging your audience.

 My goal as a teacher/trainer is to provide a learning experience that will provide participants with an opportunity to appreciate their skills, value, and potential.

I accomplish this by engaging participants in an active questioning/listening process to facilitate inter-participant communication and learning.  Whether my audience is composed of students or corporate citizens in a training session or young adults working on their degrees or people in transition, they all have one thing in common, they are there to learn something new in a new, fun, and compelling way.  I have presented my story-focused workshops to up-and-coming leaders in the community, young adults, and professionals in transition, using tools to address change and personal development challenges.  In every instance, amazing things have happened when participants come together to share their stories.  

As a  member of ArtsWestchester, I have served as a panelist for the Scholastic Poetry Contest at Writetopia, reviewing students' poetry and prose submissions.  I am a blogger and contribute to Medium and other sites.