Mariah's Biography

Mariah works as a meeting designer, teacher, and visual thinking specialist. She helps clients like non-profit organizations, corporations, and community groups to translate their visions, processes, plans – anything! – into engaging images. Whether she’s listening to a keynote at a large conference or sitting at the table during a small meeting, Mariah captures her clients’ key messages and themes in Visual Records – metaphors, images, and words that she draws in real time. She also loves designing meetings that tap into the wisdom of groups and their ability to think together. Mariah teaches the practice of visual thinking in public and private workshops, building on participants’ innate creativity and desire to communicate effectively. She lives in beautiful Oakland, CA, with her husband and lots of art supplies.

Please contact her at howard.mariah@gmail.com to find out how to bring visuals into your work.

Her clients include: Genentech, Salesforce.com, PepsiCo, Nike, The United Way, GlaxoSmithKlein, AAA, Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), The Veteran’s Association, and many more!

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Team Facilitation at Global Leadership Lab

A highlight of my career as a Visual Facilitator came in the form of the Global Leadership Lab. The Labs are facilitated workshops aimed at bringing together a cross section of thought-leaders who are working on the most challenging issues of today: climate change, re-thinking finance, and transforming traditional business models. The participants of the lab are a "group of thriving, collaborative, learning individuals that drive innovative change for our planet and all of humanity."

I worked in collaboration with a multi-generational group of facilitators to design and host two different labs. At the inaugural Global Leadership Lab, I participated in designing the agenda and at the Lab itself, I worked as a Visual Facilitator (see map below). At the second Lab, I offered my experience as a co-facilitator, leading the group in Improvisational theater exercises, as well as group dialogs and reflections throughout the lab.