HOW WE DO IT
What is Council?
Council is based on the traditional practice of oral storytelling. Participants speak in turns, sharing stories and experiences, rather than opinions. It is encouraged to listen without judgement in an effort to recognize that, despite having differences, there is much in common. Council offers support to hierarchical dynamics, promoting a sense of community and fostering recognition of a shared humanity and interconnectedness.
What is the value added?
It unites team members by creating connections. When people feel connected, they work better with improved collaboration. Council promotes inclusion and supports a diverse work environment improving company culture and increasing employee engagement and retention.
How it works? How it works virtually?
Sessions are typically one hour and can be scheduled according to available time and need. Online meetings work seamlessly and are invaluable to replace those ‘micro-kitchen’ moments that unite team members. Council is extremely effective when bringing in new hires to the team and building on a team’s connectivity. Council is effective for setting goals, working through challenges, and looking at strategies.
Four Intentions of Council
Each participant is given the structure of Council. The four intentions are in place to help create a safe space allowing for ALL team members to be seen and heard. The intentions are to speak from the heart, listen from the heart, to be spontaneous and be focused.
Ken Rosen, Founder/ Principal
Ken Rosen (he/ him) has been developing and facilitating employee engagement programs since 2009. He is a certified Organizational Leadership (Council) trainer who specializes in programming to foster empathy and to improve interpersonal relationships.
Ken was among the first hired to help create and establish an internal team building program (Council) at Snap Inc. (Snapchat), in September of 2016. He was promoted and transferred to the UK in July of 2018, where he built out and managed the Council programs for the offices in Europe, the Middle East, and China. He left Snap in August of 2020 and returned to Los Angeles to focus full time on private consulting through Council.works.
Ken brings this unique and effective learning and development work to organizations both in person and remotely Clients include Slack, Bumble (Global Marketing), TikTok (Germany), Pinterest (Global Marketing, EMEA), Initiative, Connery Consulting, OpenComp, GerberKawasaki, and Great White. Ken currently lives in Los Angeles, California with his wife and two teenage daughters.
Mimi Fuenzalida, Facilitator/ DE&I
Born and raised in Santiago, Chile, Mimi Fuenzalida (she/ her) relocated to Los Angeles where she completed a Masters in Applied Psychology, which has been the foundation for her personal development. Her approach to working in groups is holistic. Mimi is trained in Council and has been incorporating this work in her artistic practice as a photographer, as well as holding circles.
Having been brought up under extreme political uncertainty, which resulted in various relocations— she was exposed to different cultures and perspectives at a young age. This created a deep sense of compassion and desire to foster community. Mimi’s upbringing has informed her interest in human nature, social justice, diversity, and inclusion. She is a fierce supporter of LGBTQ rights. Mimi worked for the AIDS Ride, one of the most successful organizations to raise funds for AIDS related charities through bike rides around the country.
Her work as a visual storyteller, has received international recognition and focuses on shining a light on stories that uplifts and unite. Most recently, producing, shooting and streaming a fundraiser for local charities in London during the beginning of the Pandemic.