Kristina Torres's Page

Profile Information

How did you learn about Art of Hosting (please add the date and place) and what attracted you to it?: I learned about Art of Hosting when Ohio State's Women's Place used world cafe and other techniques in their strategic planning. I participated in a few world cafes and found the process intriguing.
I participated in training at the MidOhio food bank in December of 2009. It was the most powerful training I had experienced. For the first time, I understood what I had been seeking for so long - this was the community and practice that I had needed. I finally discovered a language and practice for how I had been working and in my own personal life.
My training helped me discover my purpose and sparked a passion that I had been missing for the previous two years. I found a practice that I could use across all the boundaries and layers of my life - for that gift, I will always be grateful.

Tell us about your experience with Art of Hosting as part of your life and work. What would you say your competence in it is? (new, starting practitioner, experienced practitioner, steward): I am a starting practitioner. I have assisted with several conversations at Ohio State University that used Art of Hosting practices including powerful questions and the chaordic path (for strategic planning), open space, world cafe, circle and check-in. In my work, I am responsible for facilitating conversations among diverse groups often on issues of contention. I am also often facilitating change initiatives and assisting in developing a strategy for achieving a new state.
AoH is a practice I use daily - in hosting myself, focusing on purpose, asking the right questions, being open to answers I don't know, and on creating a space that is safe for tough conversations.
I joke that in Technology and Higher Ed, I sometimes have to practice stealth hosting - I modify practices slightly or only use some pieces based on the comfort level and willingness of my audience.
It is challenging to keep a practice in an environment that drives for results without conversation but I have found my local community to provide mates in exploring the territory together and for providing feedback,

What is the primary field/topic/focus in your hosting work?: I primarily focus on IT strategic planning, team development, strategic planning, and conflict resolution.

Where do you live/work?: I live in Columbus OH and work at The Ohio State University

Are there interests/passions that you'd like to share?: I am looking to gain as much experience as possible and do I am interested in assisting others with strategic planning and helping others in their practices.

At 8:24am on March 25, 2012, Benjamin Aaron Degenhart said…: Hi Kristina, welcome to this Online Community.

If you upload a profile picture i can add you to our collage.

Here are plenty of good ressources and conversations - may this space be meaningful for you and inspire your contribution.

Please don't hesitate to ask Mary Alice or me if you have questions about this site. We are hosting this online space these days.

Benjamin

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