This week we return to Cambridge with our client spotlights. Meet the executive director of SoLNA. If you’re interested in learning more about their programming, visit their page (linked below)!
Who are you?
Marc Waxman – Executive Director of The Society for Organizational Learning, North America (SoL NA). SoL NA was founded in part by Peter Senge (author of The Fifth Discipline and senior lecturer right across the street at MIT).
What problem are you trying to help solve?
Simply – making a better world (MABW)! We don’t need anyone to tell us that the world today has an ever-growing set of complex problems. We face them daily – on the personal, local, and global level. SoL NA is committed to helping people use the power and principles of organizational learning to address the complexity in front of us. Two of the key principles of organizational learning are personal mastery and systems thinking. We have found that deep personal development alongside understanding of powerful tools allows for us to confidently delve into even the most thorny issues.
How is your company changing the world?
Again, simply – we help people develop their personal capacities so they can produce the results they want to see. Our biggest impact is made through direct work with individuals and teams. We do customized training for organizations, but we are especially proud of our public programs (several of which are facilitated by Peter Senge). I strongly encourage CICers to check out our upcoming program in December – Applied Organizational Learning for Business Results – it’s local, it’s cost-effective, and it could change the way you think about your work! Please check it out here.
Why do you like being a part of the bigger CIC puzzle?
I am new to the scene at CIC, but already I have sensed the palpable positive energy of the place. Being surrounded by that energy when I work at the CIC is uplifting.
What do you hope your company’s next milestone will be?
We are in the midst of a strategic planning process. The most important outcome of that process will be to authentically engage with our broad community to “lead from the emerging future” (quote taken from the concept of Theory U).
What’s cool about your team?
Our team is small, but committed. And, we all believe in the power of organizational learning to address the issues the world faces today.
What causes are you passionate about?
Before coming to SoL NA, I spent 22 years working in public education with the bulk of that time working in under-resourced urban areas. It would be an understatement to say that I am passionate about k-12 education.
Who is your hero?
My wife!!! Almost 20 years of marriage with her has taught me more about the world and myself than anything else. Lately, I became vegan because of her, and I am developing an increasing affinity to animals.
What is your biggest fear?
My kids!!! Well, not my kids per se. I fear for their future, both because of the personal challenges of parenthood and because of the slow pace of positive change I see in the world they will inherit.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
Sorry for being sappy – but, building off of the two questions above… being a husband for almost 20 years and a father for 13 years is what I am most proud of.
What is something most people don’t know about you?
I love to run! And, I am a certified ChiRunning Instructor.
