If we don't listen to the stories we're telling, and the stories told about us, we run the risk of overlooking some of the greatest indicators of success or failure in the business world. Sometimes it takes an outside ear to hear these stories, and clearly identify the ways they create interpersonal networks that make or break an organization. You can do all the branding and training and reorganization work you want, but until your client-approach and company culture match your intention, the changes you want will be slowed or even unconsciously sabotaged.

Dr. Carol Burbank

Carol Burbank offers her clients an understanding, experienced ear and a clear, practical vision for effective problem-solving. She began her career as a teacher and administrator in public schools and universities, but has worked in the corporate world, non-profits, and in journalism. She is an expert in the developing field of Performance Studies, and received her Ph.D. in 1998 from Northwestern University.

"Performance Studies is the study of the stories and performances that define us, from our cultural norms and entertainments to our private rituals and roles. Practically, it trains a facilitator to create a space where self-knowledge, effective communication, and clear intention and goals can open up new possibilities for success and innovation."

Her research explored the ways organizations and individuals embrace or resist change, and the power of humor, collaboration, and negotiation to ease these inevitable transitions. She researched innovative change agents as part of the MacArthur Foundation's Fellows Program, also known as the "genius grants." She has taught at the University of Maryland, College Park, where she served as a consultant for the University of Maryland's James McGregor Burns Academy of Leadership. She is a Fellow at the Maryland Institute of Technology in the Humanities, researching cutting edge applications of persuasion and information management on the World Wide Web.

To complement her experience, she offers proven, cutting-edge strategies for cultural analysis, leadership and community development. In 2003, she became one of the first consultants trained to administer the Organization and Team Culture Indicator . Based on the theories of Carl Jung, the OTCI assesses an organization or team's unconscious archetypal stories. With a trained consultant, organizations can use this information to understand and articulate their core values and strengths. In the process, the OTCI supports developing programs for building stable systems, achieving results, creating and sustaining community, and fostering learning and growth. She is also trained to administer and interpret the Pearson Marr Archetype Indicator , a complementary tool for evaluating the effectiveness of individual change agents through the constellation of archetypes shaping their values, behavior, and relationships.

As an educator and trainer, she is experienced in developing vital and engaging strategies for developing training programs and supporting ongoing employee integrity and empowerment.   She is an expert in Problem-Based Learning, a curriculum development and delivery system that builds problem-solving abilities as well as helping community members acquire necessary knowledge and skills. Problem Based Learning can be applied in academic and corporate development plans as a model for activating individual and group responsibility for flexible, sustainable growth. She has also worked extensively with distance learning and web-design conceptualization, developing new models for technology-based learning, animations, and interactive "branding" on the web.

She has presented workshops and papers at national and international academic conferences, Rotary Clubs, Women in Technology and other business organizations.