Jim is a facilitation and training expert specializing in the fields of citizen and employee participation, strategic planning, change management, organizational learning, and long-term systemic change. His career in community and organizational development and leadership training spans 40 years and a dozen countries. He has inspired over 70,000 people in his seminars and workshops. During one portion of Jim’s career he led economic development workshops for nearly 100 of Chicago neighborhoods. With his broad knowledge of organizational design, a big piece of Jim’s work is facilitating change and leadership training.

Jim has published and lectured widely. Editing credits include two books, Participation Works: Business Cases Around the World and Government Works: Profiles of People Making a Difference. Jim’s most recent contribution is a chapter titled "Affirmative Facilitation" to The IAF Handbook of Group Facilitation. He has lectured on numerous topics, including personal and organizational change, self-managed teams, the culture of participation, and the recovery of civil society.

Prior to founding Millennia, Jim served for nearly 30 years with the Institute of Cultural Affairs (ICA), a United Nations–recognized private voluntary organization (PVO), where he focused on local community development worldwide. Jim is a graduate of DePaul University, with a master's degree in integrated professional studies with a concentration in organizational transformation. Jim serves on the Adjunct Faculty for DePaul University's School for New Learning.

Jim’s passion for effective group facilitation propelled him to help launch a professional association to meet the field’s growing needs. Now the International Association of Facilitators is active in 30 countries, with a membership base of close to 2,000. Jim is currently working with DePaul University to establish a Certificate Program in Group Facilitation in their division of Continuing and Professional Education.

Download Jim's Curriculum Vitae