GLORIA J. BURGESS, Ph.D., Senior Director of Learning at Casey Family Programs, Principal of Jazz, Inc., and Founder and Executive Director of The Lift Every Voice Foundation, engages organizations and individuals in composing and aligning their vision, values, voice, and touch. Gloria’s chargeable and pro bono clients include Microsoft, MSNBC, Qwest, Experience Arts Camp, Vulcan, Inc., Boeing, Adobe Systems, Girl Scouts of America, Providence Health Systems, First A.M.E. Church, New School Foundation, Delta Sigma Theta, Women’s International Network, Attachmate, University of Washington (UW) Medical Center, Health Care for the Homeless Network, Helene Fuld Trust, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Cingular, Noel House, Lifelong AIDS Alliance, Bastyr University’s Leadership Institute of Seattle (LIOS), Northwest Care Management, Bastyr Clinic, International Coach Federation, Valley Medical, Bainbridge Graduate Institute, Texas Department of Family and Child Protective Services, and IslandWood.

Formerly an executive in the computer software industry, Dr. Burgess has held senior leadership positions in human resources, education administration, program and product development, and computer technology with Aldus Corporation, Adobe Systems, Xerox, Citigroup, Bank of America, Honeywell, Bastyr University/LIOS, University of Washington, University of California, and University of Southern California.

A sought-after inspirational speaker, Dr. Burgess’s themes include legacy leadership, legacy living, legacy coaching, and building bridges across cultures. An author, consultant, educator, evocateur, and executive coach, Gloria is also a Distinguished Scholar in Performance Studies and an award-winning poet, director, and performer. She is one of the few speakers who integrates artistic imagination and engaging commentary into dynamic, inspirational keynotes and performances. Dr. Burgess was recently engaged by the South African Embassy in Switzerland to present a keynote honoring the 50th anniversary of the historic Women’s March on the Union Buildings in Pretoria, South Africa, a tribute to the courageous leaders who helped dismantle apartheid.

Fusing memory and presence into her poetry performances and keynotes, Gloria celebrates her deep connection to African-American oral traditions and the evocative, transformative power of language. She has performed her poetry nationally and internationally at conferences, tributes, celebrations, benefit fundraisers, and poetry festivals. A Cave Canem Poetry Fellow, Gloria has worked closely with co-founders Toi Derricotte and Cornelius Eady as well as legacy poets Robert Hayden, Sonia Sanchez, Yusef Komunyakaa, Marilyn Nelson, Nikky Finney, and Kwame Dawes.

Known internationally for her compassion, humor, and commitment to lifting up the human spirit, Gloria uses poetry and music not only to celebrate her cultural heritage and universal values, she uses the arts to encourage others to act with courage, conviction, and hope. She reminds us that as 21st century citizens our principal responsibility is to nurture and give birth to magnificent new worlds. For it is in this capacity that we are called to be stewards, to co-create a shining legacy on behalf of our children and our children’s children.

An Affiliate Professor at the University of Washington and former faculty for Leadership Tomorrow, Dr. Burgess teaches leadership, intercultural relations, and creative mastery. Gloria holds a Ph.D. in Performance Studies and an MBA in Organizational Behavior and Information Systems from the University of Southern California; she has an MA/ABS in Leadership and Consulting from LIOS and graduate and undergraduate degrees in Communication, Education, and Theater from the University of Michigan. Gloria’s diverse Board experience includes the Alliance for Education, Leadership Tomorrow, Washington State Digital Alliance, The Friends of Third Place Commons, and Antioch University.

Dr. Burgess has written three volumes of poetry and a children’s book about her father’s life-changing relationship with William Faulkner, and produced a spoken-word and music CD. Her poetry and commentary have been featured on KJLH, British Public Radio, and NPR. Gloria’s latest book is Legacy Living: The Six Covenants for Personal & Professional Excellence.

www.legacy-living.com www.gloriaburgess.com

KEYNOTES EXECUTIVE COACHING LEADERSHIP CONFERENCES RETREATS
For clients in need, JAZZ, Inc. provides pro bono services. We believe that what goes around comes around.

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