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Anna Birney
Director of School of System Change and Global Director, Learning and Community at Forum for the Future
Professional Background
Anna Birney is a highly respected and influential figure in the field of systems change and community development, bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge to her roles in various organizations. Currently, she serves as the Director at Forum for the Future, where she cultivates #systemschange on a global scale. As the leading force behind the School of System Change, Anna is committed to fostering innovative solutions to complex challenges by harnessing the principles of living systems and encouraging transformation through living change.
Throughout her career, Anna has taken on a variety of pivotal roles, each contributing to her expertise in systems change and community engagement. She is a co-initiator of Living Change, a collaborative initiative that seeks to explore and implement transformative practices within communities. With her extensive background, Anna has previously held the position of Global Director for Systems Change Learning and Community at Forum for the Future, where she developed strategies and frameworks to foster collaborative learning among diverse stakeholders.
Before her tenure at Forum for the Future, Anna made significant contributions in several capacities: she served as the Director of the School of System Change, where she implemented educational programs that help individuals and organizations engage with systems thinking; she was the Head of System Innovation Lab, where she focused on driving forward-thinking initiatives to address systemic challenges; and she even held roles as Head of Leadership and Change, as well as Education Manager at WWF. Each role has further honed her abilities in leadership, innovation, and strategic planning, enabling her to develop transformative educational models that inspire change.
Anna's experience also includes acting as a Trustee for The Forgiveness Project, where she supported initiatives focused on reconciliation and healing in communities. As a passionate advocate for inquiry and living systems, she has made invaluable contributions towards realizing impactful and sustainable systems change.
Education and Achievements
Anna Birney holds a distinguished academic background comprising postgraduate and doctoral studies that set the foundation for her career in systems thinking and leadership. She earned a Postgraduate diploma from the University of Bath, focused on CARPP (Collaborative Approaches to Research and Policy Practice), emphasizing her commitment to fostering collaboration in addressing complex issues. Continuing her academic journey, she pursued a PhD in Management, Leadership, and Learning at the University of Lancaster. This advanced study allowed her to delve deeply into the dynamics of leadership and innovative practices within organizational settings. Anna's educational path started with a BA from The University of Manchester, where she laid the groundwork for her future endeavors in systems change and community development.
Anna’s academic and professional pursuits demonstrate her dedication to lifelong learning and her ability to synthesize complex ideas into practical and impactful frameworks. The combination of her education and hands-on experience has played a crucial role in shaping her thought leadership and her strategic vision for systemic transformation across various fields.
Notable Achievements
Throughout her illustrious career, Anna Birney has made significant strides in establishing herself as a thought leader in systems change, leading numerous initiatives that have catalyzed positive societal shifts. Her role in the development of the School of System Change is a prime example, showcasing her ability to integrate innovative educational approaches into the broader context of systems thinking.
Anna’s direct involvement with organizations like Forum for the Future and Living Change has enabled her to spearhead initiatives aimed at connecting people with critical resources and knowledge for effective systems change. Her advocacy work with The Forgiveness Project illustrates her commitment to exploring difficult conversations surrounding healing and reconciliation, essential for fostering social cohesion.
In her previous capacities at WWF and other organizations, Anna has also contributed to impactful educational programs and system-wide innovations that engage diverse stakeholders in meaningful dialogues—aligning with her vision of a more sustainable and equitable future. By focusing on inquiry, living systems, and collaborative learning, Anna has built a robust framework for change that empowers individuals and communities to navigate and steer towards the complexities of their systems.
In summary, Anna Birney’s career is marked by a continuous thread of leadership in systems change, education, and community engagement, underpinned by her comprehensive academic foundation and a relentless passion for fostering living change. Her ongoing commitment to inquiry and her role as a director and leader in the domain of systems change make her an invaluable asset to the organizations she has worked with and the communities she serves.
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Clay offers competitive pricing in the personal CRM market. Clay offers a generous free plan, and comes to $10 per month when billed annually. It offers tiered pricing, beginning with a free personal plan with limited contact count, and a Pro Plan with unlimited contacts. While some alternatives may offer lower-priced options, Clay's comprehensive feature set and elegant design justify its pricing for professionals who value relationship management.
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Yes. Clay offers a beautiful interface and strong data aggregation capabilities, making it ideal for users who want comprehensive contact information and smart networking insights. Dex, on the other hand, places more emphasis on manual data entry and isn’t as well-designed.
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