Viola Spolin: The Mother of Improv — And the Healing Power of Play
MEDIUM
July 28, 2025
This article explores the life and legacy of Viola Spolin, the pioneer of improvisational theatre. Originally developed as a tool to help refugee children process trauma and connect across language barriers, Spolin’s theatre games evolved into the foundation of American improv and comedy institutions like Second City. Her methods — rooted in play, presence, and empathy — are now widely used beyond the stage in education, therapy, and workplaces to foster creativity, emotional resilience, and authentic communication. The article highlights the timeless relevance of Spolin’s work, especially for adults navigating stress and complexity.
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Tags: Culture, Diversity and Inclusion, Health and Wellness
The process of giving birth to a concept…
Medium
April 10, 2024
Through a process of writing, reflecting, and embracing mistakes, a new concept of therapy emerged. By allowing simple actions to unfold step by step, creation took over logic, leading to a transformative moment. Witnessing a tactile dancer’s performance brought deep emotional release and the realization that creativity itself is a form of existence: “I Create — therefore I am.”
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Tags: Behavioral Science, Creativity, Health and Wellness
Cultures and Cultural Intelligence (CQ).
Medium
December 05, 2023
Experiencing reverse cultural shock after returning home highlighted how deeply cultural layers—national, regional, family, and personal—shape perception. Cultural intelligence is not just a skill but a mindset: curiosity, motivation, and openness turn the challenge of difference into a joyful journey of discovery. Just as languages provide dozens of words for love or shades of white, every culture adds richness to life. Embracing this diversity transforms reverse cultural shock into a celebration of shared heritage.
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Tags: Culture, Education, International Relations
What is there for us in talking to others: being able to voice our own thoughts and hear ourselves or…
Medium
September 20, 2023
Human connection provides more than companionship — it offers reflection, validation, and clarity. Through shared silence, questions, and conversation, we unlock insights that are hard to reach alone. Just as life weaves experiences into a meaningful fabric, so too do trusted relationships help us make sense of our path.
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Tags: Creativity, Culture, Mental Health
There is smth in a creative mess but it is only when creating the order I manage to see the whole picture much clearer.
Medium
September 15, 2023
Reordering years of awards, diplomas, and publications revealed a personal journey across disciplines — from ecological education and scientific research to fashion, design, and linguistics. By grouping experiences through a design-thinking lens, three cornerstones emerged: sustainability, creativity, and education. Clarifying these pillars not only brought personal meaning but also defined the values to align with future partners and opportunities.
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Tags: Creativity, Education, Sustainability
Procrastination is the best way to create stress for my later self, however when you accept it as a part of you the game changes…
Medium
September 14, 2023
Procrastination can feel like a weakness, but reframed, it becomes a creative pause — a space where new ideas emerge and self-reflection deepens. From sharpening pencils to sketching fashion designs while waiting in airports, these delays transform into opportunities for inspiration, storytelling, and growth. Sometimes, the time we “lose” is the living we actually need.
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Tags: Creativity, Culture, Mental Health
What is work culture for you & does it have anything to do with productivity?
Medium
August 28, 2023
Workplace culture directly shapes employee happiness, retention, and productivity. By fostering safe spaces, encouraging smiles, and aligning shared values, companies unlock creativity, faster problem-solving, and stronger results. Data now backs what experience has long shown: happy employees fuel successful businesses.
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Tags: Culture, HR, Mental Health
It is definitely a challenge to both rethink the whole Industry and to stop consuming, but worth trying!
https://medium.com/@anitaraymondgrey/it-is-definitely-a-challenge-to-both-rethink-the-whole-industry-and-to-stop-consuming-but-worth-f6b98202c71c
August 08, 2023
A Decade Without Buying New Clothes
What began as a student manifesto exercise evolved into a ten-year commitment to not purchasing new garments. This conscious choice, initially driven by financial and creative constraints, grew into a sustainable practice that redefined personal consumption habits and sparked innovation through working with waste and preloved textiles. The practice aligns with broader movements in slow fashion and second-hand consumption, showing how individual commitments can contribute to systemic change in the fashion industry.
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Tags: Design, Design Thinking, Sustainability
What Value Could You Bring to Our Business?
Medium
July 27, 2023
Exploring Professional Value Through Reflection
An exercise prompted by a simple interview question — “What value could you bring to our business?” — became a deep process of self-assessment and documentation. Through structured note-taking, idea collection, reflection, and grouping, 68 distinct value points were identified and organized into five categories: personal brand and network, outside relationships, product/service development, team-focused practices, and business process systematization. What began as a response to a call evolved into a comprehensive framework of professional contributions, highlighting how reflection and free writing can uncover overlooked strengths and provide material for future growth.
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Tags: Business Strategy, Emerging Technology, Personal Branding
Job Interview as a way to evolve professionally
Medium
July 14, 2023
Interview as a Tool for Growth
An interview can serve as more than just an assessment — it can be a reflective tool. The process revealed neglected areas such as compiling success stories, gathering references, and articulating values offered to an organization. What seemed at first like a routine step became an exercise in clarity, helping to define impact, structure professional contributions, and inspire the creation of a portfolio demonstrating organizational transformation and growth.
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Tags: HR, Leadership
Made out of Plastic
Medium
January 06, 2019
This article traces the cultural, historical, and environmental journey of plastic — from its revolutionary invention to its devastating ecological impact. Structured as theatrical “episodes,” it reflects on consumerism, waste, and the possibilities of upcycled PET fabric, urging a shift toward sustainable design and critical awareness of the plastic age.
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Tags: Climate Change, Creativity, Sustainability
Plastic People: A Freshman’s Day Performance
Kazan National Research University Newspaper
October 01, 2014
At KNITU’s Freshman’s Day, students presented the performance “Plastic People,” a fashion show inspired by Shakespeare’s idea that “all the world’s a stage.” The collection, made from recycled materials, highlighted themes of artificiality and consumerism while supporting the Green Fashion movement. After weeks of rehearsals, the student models proudly showcased their creativity and responsibility on stage.
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Tags: Creativity, Culture, Sustainability
A Student-Designer Day [article, Student Union]
KNITU Student Union digital publication
March 01, 2014
It sounds like Anita was contributing to the Student Union Newspaper by writing articles that focused on the social life of the university. That would typically involve covering aspects such as:
Campus Events & Activities: Reporting on student gatherings, concerts, club fairs, and cultural festivals.
Student Experiences: Highlighting stories of individuals or groups, traditions, and what makes university life unique.
Clubs & Organizations: Showcasing the roles of student societies, fraternities/sororities, sports teams, and interest groups in shaping social life.
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Tags: Creativity, Culture, Education
A Student-Designer Day
KNITU Student Union digital publication
January 03, 2014
The article describes the gala concert of “Freshman’s Day” at Kazan National Research Technological University, where first-year students showcased creative performances in music, dance, and theater. The event fostered student integration, celebrated talent, and concluded with awards for the best institutes.
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Tags: Creativity, Culture, Education
Service Activities 2 [study guide]
Pero Publishign House, Moscow
December 30, 2019
The theoretical and methodological foundations of running a business in the service sector are revealed. Particular attention is paid to the issues of service quality. Requirements for the service delivery by organisational personnel, peculiarities of the staff interactions with the clients in the course of sales and service delivery are enlisted. Recommendations for the improvement of services in modern conditions are suggested.
Designed for bachelor's degree students in the following areas of training: service, Tourism, & Hospitality industry.
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Tags: Business Strategy, Customer Experience, Education
Service Delivery Process Design [study guide]
Publishing House Universitetskaya Kniga, Kursk
January 11, 2019
This book explores the theoretical and practical foundations of managing enterprises in the service sector. It introduces the design and functioning of the service provision process, positioning service industry enterprises as complex production systems. Different types of service enterprises and their organizational structures are examined, alongside the fundamentals of labor organization and workflow management.
Special attention is given to customer service as a critical factor in building competitiveness and achieving recovery in dynamic markets. The book also reviews the various types and forms of customer service, emphasizing their role in shaping client satisfaction and loyalty. Finally, it provides guidance on strategies for creating and developing service enterprises in modern economic conditions.
Designed for students in service, tourism, and hospitality, as well as future managers, the book serves as a comprehensive introduction to the principles of service enterprise management.
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Tags: Business Strategy, Customer Experience, Education
100 Stories on Values and Attachment [book]
Imak, Istambul
January 08, 2017
This piece is a collection of personal stories about garments with deep emotional value. Each item – a shirt, hoodie, jumper, vest, or blouse – carries memories tied to loved ones, life experiences, or identity. Rather than material worth, their importance comes from the sentimental attachments, comfort, and memories they evoke. Together, the stories highlight how clothing can become symbols of relationships, moments, and self-expression, transcending consumer culture.
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Tags: Culture, Customer Experience, Sustainability
Textile and Fashion Technology [study guide]
Kazan National Research Technological University
October 01, 2015
The study guide Textile and Fashion Technology provides theoretical and practical material on the fundamentals of textile production, garment design, and fashion technologies. It covers modern approaches to fabric processing, cutting, and sewing techniques, while also addressing issues of design development and technological innovation in the light industry. The guide is intended for students of textile and fashion programs, offering both subject-specific vocabulary and professional competencies necessary for future specialists in the field.
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Tags: Creativity, Design, Education
The Technology of Garment Making [textbook]
Kazan National Scientific Technological University
January 11, 2015
The textbook contains exercises aimed at developing practical skills in the use of thematic English vocabulary in the field of clothing and footwear production. It also includes thematic texts devoted to the main aspects of fabric manufacturing, cutting and sewing processes, as well as the development of product design and equipment for their production.
It is intended for 3rd- and 4th-year students of the Faculty of Light Industry Technologies and Fashion, studying the discipline “Foreign Language in the Professional Sphere” within the bachelor’s program 29.03.01 “Technology of Light Industry Products.” The textbook was prepared at the Department of Fashion and Technologies.
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Tags: Creativity, Design, Education
ISAAC NEWTON 1643–1943 [book]
Fan Publishing House, Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tatarstan ·
June 01, 2013
This 1943 volume was published in Kazan to commemorate the 300th anniversary of Isaac Newton’s birth (1643–1943). It collects scholarly papers presented at the Kazan Aviation Institute, covering Newton’s life and career, his portraits and iconography, his major contributions to optics, and his philosophical ideas. The book is supplemented with reproductions of portraits of Newton and his contemporaries.
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Tags: Culture, Innovation, Leadership
Features of Brain Function and the Role of Teachers in Creating Conditions for a Full-Fledged Learning Process
The University of Talents
October 24, 2017
The current education system prioritizes academically gifted youth, overlooking children with dyslexia, ADHD, and other learning differences. This leads to stigma and reduced motivation. Evidence shows that such students often possess high creative potential. Western models emphasize individualized support and creative development, while alternative approaches like Waldorf and Montessori highlight the need for flexible, inclusive education that nurtures diverse talents.
All-Russian Scientific and Practical Conference with International Participation
Talent Management: Strategies and Technologies for Developing Human Capital and the Innovative Potential of the Territory
Section 3. The Teacher and Mentor in Working with the Talents and Abilities of Children and Youth
Presentation
Title: Features of Brain Function and the Role of Teachers in Creating Conditions for a Full-Fledged Learning Process
Speaker: Anita A. R. (Anita Raymond Grey)
Co-author: Khissomeleeva L. G.
Conference Details
Dates: November 24–25, 2017
Venue: Innopolis, Republic of Tatarstan
Organizers: Kazan National Research Technological University; Kazan Open University of Talents 2.0
Publication: Herald of the University of Talents, No. 2 (2017), Kazan, pp. 101–103
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Tags: Creativity, EdTech, Mental Health
Integration of Traditional Tatar Costume Elements into Contemporary Pattern-Making Practices [article, peer-reviewed articles digest]
Kazan National Research University
January 07, 2016
This conference proceedings volume (2016) compiles research on the design, stylistics, and materials of modern Muslim and national clothing. It addresses both traditional and innovative approaches, highlights methods of costume design, and discusses training creative professionals for the fashion and textile industries. The book serves as a platform for sharing scientific and practical insights among educators and researchers in Russia.
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Tags: Culture, Design, Design Thinking
Wilhelm von Humboldt’s typological classification of languages [article]
Nijzniy Novgorod Linguistic University
March 17, 2006
Wilhelm von Humboldt classified languages into four main types: isolating, agglutinative, inflectional, and incorporating (polysynthetic). He believed languages developed in stages toward structural “completeness,” with inflectional languages like Greek and Sanskrit at the top. Although his stage-based theory later lost influence, his typological categories remained and became the foundation of modern linguistic typology.
Grey (Davledgareeva), A. (2006). Wilhelm von Humboldt. In History of the Culture of the Countries of the Studied Language. Linguistics: Proceedings of the 3rd Student Scientific and Practical Conference, Kazan, March 17, 2006 (pp. 238-241). Kazan: Nizhny Novgorod State Linguistic University (Kazan branch).
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Tags: Analytics, Diversity and Inclusion, Education
The Properties of Coatings Based on Epoxy Resins ED-20 and Hardener AF2 Containing as Pigment Manganite Barium [article, peer-reviewed journal]
Bulletin of Kazan Technological University
January 12, 2015
The study investigates protective epoxy coatings based on ED-20 resin with AF-2 hardener, filled with manganese-containing pigments (MSBX). These coatings, reinforced with micaceous iron oxide and zinc oxide, were tested for corrosion resistance on steel panels. The results show that manganese-containing pigments significantly improve the anticorrosive and physico-mechanical properties of coatings. Two optimized primer formulations were developed, ensuring high adhesion, durability, and protective ability against corrosion.
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Tags: Engineering, Manufacturing, Sustainability
The Crimean Khanate and the Great Horde (1440s–1500s). A Fight for Primacy. In: The Early Modern Period of Crimean Khanate (16 – 18 century) Between East and West [article translated into Russian]
Medieval Turkic-Tatar State. Issue 5 (Collected Papers). Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tatarstan
May 01, 2013
The text traces the breakup of the Golden Horde after 1419 and the rise of successor Tatar states—especially the Crimean Khanate—alongside the Great Horde. It highlights the Crimean Khanate’s decades-long rivalry with the Great Horde, shifting alliances with Poland-Lithuania and Muscovy, and key moments such as the “stand on the Ugra River” (1480) and Mengli Giray’s defeat of Sheikh Ahmed (1502). While scholars debate whether 1480 or 1502 marks the Horde’s end, the paper argues that the Crimean Khanate effectively inherited the political legacy of the Jochid Ulus, with Russia later claiming its own succession through conquest.
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Tags: Culture, International Relations, Leadership
The Khazars’ Participation in the Creation of an Independent Abkhazian (Abasgian) Kingdom [article translated]
Presa Universitară Clujeană
April 01, 2013
This scholarly article by B.L. Hamidullin (Kazan) examines the role of the Khazars in the formation of an independent Abkhazian kingdom during the early Middle Ages. It explores debates around the ethnogenesis of the Abkhaz people, analyzing sources from antiquity to the 18th century, including chronicles, inscriptions, and archaeological evidence. Special focus is given to the reign of Leon II (8th century), whose kinship with Khazar rulers and political alliances with Byzantium and neighboring Caucasian peoples helped secure Abkhazia’s independence from Byzantine control. The work highlights how Khazar military and political support shaped Abkhazia’s statehood and identity, later recognized in both Georgian and foreign sources.
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Tags: Culture, International Relations, Leadership
Petition Campaigns of the Tatars and Bashkirs of the Volga–Ural Region, 1892–1894 [translated article]
Studia et documenta Turcologica.
April 01, 2013
The article by I.K. Zagidullin examines petition campaigns of Tatars and Bashkirs in the Volga–Ural region (1892–1894), sparked by imperial attempts to control Muslim schools, restrict religious texts, and enforce Russification. Rural communities, clerics, and merchants organised collective petitions to defend their religious-cultural autonomy, education system, and freedom of worship. These campaigns led to the suspension of discriminatory decrees and highlighted Muslims’ resistance to assimilation, showing their growing political and social activism in late imperial Russia.
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Tags: Culture, Education, Leadership
Modernism in Tatar Literature at the Beginning of the XX century: General and Particular [article translated]
Presa Universitară Clujeană
March 01, 2013
The article surveys how early-20th-century Tatar literature engaged with European modernism, tracing a shift (c.1905–1917) from Enlightenment-inspired didacticism to aesthetic experimentation. It shows how writers blended realism, romanticism, and modernist techniques (symbolism, impressionism, stream of consciousness) while keeping a strong national form and identity, and how philosophy, music, and visual art informed this literary synthesis.
Zagidullina, D. F. Modernism in Tatar Literature at the Beginning of the 20th Century: General and Particular. Translated by A. R. Grey. Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tatarstan, 2013.
Studia et Documenta Turcologica, vol. 1, 2013, p. 15.
UDC 821.512.
ISSN-L 2344-6560.
Cluj-Napoca: Babeș-Bolyai University, Institute of Turkology and Central Asian Studies, Presa Universitară Clujeană.
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Tags: Creativity, Culture, Education
2429 ValuesJam GuestSession POSITIVEIMPACT Ft. Anita Grey
YouTube
July 05, 2024
In this ValuesJam Guest Session with Anita Grey, we explore the values that guide her professional journey — trust, honesty, integrity, curiosity, and playfulness. Anita shares how these principles influence her work as an educator, sustainability advocate, and public speaker, and how they connect to her mission of using design, science, and technology to create positive social and ecological impact.
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Tags: Creativity, Design, Education
Leaders Talk with Anita Grey | Sustainability and Innovation: Global Events and Design
YouTube
May 20, 2024
How sustainable design can address social and ecological issues.
The integration of scientific and technological developments in sustainability.
Insights from Anita's work on international projects and major events.
The role of cultural understanding in successful project management.
Anita's journey in sustainable fashion and innovative design solutions.
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Tags: Design, Innovation, Sustainability
Sense and Sustainability with Anita Grey
YouTube
October 05, 2022
The Style Moguls Podcast returns with a new episode featuring Anita Grey — a sustainable fashion designer, educator, and expert with over 20 years of experience and four academic degrees.
In this conversation, Anita shares her vision of ethical and sustainable fashion, showing how design is not only about materials but also about people, cultural codes, and values. She explores how traditions can inspire innovation and how fashion can become a force for protecting the planet while celebrating diversity.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone who cares about the future of fashion, culture, and sustainability.
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Tags: Design, Sustainability, Transformation
From Reflection to Enterprise: How Maasai Mothers in Nairobi Are Discovering Their Entrepreneurial Voice
Medium
September 06, 2025
In Nairobi’s Maasai community, single mothers — many without formal education — are proving that entrepreneurship can start anywhere. Through a 10-week grassroots MBA program, they have turned self-reflection and resourcefulness into a collective catering project. Their story shows how small businesses, which make up over 90% of enterprises worldwide, are not just local solutions but the true backbone of the global economy.
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Tags: Entrepreneurship, Startups, Transformation
Laughter, Honesty, and Empowerment: Reflections on Values and Resilience in Cross-Cultural Contexts
Medium
August 02, 2025
“The article reflects on a workshop with single mothers from a Maasai community, where participants identified laughter and honesty as core values for resilience and leadership. It explores how positive emotions like laughter foster coping, bonding, and empowerment, supported by theories from positive psychology and cross-cultural research. The piece also introduces the ‘Personal Universe’ exercise for self-discovery and capability building, and concludes with the author’s own commitment to making laughter a central life value.”
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Tags: Behavioral Science, Creativity, Culture
What Does Happiness Look Like when Crafted by Hand? A Deep Dive into Workshop on Material, Memory, and Meaning.
Medium
July 21, 2025
This article captures a unique team-building workshop at the historic Furland atelier in Moscow, where artisans explored the concept of happiness through hands-on making. Using discarded materials, meditation, and emotional design techniques, participants created personal “happy charms” while strengthening team dynamics and fostering creative collaboration. Rooted in neuroscience, sustainability, and mindfulness, the workshop offered a powerful group experience that merged emotional insight with innovative thinking—proving that crafting together can be both healing and transformative.
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Tags: Creativity, Design Thinking, HR
2nd year Bachelor’s program, Kazan State Financial University – first time working with Gen Z from this cultural context.
MEDUIM
December 02, 2023
Working with Gen Z across different countries revealed how cultural contexts shape values, behaviors, and learning styles, despite the shared global influence of media and technology. An induction-based approach—observing, generalizing, and checking patterns—proved vital for creating genuine, trusting spaces. The key takeaway: inner resilience and peace are essential when guiding younger generations. No matter the background, Gen Z seeks the same thing: to be noticed, heard, and recognized.
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Tags: Behavioral Science, Culture, Education
Sustainable Fashion Week 2023 & Pilula Game: Time & Fashion.
Medium
September 29, 2023
An online workshop during Sustainable Fashion Week 2023 explores the theme of time in fashion. Using collage and design thinking, participants will upcycle magazines into art and fashion illustrations, reflecting on personal relationships with time while engaging in a meditative, creative process. Selected works may even be featured in a fashion publication.
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Tags: Creativity, Design Thinking, Sustainability
I detained them after work for 45 min to write 2 pieces of text and they were upset for that session to be so short.
Medium
September 06, 2023
Workshops became a space where managers explored creativity, values, and collaboration through structured play and reflection. By balancing freedom with rules, participants defined both organizational and personal values, while subtle sustainable practices were adopted naturally without lectures. The result was a safe, engaging environment where people laughed, learned, and left empowered.
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Tags: Creativity, Culture, Sustainability
If you are interested in games for adults – call me!
Medium
August 31, 2023
A workshop inspired by years of repurposing and upcycling turns playful activities—like sitting on the floor and “unpicking jeans”—into tools for reconnecting with values at both personal and organizational levels. By encouraging executives and teams to co-create shared values through games, the process fosters culture, meaning, and collaboration in the workplace.
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Tags: Culture, Design Thinking, HR
The skill of the day: NEGOTIATIONS.
Medium
August 23, 2023
A construction company workshop used a game-based format to improve negotiation strategies among top managers. By simulating trades within an “imaginary city,” participants explored different approaches, reflected on positive behaviours, and practiced values-based, client-centered deal-making. The playful setup encouraged creativity, collaboration, and deeper insights into closing agreements.
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Tags: Business Strategy, Creativity, Customer Experience
How do you know that you have made an impact?
Medium
February 04, 2019
MAKE SMTHNG Week: Creativity Over Consumption
MAKE SMTHNG Week, organized by Fashion Revolution in partnership with Greenpeace, ran parallel to Black Friday and Cyber Monday with over 400 events in 48 countries. The initiative encourages people to shift from consumerism toward creativity, upcycling, and community-building. Workshops, such as toy-making sessions in museum spaces, highlighted how discarded items can be transformed into meaningful, one-of-a-kind products. The movement demonstrates that small, creative acts — from making to sharing skills — can spark broader change in perceptions of waste and inspire sustainable practices across generations.
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Tags: Creativity, Culture, Education
Why do I feature your ‘normal’ women in magazine publications?
It is not the first time that I have had a publication in a magazine, but this time it is different. Why so?
Challenge yourself to save time and money, sounds like a sound way to revisit the dreams and spend money on them.
Do you know who worked on the clothes you wear and how much they toil to survive?
Taking Creativity to an Orphanage House [article, university newspaper]
Anita Grey’s Global Award
How Wearable Art Can Save the World
The Nature of Garments [magazine article]
Youth Stop #Progress featuring Anita Grey
Every statistic hides a human story
