Core Values that guide the work of Coexistence Collaborative

Advocacy - we empower each other
       
Respect - we model intercultural competency  

Leadership  - we inspire others to participate

Social Responsibility - we serve our community 

Contribution - we work to expand social entrepreneurism 

Mentorship - we provide work and leadership opportunities to university interns

Sustainability  - we create  smart, innovative, replicable and profitable business practices 

Learning Partnerships -we collaborate with Universities, Nonprofits, NGOs and Social Entrepreneurs  

Innovation  - we break new ground with the collective wisdom of colleagues, partners and world experts 


At Coexistence Collaborative we work to create an inviting and gentle environment within which people can safely explore aspects of themselves in relation to their professional development.   We provide solid content that is finalized with the organizations we work with. We are unique in our approach because we incorporate current research that directly relates to the industry within which we are training. We modify our training methods as needed in response to ever changing group dynamics.   Our trainings are compelling, relevant and engaging.   

Coexistence Collaborative works with groups that range typically from 6 to 120 people in a setting.  We go into organizations and work with teams typically doing one to six day trainings.  We also work with people from all types of industries who come to trainings offered in our offices, typically one to five days in length.  

Our training techniques significantly improve the long term impact of course learning and foster the incorporation of learned skills into participant’s work patterns.  

We weave the conceptual framework of emotional intelligence as it relates to diversity throughout most of what we do. The reason for this is that we believe that a primary cause of interpersonal and team dysfunction is rooted in how we perceive others and the assumptions we make about others, resulting in how we treat one another. 

Our approach to diversity goes beyond the traditional definition of race, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation…, etc. We explore the multitude of cultural influences that reside within each of us: influences that inform how we view and then treat others.   

                                            
Jeanne Farr - Founder/Trainer

Jeanne is a respected leader, trainer and expert in the developmental disabilities services field in Oregon. Known for her passionate advocacy, she has dedicated her professional life to improving the lives of people with developmental disabilities. She is recognized throughout the state for her skill in fostering collaboration and for her legislative advocacy on behalf of people with disabilitiesJeanne has decades of extensive experience creating and conducting training in the area of leadership and intercultural sensitivity. 

For over 30 years, she has worked in nonprofit organizations, serving people with developmental disabilities with over 20 years in executive management. For the last 17 years, she has worked for Albertina Kerr Centers as Senior Vice President, Developmental Disabilities Services.

She serves on the Lettuce Grow Board of Directors, the University of the Pacifc School of International Studies Advisory Board, the Multnomah County DD Executive Advisory Committee and on the Oregon Developmental Disabilities Coalition. She is a member of: Women Entrepreneurs of Oregon, Oregon Entrepreneurs Network, Society for Intercultural Education and Training, American Society for Training and Development, and the Portland Business Alliance. 

Jeanne received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Humanities from the University of the Pacific. She completed extensive graduate work in clinical psychology and organizational development at San Francisco State University and  Pacific Graduate School of Psychology and received a Master of Arts degree in Intercultural Relations from the University of the Pacific School of International Studies.

During her 16 years in Oregon, Jeanne has received the following awards:PGE Community Treasure Award, for "community contribution and leadership” Oregon Rehabilitation Association 2000 Extra Mile Award, for “significant   contributions to the Oregon Rehabilitation Association, its Board of Directors, its   Committees, Membership Programs, or other endeavors, which benefit ORA to a degree greater than any other individual and that ultimately serve to improve the lives of people with disabilities” Oregon Rehabilitation Association “Al Erickson Award” for the significant contribution to the development, expansion or improvement of rehabilitation facilities  and programs for the ultimate benefit of people with disabilities”.  This award is the highest honor bestowed to a professional in the disability services industry in Oregon. Recently Jeanne was honored as a Distinguished Alumnus for Public Service by the University of the Pacific.



S. R. Williams - Trainer 
 
Shyvonne has extensive experience developing, owning and managing small for profit and not for profit businesses.  She is known for her outstanding business skills, ever-present optimism and creativity regarding new business development.    Prior to joining our team she was a founding partner and co-owner of a real estate development company.  Profits from that organization were used to fund the development of a shelter for victims of domestic violence.  She has been a foster parent for many children over the course of her life and has dedicated her time and energy to helping kids lead better lives.  In addition to training courses at Coexistence Collaborative, Shyvonne has a small business where she provides First Aid/CPR/AED training with a segment containing special considerations for diverse populations. She is certified and authorized through American Red Cross and Medic First Aid to conduct these courses at the highest professional level.Shyvonne is a graduate and co-trainer of CC's Leadership Intensive.  She has an Associates of Science Degree focusing on Early Childhood Education from Portland Community College, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Portland State University and is currently completing a Masters of Psychology in Conflict Resolution from the University of the Rockies.  

   

Brian Farr - Co-Founder  

Brian is a Licensed Professional Counselor and maintains a private practice in Portland, Oregon. He is a respected expert in the field of financial therapy. He also specializes in addiction recovery, individual and couples therapy.  Brian was recently interviewed by The Oregonian and spoke extensively about personal finance in these uncertain times.  To view that article, go to: http://blog.oregonlive.com/finance/2008/12/interview_with_a_financial_the.html   Brian has created and conducts financial therapy trainings for mental health counselors across the United States.  These trainings address  techniques and strategies for exploring personal finance issues within the traditional therapeutic framework. During the 25 years prior to becoming a counselor, Brian was a founding partner of an investment management firm in Portland, Oregon, owner/manager of a personnel agency in San Francisco, and member/broker at the Chicago Board of Trade.Brian received his Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Lewis & Clark College and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Stanford University.