About Cecilia
“I define connection as the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.” “Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.”
~ Brene Brown
Liminality …
is the condition of being on a threshold or at the beginning of a process. With interests and involvement in more than one sphere, this ability offers an opportunity to drift between trades, organizations and focuses seamlessly.
Combined with a natural instinct to connect and link, I work to introduce and bond to create intersections, collisions and serendipity for a more enriching and beneficial relationship for everyone. Impactful networking, building and rebuilding community, improve communication and processes are at the center of my work.
I am passionately involved in efforts towards inclusion and work for belonging both socially and professionally. Multicultural and multilingual.
About Cecilia
“I define connection as the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.” “Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.”
~ Brene Brown
Liminality …
is the condition of being on a threshold or at the beginning of a process. With interests and involvement in more than one sphere, this ability offers an opportunity to drift between trades, organizations and focuses seamlessly.
Combined with a natural instinct to connect and link, I work to introduce and bond to create intersections, collisions and serendipity for a more enriching and beneficial relationship for everyone. Impactful networking, building and rebuilding community, improve communication and processes are at the center of my work.
I am passionately involved in efforts towards inclusion and work for belonging both socially and professionally. Multicultural and multilingual.
Bio
Cecilia Wessinger is the Director for Global Community at the Global Entrepreneurship Network. She serves as the primary interface between GEN and its leadership teams in nations around the world as they seek to nurture more robust ecosystems and build GEN’s brand and presence in those economies. Prior to joining GEN, Cecilia was a consultant with the Kauffman Foundation, Future Agro Challenge and has led small group mastermind workshops and cohorts around the world. She has extensive experience mentoring and advising startup founders, ecosystem builders and organizations. As a certified Cultural Competency and Unconscious Bias facilitator, she moves conversations beyond diversity and inclusion to connecting, engaging, and belonging. Cecilia has served as a speaker, facilitator and panelist at innovation and entrepreneurship focused events such as Shift, Tom-Tom Festival and ESHIP Summit. She has judged and supported pitch competitions for SXSW, U.S. Small Business Administration and the U.S. Department of State's Global Innovation through Science and Technology program. She currently serves on the executive board(s) of the Institute for Work and the Economy and Startup Champions Network, and has served on over a dozen non-profit boards in her local community ranging from the arts to education and entrepreneurship. She is a former travel industry professional who has lived, worked, and traveled throughout the world. Her favorite person is her son, JD who is currently exploring and enjoying his own global adventures; though Bruce Springsteen is high on her list.
“Diversity is being invited to the party, inclusion is being asked to dance.” ~Verna Myers
Taking it further to say, “Belonging is dancing like nobody’s watching.”