Geraldine Hepp
Connecting - Creating - Transforming
In a nutshell
My Favourite Partners: Nature - Art - Embodiment
A connector at heart I work to support transformation in individuals, organizations and communities. If we put all the puzzle pieces together we can see a bigger change.
Things I love doing
Communications and Community Director, Leadership Facilitator
What IS the best way to educate and train people who want to dedicate their life to creating positive change and solving complex issues?
At Amani Institute we are supporting individuals to build careers of meaning and impact, organizations to take their capacity to the next level and universities to adapt to a more practical model designed to equip future leaders with not only the knowledge but also the understanding and competencies needed to make change happen.
As part of the founding team I had the opportunity to learn what it takes to build a social enterprise, build a community and facilitate the inner journey of the changemaker for our Fellows and design and run an innovation management program for cultural leaders in East Africa for Hivos.
Working with Body and Mind
Working with the body to unlock your full potential
Is your body a taxi for your brain? Current trends in mindfulness training shift our attention back to our body as a major contributing factor to the well-being and success in our lives. Most of the time people are forced to bring attention back to the body when it hurts or as a vehicle to pleasure and competition in sports. Of course, it is much more. Your daily work, your leadership qualities, your ability to be sharp, visionary, empathetic and creative can be taken to a whole different level if you take your body into account and work with it instead of despite, against or ignorant of it.
As a massage therapist and bodyworker I love supporting your transformation process and help you be here fully through therapeutic work, coaching and mentoring.
Creating Transformative Experiences like the East African Soul Train
Creative Director, Producer and Connector
Creating magical immersive experiences based on what I'd call 'the attention alchemy' is at the heart of all my creative work. What we pay attention to transforms. It's that simple.
This project brings together artists and interested individuals from the region and beyond in a unique journey to facilitate new collaborations and facilitate deep conversations exploring challenges, opportunities and dreams present in East Africa's creative sector to share these perspectives with the world. Think hackathon or incubator for creatives facilitated by a train journey.
In its first edition, EAST collaborated with KuraMoja, a campaign spearheaded by What's Good Live encouraging youth through conversations and creative projects to explore questions around active citizenship, voting and registration to vote.
Working with Nature
Explorer
Much of my youth was spent in hiking trips around Europe and Russia with a youthgroup looking to learn how to live simply, connect nature and artistic practices and learn about other cultures and ourselves. I can't wait to bring that element back to my work supporting individuals in their transformative processes.
Reflection
'From the moment you are born, you could die. I think as an artist it is important to meditate on that.' - Marina Abramovic
Creative projects
Soul Kitchen
The Soul Kitchen is like a putlock for soulfood. Everyone is invited to share poetry, song, movement, art into a space that is transformed through the only currency valid that evening: your attention and sharing.
E.A.S.T.
The East African Soul Train was a life-changing experience. But the most amazing part of it is the ripple effect it had in the community spurring new collaborations, works of art and opportunities.
Summernight's Dream
'Sommernachtstraum' were two magical events created in Berlin on June 21st in 2011 and 2012 seeing over 80 artists from different disciplines participate in a dynamic facilitation of an immersive audience experience for around 1100 people.
Things i learned
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
BA in Science of Education and Music and Media Science
Learning about systems and adult education, the current thinking on our relationship with technology and media and musicology.IPSB Culver City - Massage School
Massage Technician
Learning not only how to hold space and support healing processes but also how to work with the people who you are right for.
GIT - Journeyman for Guitar
My experience at the Musicians Institute taught me that it is not my calling to build a career in music and equipped me with the skills and insights necessary to coach and work with musicians effectively.
Academy Year
Participating in the Academy Year of ECLA did not only open the world of philosophy and the arts to me in new ways, this is also where I started working with art installations and formed connections that have lasted ever since.
Executive Secretary
For people who know me it is clear, that studying one year to become a executive secretary was the most rebellious thing I have ever done in my life, in a reverse kind of way. Diving into micro- and macro economics and business law, however, opened up perspectives that I continue exploring as I work with social entrepreneurs and questions on how to bring sustainable practices to the social impact sector.
Contact me!
If you are interested in cultural and social change work, let's connect! I'd love to learn from you.
Copyright 2014