Elizabeth Olson

Elizabeth Olson, MSOD, is an organization and management consultant with more than 20 years experience facilitating  group, organization, and whole systems change.   She specializes in tested methods to engage the broadest representation of interested parties in visioning, strategic thinking and planning, decision-making, and learning. An example of her whole-system work with Gil Steil is described in our book, The Collaboration Response.

In her work Elizabeth embraces the paradoxes of strategic thinking and emotional intelligence, diplomacy and frankness, and stability as well as transformation.

Elizabeth serves both global and domestic clients in the corporate, public, and not-for-profit sectors.  Clients include 3-M, McDonald’s Corporation, University of Rhode Island, Metropolitan Life Insurance, The United Way, The RI Department of Health, Hasbro, and Right Associates.

Elizabeth has committed part of her time to Shields Meneley Partners in Chicago where she is a senior executive coach and advisor.

Elizabeth holds a BA in American Social History from Wesleyan University and a Master’s degree in Organization Development from The American University and National Training Laboratories.  In addition, she has had extensive training in organizational change with Peter Block, Kathie Dannemiller, Merrelyn Emery, Darya Funches, Alan and Don Klein, and Barry Oshry to name a few.

Gil Steil and Elizabeth Olson conduct a public seminar, Creating High-Engagement Workplaces, in Europe and the US.

Professional affiliations include the Organization Development Network, the Association for Quality and Participation, and the American Society for Training and Development.