Rome Ventura, Founder & Director of Lake Union Crew
An inspirational leader and captivating presenter, Rome is able to work with you on any topic or business problem you may encounter. She has spent over 30 years as a transformational real estate developer and builder, serving on the Holy Names Academy Building Committee and Board of Trustees restoring some of Seattle's most historical buildings. Rome has managed over 120 employees and is a master at construction in every sense of the word. One minute handling a $21 million development near the Seahawks Stadium and the next directing international volunteer projects as far away as South Africa as part of the LUC Outreach Foundation.
In 2003 she set up the Seattle Team Building Institute which provided a forum to pass on the valuable business lessons and teambuilding experience she has gained. Rome recognized the natural fit of rowing as a metaphor for a group of individuals in a work environment trying to coordinate as a team.
Understanding the level of effort that is required for business change and planning for the future is second nature to her. She has worked hard on constructing successful businesses, literally, from the ground up while coaching, leading and cultivating winning teams in high profile national and international competitions.
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I believe the foundation of an effective team is individuals who value the collective accomplishment of the team and a leader who brings out the best in each participant... ...I base my teambuilding philosophy on the strategy that creating a competent and effective work team requires the same skill and finesse as creating a competitive and winning boat from 9 individuals. |
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Shawna Kelley, MA
"One of the most exciting pieces of any teambuilding session is the moment when you see the shift in the participants, when they start to 'get' it.
This is when they start thinking as a team, sometimes it happens in the room or sometimes on the water but that shift makes the whole process worthwhile."
Shawna comes to the Seattle Team Building Institute with over 14 years experience creating and implementing training, presentations and programs for businesses and non profits. She has developed programs from the ground up and has recruited, trained and managed teams to run the programs. She also set up an International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (iaedp) board and served as Education Chair.
Shawna has used her teambuilding skills in a variety of settings, from a domestic violence agency to an eating disorders treatment center. She believes that one of the best motivators for a team is inclusion and ownership of a problem or issue.
Shawna graduated for California State University Chico with her BA in Psychology and MA in Communications. During her Masters program she developed a special interest in organizational communication.