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OSR Alumni Association presents

2009 Annual conference

David Baum hosts 2009 conference

Organizational psychologist. Fast change facilitator. Conflict mediator. Fire-eater.

David Baum brings to our 2009 conference a breadth of experience guiding complex transformational change. Baum joins the conference design team as a key collaborator and host for the Saturday, June 20 event at Seattle University.

Reflecting on the conference theme, Designing life and work in an upended world, Baum observes, “Right now my clients are highly stressed. It’s very hard out there; I’ve never seen it so difficult. People’s fear about the future is restrictive and addictive.”

“Key questions are ‘How can people maintain their humanity and hope over fear during these times?’ 'How can we design proactive postures that move people away from being victims and into being active in creating their experience?'"

"It’s a big time; none of us can play small at this point.”

25 years guiding complex change

Baum is no stranger to facing fear having worked in two countries with horrendous genocide — Rawanda and Bosnia-Herzegovina. “I’ve seen the worst of what humanity can be."

Working with Women for Women International, David advised in entrepreneurship and leadership development in post-conflict Sarajevo. With church committees in Belfast, Northern Ireland, he led a conflict mediation effort and created strategies for minimizing inter-faith violence in neighborhoods.

Coordinating large system change with diverse teams, David helped Shell Oil implement a $260 million SAP conversion that far exceeded expectations.

At the Summit for America's Future during the Clinton administration, David worked with Colin Powell to unite governors, senators, and major city mayors in focusing on understanding and implementing best practices for youth.

Baum holds a doctorate in organizational psychology from Temple University and a second doctorate in divinity from Naropa University. He is one of the few people to teach at three of the top ten business schools (Wharton, Cambridge and the Richard Ivey School). And he worked his way through graduate school as a clown with Ringling Brothers and Barnum Bailey circus. David Baum biography

David has an intuitive understanding of human nature, which inspires great confidence and trust. He is thoughtful and sensitive, clear thinking, and his direct and honest advice helps me to make strategic plans for the way ahead. David has become both confidant and friend. I love his appreciation of nature and our shared sense of hope that we can make this a better world for all.” — Jane Goodall, environmental activist

Page updated Tue, June 9, 2009