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from Hope Magazine, November 2003 Walking the Walk By Janna Graber FORMER BUSINESS CONSULTANT and international business columnist Cynthia Kemper was frustrated by the world’s inability to get along. “I’ve always believed that if our leaders could gain a deeper understanding of the nuances of the cultures, histories, and complexities of our world, then we would naturally work together to create a better existence for us all,” says Kemper. September 11 is at the root of her response. Visiting Ground Zero in October 2001, and spending many hours with rescue workers and survivors—even with ironworkers in the rubble of Tower One—urged her to action. Kemper decided to “incubate the cultivation and connection of new century thought leaders.” Now, her Edgewalkers Institute provides “an innovative teaching and learning space for the global leaders of our times...to deepen the dialogue about critical issues, to expand our learning and explore new ideas as a community.” Tomorrow’s leaders, Kemper believes, will come from outside the mainstream. “They might not be famous or known,” she says, “but they are the ones who can lead from the edges to create a new kind of thinking.” The problem, she says, is that most “edgewalkers,” those exploring and developing new ways of thought, often feel isolated and alone. They seldom join groups. Her goal is to use the institute to bring these potential leaders together in community. “At the first meeting I attended, I knew I had found my ‘tribe,’” says Sarah Hartzell, founder of Circles of Ten: Women for World Peace. “The institute is midwifing a completely new way of being in the world—new thinking on doing business, of doing art—and that is tremendously inspiring to me.” People who are creating the future hunger for a safe place to test their ideas, Kemper says. “Our forums give people the chance to connect up with people they might not otherwise meet. You may have a scientist sitting next to a museum director of the arts; a mayor sitting next to someone who is starting their first business. This is intentional—to bring people together where they can rub up against one another’s ideas.” Membership is open to the public. The Edgewalkers Institute runs an ongoing dialogue series, intensive leadership courses, an insightful e-journal, informal networking, and plans a future global summit. “The institute allows me to step away from the day-to-day and consider issues that are not on my daily plate,” says David French, a Denver businessman. “Instead of going to do physical exercises, I can exercise my mind here. It’s a workshop for people who want to move on in new directions and further clarify their passions in the spirit of making the world a better place.” “Cynthia has extraordinary courage and vision for what is possible,” says participant Andrew Stirrat. “She can see the big picture and follow that passion.” Stirrat finds the institute personally fulfilling. “Many of the venues that are most visible today tend to be narrow in their perspectives,” he says. “For those who have an interest in something larger and different, this gives us encouragement and new perspectives to consider.” “It’s this type of exchange that opens our minds and helps us to see things differently,” Kemper says. The future of our world rests on new leaders. What better way to help them develop? —Janna Graber More Information: The Edgewalkers Institute P.O. Box 200116 Denver, CO 80220 303-333-1393 www.edgewalkers.com ckemper@edgewalkers.com
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