Michele Risa
CEO and Founder at Collaborative Solutions, Inc.
Corporate
Education: New York University - Columbia University
New York, NY, USA
Biography
Michele Risa has helped diverse teams across the globe increase their resilience, innovation and performance through our “5-Step Roadmap.”
She agrees with many top Executives who believe that prioritizing technical training over human capabilities—like resilience and emotional agility—can hinder innovation and leave employees unprepared to lead and adapt. She has found that cultivating the "inner" game of energy, focus and sense of purpose is foundational.
A global speaker, Michele has presented at the World Economic Forum, Viacom, Forbes, Barclays, United Healthcare and TEDx in Manhattan, including a 6-month program at the New York Stock Exchange, to name a few.
Corporate leaders from Fortune 500 companies like Microsoft and MasterCard hire Michele to dramatically increase employee engagement and retention through her interactive, experiential workshops.
Today, Michele offers women's empowerment programs in MENA- Middle East, North Africa. This continues her dedication that began in Russia in the '90s.
She is an award-winning co-author of “Conscious Entrepreneurs: A Radical New Approach to Purpose, Passion & Profit” and a former TV producer since 1998 bringing positivity to an otherwise negative news environment.
Michele is a former Citibank Executive and a former President of the Manhattan Holistic Chamber of Commerce where she provided a new business paradigm which delivered abundance- from the bottom-up.
Michele holds an MA from Columbia University and certifications as a Conscious Business Change Agent, Life Inventory Assessment, in BreathWalk, and PTSD.
She is passionate about authenticity, being the poster child for aging as a two-time marathon runner, adventuring solo beyond 40+ countries, facing cancer with insight and grace, and celebrating the Human Family.
Passion
My passion is to create a safe space for my Human Family, so they can EXPLORE AND DISCOVER their true potential through Socratic inquiry.
- Who Am I? To not conceptionally know it but LIVE it.
- To live full-out, 100% committed.
- To embrace the true dynamic of the present moment and ask, Who am I NOW? Who am I CHOOSING to be?
- To discover my true nature that is something more, something bigger than this “me”.
- To be a life-learner, embracing my wins just as I embrace the problems, challenges or misunderstandings, knowing difficulty builds character and is where we GROW!
- To know change is the only constant in life so to welcome not knowing. And that the vibration of not needing to know opens infinite possibilities.
- To cherish my favorite 3-letter word “AND” which frees me from binary choices. It enables me to simultaneously hold opposites, i.e. I have my eye on the prize AND it’s all about the Journey!
- To trust that I am always guided. That I am here to face my unique challenge so I can make my unique contribution.
- To realize that “I am, I AM.”
I commit myself to these questions and fundamentals, and challenge my audience to explore- not answer- the same. What does being AWAKE look like for you?
Best Story
Everything We Do DOES Make a Difference...Here's Proof from Prague
It was Christmas 1989, right after the Berlin wall came down in November. I was visiting a friend in Germany and decided to go to Berlin. It was a jubilant time, when everyone believed old dictatorships were unsustainable, the Russian state failing, and freedom and democracy were spreading around the world. Some of us spoke of creating a Peace Department saying it was time- past time- to add it along side the Defense Department.
My plan was to then go by train to Vienna, Austria. While on the train, I heard this voice in my head say, “Get off at Prague.” I thought, “What?" I had no plans to go to Prague, I had no place to stay. I didn’t know anyone or know anything about Prague so I resisted and chose to stay my course. But the voice got louder and louder. I thought, “This is SO strange.”
As the train got closer to Prague, I found my resistance waning. I asked myself, what if I did? It might be interesting or fun. Would I regret NOT going and not listening to this albeit strange message that I’m hearing?
As I heard the announcement saying the next stop was Prague, I decided to go and got off. After a few knocks on doors at a few hotels, I found a place to sleep that night, and thought, so far so good.
The next morning, there were loud celebrations in the streets, parades, bands playing music, candles lite and flowers everywhere. I wanted to know why.
MR: What are you celebrating?
Person on the Street: Our 1st democratically elected President.
MR: Great! Congratulations! Who is that?
Person on the Street: Vaclav Havel.
MR: Really? Really Vaclav Havel???
Person on the Street: Why, do you know who he is?
I began to explain: When at Columbia Graduate School, I joined the campus chapter of Amnesty International, a global human rights organization. Each member was assigned a prisoner. Our task was to write letters- 100s of hand written letters- to the prison on behalf of our prisoner. In summary, each letter said, “The world is watching. Let them go.”
I never knew what happened to my prisoner. Until that moment.
My prisoner was Vaclav Havel.
What does this story say to you?
To me, this experience was a clear message: There can be no doubt that everything we do DOES make a difference. Every action we take, no matter how small or long ago, has the power to change the course of history.
Origin Story
Today I offer programs to empower women in the MENA region- Middle East, North Africa- through sustainable initiatives. I did this in 1991 in Russia and I am doing this today in the Middle East, so this must be how I began on this journey.
Some background: Upon the Soviet Union’s collapse in 1991, President Yeltsin was privatizing companies to transition from communism to a market economy. In his economic plan known as “shock therapy,” he indiscriminately fired women, saying, “Go back to the kitchen!” As an advocate of economic equality, I traveled to Russia in 1991 with the American-Russian Alliance creating business incubators for women fired by Yeltsin to become entrepreneurs.
Today, our programs turn women’s passion into projects that will create employment for others, with plans to reach 1 million women by 2030.
Example talks
Conflict Resolution and Collaboration
Conflict is inevitable, but when approached with curiosity and emotional intelligence, it can be a catalyst for growth and stronger collaboration. This session provides tools to navigate disagreements constructively and turn discord into meaningful collaboration.
Takeaways:
- Use active listening and empathy to de-escalate tensions and foster mutual understanding.
- Implement proven conflict resolution frameworks that transform tension into productive dialogue.
- Foster a collaborative culture where diverse perspectives fuel problem-solving and collective success.
- Strengthen team dynamics by balancing assertiveness with adaptability.
Format: I create inspiring workshops that are interactive, experiential and generate ACTION.
Sustainable Change & Innovation
True innovation is born from deep internal reflection and a commitment to purposeful change. This workshop blends the science of adaptability with human-centric leadership principles to inspire lasting, meaningful transformation.
Takeaways:
- Develop a change-ready mindset to navigate evolving global challenges with resilience and prevent burnout.
- Implement practical strategies for fostering creativity, problem-solving and leading sustainable change.
- Overcome resistance to change through engagement and strategic communication with clarity, vision, and purpose.
- Align innovation with systems thinking and organizational values.
Optimizing Your Talent: Women Leadership & Management Development
Women’s leadership is a catalyst for organizational and societal progress. This session empowers women leaders to strengthen their strategic decision-making, challenge limiting beliefs, and foster inclusive environments where all voices are valued.
Takeaways:
- Build executive presence and assertive communication to lead with impact.
- Overcome imposter syndrome and self-doubt to lead with confidence.
- Strengthen negotiation and influence skills to navigate complex leadership environments.
- Foster inclusive leadership strategies that empower teams and drive innovation.
Building Trust and Communication
Effective communication and trust are foundational to resilient teams, especially in times of uncertainty. This workshop explores human-centric strategies to foster transparency, psychological safety, and authentic dialogue, leading to stronger relationships and enhanced performance.
Takeaways:
- Use the Socratic method to ask powerful questions that enhance critical thinking and understanding.
- Develop active listening and emotional intelligence to improve team dynamics.
- Cultivate a culture of transparency, accountability and psychological safety to build lasting trust.
- Navigate difficult conversations with confidence and clarity, turning conflict into an opportunity for growth.
I am willing to travel
More than 100 miles
When it comes to payments
I generally get paid for speaking but make exceptions
Topics
Best Story
Everything We Do DOES Make a Difference...Here's Proof from Prague
It was Christmas 1989, right after the Berlin wall came down in November. I was visiting a friend in Germany and decided to go to Berlin. It was a jubilant time, when everyone believed old dictatorships were unsustainable, the Russian state failing, and freedom and democracy were spreading around the world. Some of us spoke of creating a Peace Department saying it was time- past time- to add it along side the Defense Department.
My plan was to then go by train to Vienna, Austria. While on the train, I heard this voice in my head say, “Get off at Prague.” I thought, “What?" I had no plans to go to Prague, I had no place to stay. I didn’t know anyone or know anything about Prague so I resisted and chose to stay my course. But the voice got louder and louder. I thought, “This is SO strange.”
As the train got closer to Prague, I found my resistance waning. I asked myself, what if I did? It might be interesting or fun. Would I regret NOT going and not listening to this albeit strange message that I’m hearing?
As I heard the announcement saying the next stop was Prague, I decided to go and got off. After a few knocks on doors at a few hotels, I found a place to sleep that night, and thought, so far so good.
The next morning, there were loud celebrations in the streets, parades, bands playing music, candles lite and flowers everywhere. I wanted to know why.
MR: What are you celebrating?
Person on the Street: Our 1st democratically elected President.
MR: Great! Congratulations! Who is that?
Person on the Street: Vaclav Havel.
MR: Really? Really Vaclav Havel???
Person on the Street: Why, do you know who he is?
I began to explain: When at Columbia Graduate School, I joined the campus chapter of Amnesty International, a global human rights organization. Each member was assigned a prisoner. Our task was to write letters- 100s of hand written letters- to the prison on behalf of our prisoner. In summary, each letter said, “The world is watching. Let them go.”
I never knew what happened to my prisoner. Until that moment.
My prisoner was Vaclav Havel.
What does this story say to you?
To me, this experience was a clear message: There can be no doubt that everything we do DOES make a difference. Every action we take, no matter how small or long ago, has the power to change the course of history.
Origin Story
Today I offer programs to empower women in the MENA region- Middle East, North Africa- through sustainable initiatives. I did this in 1991 in Russia and I am doing this today in the Middle East, so this must be how I began on this journey.
Some background: Upon the Soviet Union’s collapse in 1991, President Yeltsin was privatizing companies to transition from communism to a market economy. In his economic plan known as “shock therapy,” he indiscriminately fired women, saying, “Go back to the kitchen!” As an advocate of economic equality, I traveled to Russia in 1991 with the American-Russian Alliance creating business incubators for women fired by Yeltsin to become entrepreneurs.
Today, our programs turn women’s passion into projects that will create employment for others, with plans to reach 1 million women by 2030.
Example talks
Conflict Resolution and Collaboration
Conflict is inevitable, but when approached with curiosity and emotional intelligence, it can be a catalyst for growth and stronger collaboration. This session provides tools to navigate disagreements constructively and turn discord into meaningful collaboration.
Takeaways:
- Use active listening and empathy to de-escalate tensions and foster mutual understanding.
- Implement proven conflict resolution frameworks that transform tension into productive dialogue.
- Foster a collaborative culture where diverse perspectives fuel problem-solving and collective success.
- Strengthen team dynamics by balancing assertiveness with adaptability.
Format: I create inspiring workshops that are interactive, experiential and generate ACTION.
Sustainable Change & Innovation
True innovation is born from deep internal reflection and a commitment to purposeful change. This workshop blends the science of adaptability with human-centric leadership principles to inspire lasting, meaningful transformation.
Takeaways:
- Develop a change-ready mindset to navigate evolving global challenges with resilience and prevent burnout.
- Implement practical strategies for fostering creativity, problem-solving and leading sustainable change.
- Overcome resistance to change through engagement and strategic communication with clarity, vision, and purpose.
- Align innovation with systems thinking and organizational values.
Optimizing Your Talent: Women Leadership & Management Development
Women’s leadership is a catalyst for organizational and societal progress. This session empowers women leaders to strengthen their strategic decision-making, challenge limiting beliefs, and foster inclusive environments where all voices are valued.
Takeaways:
- Build executive presence and assertive communication to lead with impact.
- Overcome imposter syndrome and self-doubt to lead with confidence.
- Strengthen negotiation and influence skills to navigate complex leadership environments.
- Foster inclusive leadership strategies that empower teams and drive innovation.
Building Trust and Communication
Effective communication and trust are foundational to resilient teams, especially in times of uncertainty. This workshop explores human-centric strategies to foster transparency, psychological safety, and authentic dialogue, leading to stronger relationships and enhanced performance.
Takeaways:
- Use the Socratic method to ask powerful questions that enhance critical thinking and understanding.
- Develop active listening and emotional intelligence to improve team dynamics.
- Cultivate a culture of transparency, accountability and psychological safety to build lasting trust.
- Navigate difficult conversations with confidence and clarity, turning conflict into an opportunity for growth.