Thursday, February 19th
6pm | Limited to 12
A Jeffersonian dinner is a structured yet relaxed way to have meaningful dialogue. Participants gather around the table to explore a single topic through a shared set of questions. Conversation is guided so that everyone has an opportunity to speak, listen, and reflect—no debating, no problem-solving, and no pressure to perform. The goal is curiosity, connection, and insight.
Our topic for the evening will be what Bill Burnett and Dave Evans, authors of Designing Your Life, call a Workview. A Workview is essentially a manifesto about what work means to you - what is it for, what defines good and worthwhile work for you, why do you work, and how does it fit into your life at this stage. Through our conversation we'll sharpen our own ideas and act as thought partners so we all walk away with a new understanding of what work means to us today.
Our host for the evening will be Elisa van Dam, executive coach and former VP for Allyship and Inclusion at Simmons University for Inclusive Leadership. She will provide a short set of reflection questions in advance, for those who want to have time to consider them.
Dinner will be an optional potluck. Elisa is going to have grain bowls with roasted vegetables, chicken, and tofu
For those who would like to participate in the meal, here is a short list of items:
Wine
Veggie & Dips
Cheese & Crackers
Dessert
Please email Elisa van Dam @Elisa van Dam and tell her of any dietary restrictions and what, if anything, you're able to bring.
Location: Newton (once you confirm registration, the address will be sent to you).
Elisa van Dam, executive coach, and former VP for Allyship and Inclusion at Simmons University
Elisa van Dam is a leadership and gender equity expert with deep experience in leadership development, inclusive leadership, and organizational culture transformation. She is a seasoned facilitator, executive coach, and researcher whose work bridges academic insight and practical leadership development.
Elisa’s mission is to help individuals build their leadership capacity and design work lives that are successful, sustainable, and burnout-free. Her work is based on years of experience teaching and coaching executives to level-up their leadership skills and bring inclusive practices to the forefront. She serves as a trusted advisor to organizations who are creating inclusive cultures where women and other under-represented groups have equal access to opportunities.
Elisa’s most recent research has focused on the behaviors and benefits of thriving at work, with prior studies including explorations of belonging and authenticity, among other topics. She is also the co-author of the Inclusive Leader's Playbook.
Elisa is an IPEC Certified Professional Coach and holds an ICF (International Coach Federation), ACC certification. She is also a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach and a Designing Your Life Certified Coach. She lives in the Boston area with her choreographer husband, and is the proud mom of a 20-something son.