ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Maren Showkeir is a writer, ediitor, teacher, and yogini whose work is dedicated to helping individuals and organizations unleash their full potentials. Her passion for writing led her to a career in newspaper journalism. She had extraordinary experiences for nearly 25 years and managed to exit the industry in the nick of time. As a Knight Fellow for the International Center for Journalists in 2003–2004, she taught at universities in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Lima, Peru, as part of a mission to promote “quality journalism worldwide in the belief that independent, vigorous media are crucial to improving the human condition.” She also collaborated with local journalists to provide educational workshops for reporters and editors in the provinces who had scant opportunities for formal training.

Returning to the United States in 2005, she began a search for different meaningful work that would feed her soul. She found it through two seminal occurrences that happened at nearly the same time: she met Jamie Showkeir, an organizational consultant, and enrolled in a yoga teacher-training class with Mary Bruce at the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts. Joining henning-showkeir & associates, inc. as a managing partner, she discovered a satisfying new career, true love, a business partner, and a husband. Her yoga studies gave her a spiritual practice that kept her connected to something larger than herself. Those two paths have converged in the writing of this book.

Maren is the co-author (with Jamie) of Authentic Conversations: Moving from Manipulation to Truth and Commitment (Berrett-Koehler, 2008). She earned a BA degree in journalism from Arizona State University and an MA in Human and Organization Development at Fielding Graduate University.

Some of her very best work is reflected in the shining lives of two loving, responsible human beings, her children, Sonnet Bingham Aguirre and Skyler Bingham. She also is stepmother to Zak and JR Showkeir, and Nana Maren to grandson Kadin Chaira. Together, she and Jamie are raising Bodhi the cat. They live happily together in downtown Phoenix, Arizona.

Jamie Showkeir By family tradition and personal passion, learning has always been a calling for Jamie. It has played a pivotal role in his life and profession from his early career as an industrial arts teacher and high school football coach to his current work with those seeking to transform themselves and their organizations.

Whether working with educators, executives, business consultants, or young people just beginning their careers, his aim is to stimulate thinking, encouraging people to confront their own contributions to difficult issues and to be accountable to themselves and for the common good. At its core, Jamie’s philosophy is that we are each responsible for our own choices, accountability, and motivation. As a consultant committed to collaboration and partnership, he engages his clients in creating powerful personal learning experiences.

Jamie is co-founder and owner of henning-showkeir & associates, inc., a consulting business whose client list is extensive and varied. He is co-author (with Maren) of Authentic Conversations: Moving from Manipulation to Truth and Commitment (Berrett-Kohler, 2008). This book is based on the premise that all change is conversational first, and engaging others authentically leads to relationships and organizations we can believe in.

Jamie received a BS from Miami University in industrial/business education, where he was also a scholarship athlete. He received his MA from Eastern Michigan University in Educational Leadership. He began a meditation practice in 1972 and has practiced yoga since 2005. He served as president of the Autism Society of Michigan and is currently on the board of directors of Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc. Cycling, music, reading, and college football are among the ways he spends leisure time.

Jamie is father to Zak and JR Showkeir and stepfather to Sonnet Bingham Aguirre, Skyler Bingham, and Jeanine Mumford. His grandson, Kadin Chaira, and Bodhi the cat bring great joy to his life.