“It's a privilege to work with a trusted partner with a shared mission.”
-Megan Harmon, Chief Financial Officer, Integrated Systems Solutions, Inc.
Our story
We help senior leaders strategize, develop, and conquer high-visibility initiatives.
Introduced by a trusted mentor, Emily and Dori immediately discovered a natural fit in their working styles—like gears clicking into place. Working together has been a hilarious mix of sharing cashews (always stored in Dori’s desk drawer) and begging water (Emily can walk miles without a break).
Once, a customer was chatting with Emily and noticed Dori approaching. He smoothly asked Emily what she “really thinks of Dori.” Without pause, Emily answered, “Working together is a lot like a marriage! You’re constantly coming up with new ideas while solving problems from the ideas you had last week.” Emily’s answer remains correct and working together remains fun.
These days, we’re facilitators, mediators, consultants, and public speakers. We guide teams through major transitions – the experts who are right there with you as everything changes, and the experts who ensure that the changes are actually the results you’re playing for.
Meet Our Executives.
Known for their experience and expertise, yet appreciated for their genius and humor.
Emily Wallace
Emily is an expert strategist, facilitator, and mediator. For decades, she has led extensive coordination initiatives for disaster reduction, equity, climate change adaptation, insurance/ reinsurance, and other complex projects that require extensive technical content and durable agreements. She is the Managing Principal at Thrivner where she oversees services, strategy, and software development. Emily holds a Bachelor of Science in Marine Sciences from the University of South Carolina (Columbia, South Carolina) and has also completed the Harvard Mediation Intensive (Cambridge, Massachusetts).
Dori Stiefel, PhD
Dori is an expert futurist, facilitator, and mediator: She has facilitated successes for organizations across industry and government for over 30 years. Dori also has conducted extensive co-authored academic research on climate change adaptation, sustainability, human existential risk reduction, unintended consequences, and futures, all of which is published in journals as varied as Sustainability and Risk Analysis. Dori holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Political Science from the University of Tennessee (Knoxville, Tennessee); a Master of Science in Accounting from the University of Virginia (Charlottesville, Virginia); a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Mary Baldwin University (Staunton, Virginia); and has completed the Harvard Mediation Intensive (Cambridge, Massachusetts).
BY THE NUMBERS
18
Years of successes
3000+
Mediations and facilitations
Strategic plans and workplans
200+
Software products
2
Book (forthcoming)
1
“I am so grateful for your outstanding professionalism and service as we worked together to make OCEANS 2018 Charleston a resounding success! You handled everything with such a personal and confident touch that I never doubted we would have a positive outcome.”
— Dr. Jeffrey L. Payne, Director, Office for Coastal Management,
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
"...this was by far the most constructive and beneficial team-building exercise I've experienced. I know I speak for our entire leadership team when I say we're truly grateful for and impressed by the work accomplished in person and the tools we've walked away with to continue this work"
— Jon D. B., Director of Communications,
TennGreen Land Conservancy
ABOUT
Hi, We’re Thrivner.
Leaders reach Thrivner when faced with new challenges or initiatives, whether to write a flexible strategic plan, to launch a grant program, to build a public-private partnership, to transform a leadership board, to build a research and policy strategy, or to prioritize investments. With our customers, we’ve done all of that, and more.
Founded in 2006 to create a world where everyone thrives, we now offer a tailored mix of services and products.
HOW WE CAN WORK TOGETHER
When you’re ready to level up, our services and products are your springboard to success.
We help leaders produce durable results, whether through mediation and facilitation or through foresight and strategy, we bring people together to accomplish more than they could on their own.
Consulting
A forthcoming book by Emily Wallace and Dr. Dori Stiefel offers the guidelines and tools teams need for joy, fulfillment, and outsized outcomes.
