Bold Leaders Project

By Critical Mass Leadership Education, Inc.

About Us

Critical Mass Leadership Education, Inc. (CMLE), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, founded in 1999 by Co-Directors, Michael Donahue and Michael Garramone. The mission of the company is to support youth in creating projects that connect community and provide a forum for organizations to work together in partnership for the betterment of the community. They are confident in their skills, yet value to their core the varying perspectives that come from other organizations who are passionate about learning. Over the past five years, they have worked with over 800 teenagers, hundreds of adults and more than 40 organizations, including schools, NGO’s, private businesses and commissions.

Contact:
Michael Donahue, Co-Director
Critical Mass Leadership Education, Inc.

191 University Avenue, #301
Denver, CO 80206
Tel: (303) 359-1733
michael.donahue@boldleaders.com

Critical Mass Leadership Education (CMLE) has pulled together a top-notch team of trainers and professional program managers to design and deliver the Bold Leaders Curriculum. Though detailed later, we feel it is important to mention several factors we see as providing unique and powerful access to producing the desired results.

  • Our staff, facilitators, advisors and presenters offer and model a rich tapestry of diversity. (Race, different religions, sex, and all ages are represented.)
  • Some have overcome physical limitations to perform at inspirational levels.
  • The team is a group of tested veterans, passionate about continued learning.
  • Many are recognized as tops in their fields, publicly and privately.
  • Award winners, gifted speakers and community leaders are all a part of the program.
  • All have participated in collaborative endeavors, offering multi-dimensional and multi-module perspectives.
  • They have lived and worked domestically and internationally with teens from other countries and in areas of conflict.
  • Several are authors.
  • Most carry graduate degrees.
  • Several are the founders and leaders of organizations, some more than one.
  • Most have had a minimum of 15 years in their various fields.
  • All remain in education and working with youth, thus they speak the language of teens.

Finally, our entire staff is passionate about discovery, creative in every moment, fun-loving, playful, supportive and patient. The CMLE Team consists of the following core people (programmatic roles are listed):

Michael Donahue, Program Facilitator & Host

Michael’s key role is overall “host” of the Bold Leaders Project for CMLE and initial delivery of the “Availability Platform Work” that sets the tone for the program. As a highly experienced process facilitator, who has worked with thousands of teens, adolescents and adults, he is accountable for the rapid creation of a safe, collaborative team of Cypriot students, and engaged, aware, mindful and purposeful to the intent of the AMIDEAST Bicommunal support program. Michael will also support the facilitation of the conflict resolution training, the team-building day, and the high ropes course, as a trained ropes course facilitator. He will play a supportive role in the Service Learning Day with Play for Peace and all diversity conversations. Michael participated in the creation, language, design, and delivery and provided the follow up support for the ACT2003 Cyprus Summer Youth Program. He currently maintains a relationship with almost 100% of the past participants and is in regular communication with over half. He will also provide this level of commitment to the 2004 program participants.

Michael Garramone, Program Design and delivery

Michael’s key role has been in the design and collaboration aspects of the program as well as research and method practices. Along with Michael Donahue, he is the CO-Founder of Critical mass Leadership Education Inc. He will act as a pre-program resource and deliver a workshop on effective communication with Dr. Richard Rhinoshek of Conversant Solutions. Michael will be available to the students as a consultant via the web site as well as evaluation of the program.

K. Laryl Hutchin, Intercultural Awareness & Communication Training

Laryl is accountable for proposal, evaluation, and the “bridge manager” for inter-communal relationships, intercultural communication and diversity/sensitivity training. She will be with the program participants around the clock throughout the entirety of the program. Laryl is the Executive Director and founder of The Odyssey Institute.

Glenda Walden, Ph.D., Intercultural Awareness & Communication Training

Glenda is accountable for assisting Laryl Hutchin with the inter-communal relationship, intercultural communication and diversity/sensitivity trainings. Glenda is a Colorado University sociology Professor and CO-Director if the Odyssey Institute.

Brady Rhodes, M.A., Program Manager/Facilitator

Brady is accountable for safety and procurement of materials. He will be with the teens around the clock throughout the entirety of the program and is the “bridge manager” to insure the experiential activities, immersions and the daily practices are effective and impact the intended results. Brady is a master at game play, reflection, wilderness learning and experiential practices.

Chad Steele, Website & Wilderness Travel, Founder Cyber-Reality, Inc.

Chad is accountable for the creation of the pre- and post-website, as well as bringing his natural love for world travel, adventure and risk. Chad has acted as a chaperone for teens on several international trips and has also been a mentor to several youth. He is a wonderful resource for teens to share openly and provides a gifted sense of humor. He will also document the processes with video and photos.

Colin Donahue Volunteer/logistics, driver, overall fun

Colin will leave his Hollywood film Prop Master job to spend two + weeks with the team as a logistics volunteer and driver. He will utilize his University of New Hampshire Anthropology degree and love of conversation, international travel and laughter to support the Cypriot students in exploring diverse cultures from a unique perspective. As a former high school soccer player, and Division One scholarship basketball player, the Cypriot teens are insured to engage in raucous sport with Colin. This will not be his first volunteer position. In LA, Colin has served as a volunteer to the Special Olympics, as well as Best Buddies, a mentoring program for disabled teens. Colin is inspired by the life of his younger sister who is severely disabled.