My name is Jenny and I create effective, engaging and memorable learning experiences for organisations, schools and non-profits.
My mission is to cultivate a culture of creativity, facilitation, and continuous learning for leaders and their teams.
Through innovative approaches like my book, workshops, and courses, I aim to challenge and empower teams to unleash their creative potential, embrace facilitation, and drive meaningful change.
I work with leadership teams, guiding them to master facilitation skills and create an environment where learning is cherished. Together, we can create dynamic workplaces that inspire innovation, foster collaboration, and drive sustainable growth.
Currently consulting full-time as Head of Learning at Abracademy.
I HAVE PUBLISHED A BOOK!
Dare to Facilitate is not your typical "how to" book on facilitation – it’s a “dare to”!
This book is a call to action, challenging you to break free from the confines of traditional gatherings and truly take charge of the facilitation process. It's time to ditch the boring agendas and the stagnant discussions and to dare to do things differently.
The book includes more than 120 challenges issued by daring facilitators that invite you to push your boundaries by learning their skills, such as Dare to Listen, Dare to Include, Dare to Play, and Dare to Design. By following the practical advice, tools and strategies in this book, you can enhance your facilitation skills and create powerful learning experiences that make a real difference.
Facilitation is a dynamic and constantly evolving field. As a facilitator, it's important to constantly challenge yourself and try new things. By daring to listen, play, design, innovate, engage, empower, do, collaborate, and even laugh, you can enhance your skills and take your facilitation practice to the next level.
So go ahead, dare to facilitate!
Recent Exposure
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Spotlight in Offbeat Newsletter
An 800 word piece on the magic of belonging at work, the 4 elements of belonging, the belonging spellbook, and the impact of fostering belonging emailed to over 5000+ subsribers.
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Interview in The L&D Collective
“You're not confined to a traditional career path. Welcome the diversity of your experiences and let them enrich your L&D journey.”
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The Magic of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership
Emotional intelligence is the elixir that empowers leaders to forge profound connections with colleagues, bringing harmony to the workplace. EQ involves having empathetic understanding, self-awareness and exceptional communication. It allows leaders to navigate challenges, nurture inclusivity and inspire their teams to achieve remarkable results. EQ is a superpower!
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Workshops Work Podcast
“As a facilitator, Jenny Theolin braves the difficult questions, has a sixth sense for when to change course, and has curated a toolkit of techniques that intuitively challenge participants to yield the greatest impact. After all, it’s in the pivots, in the furrowed faces, in the zone of discomfort, that we grow. And the more we dare, the further we go!”
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Feature on Creative Boom
“Jenny Theolin shakes up creative management in daring new book. Jenny's enthusiasm for facilitation comes across in every aspect of her book. And it's sure to infect the reader with its fun and creative vibes.”
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Create Belonging Podcast
This conversation explores the power of facilitation and how this skill is often overlooked, and how to properly embrace facilitation as the skill that helps individuals and companies collaborate better and tap into people’s true potential.
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Talarföreningen Intervju pågår (Sv)
Charlotta Rydholm intervjuar Jenny Theolin om begreppet facilitering. Vad är det, hur fungerar det och vad är smart att tänka på? Är alla facilitatorer likadana? Är det verkligen så att en facilitator behöver veta allt om det som de ska facilitera?
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Network Like a Pro Podcast
A #podfiction episode. We spiced things up with a dash of roleplaying where we traveled across space and time to investigate people who dared to do things differently.
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Facilitering som ledarskapsmetod (Sv)
I denna video pratar jag med Charlotta Rydholm om facilitering som ledarskaps metod.
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Interview with Audrey Jarre on CLO-Connect
In this interview, I speak with Audrey Jarre, Head of Learning at @360learningsuite, about how I help my clients raise employee engagement in meetings and conferences by empowering leaders to facilitate a more fun and happy environment.
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Facilitation Lab Podcast
In this interview, I speak with Douglas Fergusson, President at Voltage Control, where we delve into my personal journey as a facilitator, discussing entrepreneurship and the importance of curating influential toolboxes for fostering change and innovation.
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In Conversation with Halo
In this interview, I speak with Ellinor Valtersson, UX Designer & Strategist at Halo about designed learning, the messiness of being outside of your comfort zone, and how hybrid working has become an equaliser in the workforce.
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Hyper Island Fun@Work Blog Series
I am on a mission to explore the concept of fun at work from diverse perspectives. Join me and Liam James at Hyper Island as we delve into the significance of fun in the workplace, uncovering why it holds such importance.
A DIFFERENT KIND OF LEARNING CONSULTANT
From living all over the world, and with over two decades experience in the design industry, my unique combination of creative skills and diverse perspectives empower me to design and deliver effective, engaging and memorable learning experiences.
LEARNING IS A JOURNEY
I embrace the full spectrum of the learning experience, not just the traditional focus on content and instruction. This includes everything from pre- and post-learning activities, to physical and digital environment, emotions and motivation of learners, and the influence of culture and society.
NO WOMAN IS AN ISLAND
I believe the best solutions come from bringing together diverse perspectives, skills and experiences. With a global network of subject matter experts, a passion for collaboration and group dynamics expertise, I bring together relevant partners for every project.
Featured Services
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Learning Strategy
I believe organisations that do not prioritise becoming a learning organisation will eventually become obsolete.
Together we create an overarching plan and approach for organising, delivering and evaluating learning initiatives within your organisation in relevant way.
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Learning Experience Design
I believe well-designed learning experiences engage learners, clarify complex problems and make learning more memorable and meaningful.
Together we designing effective, engaging and memorable facilitated experience-based learning initiatives.
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Facilitation
I believe facilitation is an essential aspect of effective leadership, enabling individuals and teams to collaborate, overcome challenges, and achieve exceptional results.
I facilitate with empathy – guiding and supporting learners through the experience to help them achieve their goals and objectives.
Member of The International Association of Facilitators
Currently writing Dare to Facilitate
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Keynotes
I believe knowledge hoarding is a roadblock to progress and a disservice to society. Sharing knowledge is the key to unlocking innovation and advancing as a collective whole.
Currently building a series of Keynotes around the chapters covered in my Dare to Facilitate book. Will be speaking at STHLM Xperience Conference 2023 on Dare to Collaborate.
Member of The National Speaker Association, Sweden
“Jenny is a whirlwind of creativity, energy, and enthusiasm, bursting with ideas that’ll sweep you off your feet. Her ability to switch from facilitator to project manager to creative director on a daily basis is as impressive as it is skilful. She has a fearless attitude and an entrepreneurial spirit which I find inspirational.”
– Tom Collins, Design Director, EY Doberman
Recent Work Highlights
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Leading a Kick-Off: Goals, Motivation, and Learning, 2024
Sharing knowledge and experiences in career development, motivation, goal setting, learning, and follow-up.
Through panel discussions, real-life examples from the business, audience interactions, we created a colorful experience.
Client: ICA Gruppen
Team: Jenny Theolin + Client Team -
DARE TO PLAY – workshop for 20 innovation leaders, 2023
Facilitating through play is a powerful tool for building a positive workplace culture. Purposeful play provides a space for exploration, learning, collaboration, and imagination. It allows colleagues to test new ideas, build trust, and develop empathy. By embracing play, we can cultivate a vibrant and inclusive culture where creativity thrives and teams flourish!
Client: Uppsala kommun
Team: Jenny Theolin + Client -
Dare to Collaborate Game Show, 2023
A 15-minute game show that explored the relationship between facilitation and collaboration. We tackled a critical query: How can you create an environment that encourages team members to freely express their ideas and thoughts without fear of criticism or judgment?
Client: Zington + STHLM Experience Conference
Team: Jenny Theolin + Balloon Volunteers -
Launching an alumni community with a bang, 2023
Designing and delivering the first Brave Leadership I programme alumni community event. Moderated a session with 100+ participants globally, featuring special guests Malcolm Larri and alumni/Section Manager Sara Berrado. We covered topics like Empowering Leadership, Leading myself and others, Imposter Syndrome, the different between Managing and Leading, and much more.
Client: AFRY
Team: Jenny Theolin + Malcolm Larri -
Inspiring 150 students to Dare to Freelance, 2024
Sharing my career journey and mindset to quickly transform negative experiences into opportunities.
Facilitated a self-coaching ‘Business of 1’ workshop and crowdsourced facilitation 101 resources with the 150 students as well.
Client: Berghs School of Communication
Team: Jenny Theolin -
Leading a culture change programme for change leaders, 2018
Leading the learning experience design of training 34 change leaders to focus on change leadership and facilitation, and to bring this new mindset and approach to the rest of the organisation. The programme included a Bootcamp for the 34, as well as facilitation support of 4 parallell workshops during the yearly leadership conference. I also facilitated a LEGO Challenge for Willy’s 350+ leaders to set the scene.
Client: Willy:s Supermarket
Team: Jenny Theolin + Hyper Island -
Keynote on The Art of Belonging for 1400 at Oslo Concert Hall, 2022
Keynote Speaker at ODA Women in Tech’s 2022 event TECH CONTRL. In this interactive talk, we took a look and reflected on the state of work, how important belonging at work really is, the value and benefits of high belonging and the 'belonging tax'. I also facilitated a Human Thunderstorm with the 1400 attendee in Oslo Concert Hall.
Client: ODA Women in Tech
Team: Jenny Theolin -
Idea generating with 1200 learning professionals, 2018
Co-facilitating an idea generation workshop along 9 other facilitators and with 1200 attendees. The workshops ran over two half days during Thorengruppens yearly conference, and the result were 300 applicable ideas.
This conference was held in Piteå, Sweden
Client: Thorengruppen
Team: Jenny Theolin + Fantastic Studios -
Creating a Leadership Greenhouse for developing self-leadership, 2023
Leadership Greenhouse – a place for inspiration and development opportunities to grow as leader. Together with the L&D team, designed and launched an internal leadership portal catering for 1500+ leaders at AFRY with inspiration, insights, tools and an alumni events calendar.
Client: AFRY
Team: Jenny Thelin + Client Team -
Facilitating in ball pits and building with marshmallows, 2019-2021
The past few years I have spent a lot of working time with Paulig and Foodmark’s various brands. From Group Dynamics sessions, Innovation Workshops to Sales Conferences. Particularly proud of the Foodmark NKOTB Innovation Workshop looking at the future of Sauce, as well as designing two Paulig Quanferences during the pandemic.
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Managing and developing AFRY Academy, 2023
Running and managing AFRY Academy and learning initiatives within for a year. Course and programmes include the global Brave Leadership I programme, Leadership in Projects and Project Management in Practise Courses.
Client: AFRY
Team: Jenny Theolin + Client Team -
Leading MA Digital Management in London, launching it in Stockholm, 2015-2018
Leading Hyper Island's part-time MA Digital Management programme in London and launching in Stockholm. Designing engaging curriculum and facilitating student learning, including sourcing speakers and workshop leaders, creating live briefs with businesses, and supporting student progress through group development sessions and reflection.
Client: Hyper Island
Team: Jenny Theolin + Tash Willcocks + Max Larcombe -
Leading a three-month Culture Transformation Programme, 2021
Leading and co-facilitating a 4 part programme exploring culture with a diverse group responsible for the next evolution of one of the world’s largest fashion brands. Participants were based all over the world, including Italy, Germany, Denmark, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Sweden and the UK. The curriculum was designed based on the OKR framework.
Client: Top Secret
Team: Jenny Theolin + Malcolm Larri -
Moderating STHLM Experience Conference, 2022
STHLM Xperience Conference is a hybrid participatory conference with lectures, practical tips, and workshops. Celebrating World Usability Day, the theme was Our Health. The day included 12 Lighting Talks, 1 Keynote; 6 Workshops and a Digital Hybrid Mingle happening in parallel.
Client: Zington + STHLM Experience Conference
Team: Jenny Theolin -
Leading a four-month feedback culture course, 2021
Leading and co-facilitating a 4 part Feedback Culture Course for Swedish gaming company Boca Boca. The four parts included were themed Group Dynamics, Non-violent Communication, Facilitation & Process Design and Feedback vs Crit.
Client: Toca Boca
Team: Jenny Theolin + Jorik Elferink + Jim Ralley -
Producing a new conference from scratch! 2018 + 2019
Produced Arwidsson Talks, an international and interdisciplinary conference exploring innovative urban planning and sustainable development.
We brought together researchers, policy makers, officials, architects, artists, builders, real estate developers and politicians to push forward thinking on how to create inclusive, healthy and happy cities for all.
Client: The Arwidsson Foundation
Team: Parasol Projects, WiklundWiklund, Ulla Kassius & Moa Möller -
Throwing a different kind of corporate Christmas Party, 2019
Innovation as the focus for Fatshark’s Christmas Party and their 150+ employees. Designed and facilitated a series of workshops before the company dinner and festivities. The workshops included an Innovation Mashup and Feedback.
Client: Fatshark Games
Team: Jenny Theolin + Client Team -
Producing the AFRY Leadership Summit in Sandhamn, 2023
The Leadership Summit gathered 100 leaders in Stockholm Archipelago for two days of impactful keynotes, interactive activities, and networking. Against the stunning backdrop, participants engaged in insightful discussions, enjoyed a fun dining, and built new connections.
Client: AFRY
Team: Jenny Theolin + Client Team -
Touring Sweden workshopping Trends, 2017
Touring with Episerver on behalf of Hyper Island.
The purpose was to run an interactive session to end Episerver's Client Conference Days with a small reflective workshop around trends. Optimizely
Sophie Wesslau and I visited Stockholm (250 attendees), Malmö (40 attendees) and Gothenburg (50 attendees)
Client: Episerver (now Optimizely)
Team: Jenny Theolin + Sophie Wesslau -
Innovation Day @ The Nobel Museum, 2020
Designed and delivered of an Innovation Day for Unga innovatörer at the Nobel Prize Museum alongside Sophie Raland Wesslau.
We facilitated a workshop with 48 teenagers (16-17 yo) and invited them to reflect on future scenarios between now and 2050. They created personal action plans and shared their hopes and fears about the future – all in advance of an innovation project they were started in the autumn.
Client: Unga Innovatörer
Team: Jenny Theolin + Sophie Wesslau + Mikael Ritsfalk -
My time on the Design Sweden Board, 2016-2017
Renaming, rebranding and celebrating Design Sweden. We initiated Design Sweden Sessions, designed a new website, and created a Map of Design Sweden. To top it off was the 60th anniversary event, an evening of mingle and talks by some of Sweden’s leading designers and creatives.
Chairwoman, 2017
Vice Chairwoman, 2016Client: Design Sweden
Team: Jenny Theolin + The Board -
Way Out West Music Festival as an Arena for Learning, 2020
Invited to inspire the partners for Way Out West in how they can approach the music festival as a space for learning. Brands in the audience included Innocent, Coca Cola, Red Bull, RSFU, SJ, Faxer, Afound and TV4
Client: Luger
Team: Jenny Theolin -
A creative team-building day for team leads, 2019
In a glass cube on top the world, I designed and facilitated a team-building day with the team leads at Fatshark Games. We used LEGO Serious Play and reflected around group dynamics and building effective teams.
Client: Fatshark Games
Team: Jenny Theolin + Client Team -
Keynote on Learning Experience Design, 2018
Delving into the world of workplace learning and knowledge management.
Participants joined me as I explored how to convert knowledge into learning and discussed the importance of learning experience design.
Client: Berghs School of Communication
Team: Jenny Theolin
Own Initiatives
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DARE TO FACILITATE
I’m writing a book! This book is a call to action, challenging you to break free from the confines of traditional meetings and truly take charge of the facilitation process. It's time to ditch the boring agendas and stagnant discussions and dare to do things differently.
Team: Jenny Theolin + 39 Contributors
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LEARNING SWEDEN
Our dream is to create new learning contexts and to enable more people to discover the power of learning as an amplifier of change. Learning Sweden wants to create a movement that delivers tangible results, strengthens learning in Sweden, and inspires a better world.
We believe that learning needs to be explored, experienced, and tested. Learning should be felt in order to be understood and serve as the foundation for noticeable change.
Team: Jenny Theolin + Charlotta Rydholm
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DESIGN EDUCATION
A 600+ international community of educators improving the conditions for learning design at school, university and at work.
The basic rule of thumb is that everyone interested and working with design education is welcome. You don’t need to have the title, but instead are interested in learning and contributing within the area of education in the context of design.
Team: Jenny Theolin + Tash Willcox
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TOOLBOX TOOLBOX
A curated archive of the best business, design and organisational change toolboxes by the most influential companies, institutions and thinkers in the world, including IDEO, Microsoft, Adobe,, Google Ventures, Nesta, Automattic, Atlassian and more. We set precedent for methods and tools to showcase who to learn from, collaborate and co-create with, by highlighting them on the site and curating interviews on Medium.
Team: Jenny Theolin + Jorik Elferink + Steve Thomas + Åsa Samuelsson + Kat Trigarszky + Egle Obarskaite
“Working with Jenny has been inspirational for both me and my team. During the covid spring of 2020 Jenny facilitated a digital team-building session and a digital sales conference with wonderful energy resulting in unique digital experiences where we were introduced to different useful tools. Jenny as a facilitator has an impressive way of making participants feel safe and deliver at their best.”
– Hanna Rydmark, Marketing Director på Haugen-Gruppen AB Sweden
Follow me on Instagram
“Jenny Theolin make learning design and facilitation look easy. Combining energy and enthusiasm Jenny creates dynamic and safe settings that nurture exploration and support development of team performance, as well as individual growth. Execution and delivery is as important as planning and structure to Jenny – but what make her stand out is the curiosity and heart she brings to the table.”
– Antonio Molin, Former MA student / PhD Candidate / Senior Business Developer at The Swedish Social Insurance Agency
