Do you offer virtual and in-person sessions?

Yes, both. Workshops, keynotes, and coaching can be delivered virtually or on-site. Ayanna is based in the San Francisco Bay Area and travels for in-person engagements.

What is your cancellation and rescheduling policy?

A free consultation can be rescheduled up to 24 hours before the slot at no cost. For booked engagements, cancellations made 14 or more days out are fully refundable; within 14 days, a 50% retainer applies.

What group sizes do you facilitate?

Workshops are effective for groups of 5 to 60. Intensive coaching and leadership sessions work best with 5 to 15 participants, while larger trainings and keynotes can accommodate auditorium-sized audiences.

Can you customize a workshop for our organization?

Yes. Every engagement is tailored, with curriculum built around your team's goals, industry, and culture rather than an off-the-shelf program.

Is the initial consultation really free?

Yes. The 30-minute consultation is completely free with no obligation. It is a chance to talk through your goals and map out next steps.

How do I get pricing for a workshop or engagement?

Pricing varies based on scope, audience size, format, and duration, so each engagement is quoted individually. Send details through the inquiry form or book a free consultation for a tailored proposal.

Communications Specialist · Facilitator · Curriculum Developer · Emcee

Leading change
with a people‑centered
framework.

For over a decade, I've helped organizations, leaders, and early-career professionals communicate with clarity, resolve conflict, and lead with authenticity.

Book a Free Consultation Join My Mailing List

Ayanna Thompson

M.A.T · 10+ years

The Narrative Arc

From the airwaves to the classroom to the boardroom.

I began my career behind a microphone as a radio DJ — learning that the most powerful thing you can do is hold attention with authenticity and earn trust in real time. That same instinct carried me into the classroom as a high school English teacher, then onward to become a Senior Program Director across secondary education, higher ed, and workforce development.

Along the way I earned my Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T) and have spent over a decade coaching 1,000+ people — early-career employees, managers, and leadership teams — using a restorative justice lens to shape how people talk, listen, and grow together.

Whether I'm facilitating a workshop, designing curriculum, keynoting a conference, or hosting an event, my role is the same: to leverage the skills and experience already in the room so that every person leaves feeling more informed, more connected, and a little more themselves than when they arrived.

10+

Years Experience

1,000+

People Coached

M.A.T

Education

The Offering

Six tracks, one frequency.

Every offering draws on the same through-line — communication as a tool for connection, clarity, and change.

Navigate conflict. Lead through complexity.

Generative conflict turns friction into forward motion. Ayanna works with businesses and nonprofits to help leaders move through complex organizational challenges with clarity and care.

Featured

01Generative Conflict

02Trust in Practice

Workshop Facilitation & Training

Interactive, learner-centered sessions on conflict resolution, interpersonal communication, and people-first management — built to leverage the lived experience already in the room.

Curriculum Development

Custom learning design rooted in pedagogy and restorative practice — from single workshops to full multi-week programs for early-career and workforce development cohorts.

Speaking & Keynotes

Keynotes and talks that blend the cadence of a broadcaster with the depth of an educator — designed to move a room and leave it with something real.

Emcee Services

Hosting for conferences, galas, and corporate events — keeping energy high, transitions seamless, and audiences genuinely engaged.

Conflict Resolution Facilitation

Guided restorative conversations that help teams repair harm, rebuild trust, and move forward with shared language and understanding.

Coaching

One-on-one and small-group coaching for emerging leaders focused on communication, presence, and leading with impact.

Curated Impact

Signature workshops.

Track 01

Managing Culture, Not People

Shift the lens from individual oversight to cultivating a culture where people thrive on their own terms.

Fostering psychological safety for peak performance
Moving from traditional oversight to cultural cultivation
Aligning individual growth with organizational values
Leading through influence rather than hierarchical control

Track 02

Interpersonal Communication Strategies

Navigate difficult conversations, de-escalate conflict, and preserve the relationship — even when the topic is hard.

Decoding non-verbal cues and subtext in professional settings
Mastering the art of active, empathetic listening
Adapting communication styles to diverse stakeholder needs
Building rapport through authentic, transparent dialogue

Track 03

Generative Conflict

Reframe conflict as a catalyst for innovation — where friction fuels breakthroughs, not breakdowns.

Reframing conflict as a catalyst for innovation
Applying restorative justice frameworks to team friction
Transforming difficult conversations into collaborative breakthroughs
Developing emotional resilience during high-stakes disagreements

In Their Words

The proof is in the people.

“

Ayanna has a rare gift — she makes a room feel safe enough to be honest. Our team walked out not just with new skills, but with real understanding of one another.

Yvonne Aburrow

Senior Software Developer, Momentive AI

“

The most engaging facilitator we've brought in. She reads the room instantly and adjusts without missing a beat. People are still talking about the session weeks later.

Tyler Dass

HR Specialist, One Workplace

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