Learn about Natalie Portman-Marsh
Hi, I’m Natalie, thanks for visiting my site.
These written works will bring concepts of Emergent Learning, organizational culture, and inclusion together to help create the conditions for a positive workplace. I hope you will gain useful information here but also contribute to this work as we build and test concepts together.
I’ve spent my early years in clinical social work receiving my Masters from Columbia University School of Social Work, and working with runaway homeless youth at Covenant House, NY. Since moving to CO in 1992, my focus has been on system reform focusing on social justice reforms - with child welfare, behavioral health, juvenile justice, early childhood education, and promoting civic leaders through community engagement in policy and practice decisions.
For a span of 12 years, I was the Operations Director at a research and policy firm in Denver, where I earned the title of ‘Culture Tsar.’ During my tenure, the firm increased from 4 to 24 staff. Diversifying the team created enormous benefits and challenges to existing norms and unarticulated thinking. I hired, trained, supervised, and supported staff in their work and within the workplace. Over time, project management updates became ‘check-in’s’, where individual staff and organizational ‘temperature’ would be assessed.
Adapting and sustaining positive organizational culture can be a stand-alone job...but it rarely is.
As a Master Practitioner in Emergent Learning, I embrace iterative learning practices. The ability to learn over time with others can accelerate everyone's best thinking and work process. Principles of Emergent Learning emphasize the value of diverse viewpoints and inclusion - a natural orientation for building a positive work culture.
This intersection of Emergent Learning and Organizational Culture offers sustainable strategies to promote inclusion and buy-in - conditions for a positive work environment. A positive organizational culture may increase workplace efficiency, problem-solving ability, and ultimately reduce staff turnover.
As a consultant and professor, I facilitate coalition meetings, strategic and action planning, leadership retreats as well as offer operations coaching, and organizational culture assessments. As a subcontractor to Fourth Quadrant Partners, I train and coach on Emergent Learning practices.
I work with philanthropy, business, governmental, private, and non-profit sectors. I currently teach at the University of Denver, Graduate School of Social Work as an Adjunct Professor, offering classes in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Community Theory, Advocacy, Social Work Practice, and Ethics.
I am currently on the Board od Directors of the Colorado School Medicaid Consortium and Rocky Mountain Equi Rhythm, an equine therapy non-profit. I look forward to working with you.
Reach out if you’re interested in working together