Dafna Michaelson is the founder, president and JourneyWoman for the 50 in 52 Journey, a project for which she traveled across America to all
50 states and Washington DC, spanning the 52 weeks of 2009 to find America's problem solvers and idea generators. Through this Journey Michaelson
has been sharing the stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things for their communities throughout the country, with the goal of changing
the mirror we use that reflects who we are as a society and thus inspiring others to action.
The project received national attention from CBS Sunday Morning, NPR, CNN as well as KUSA-TV, Denver’s NBC affiliate, the Denver Post, 5280
Magazine, multiple radio stations, local news outlets and countless blog recognition, and social media for social good awards as the country
became motivated by the Journey.
In 2010 Michaelson launched the Journey Institute and Journey Productions to help others mobilize their communities to action including through
her radio show, upcoming public television series, conferences and contracts with organizations such as the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation.
Additionally in 2010, as founder of the Women as SOCIAL Entrepreneurs group, Michaelson brings together women in a supportive environment to
grow business ideas that benefit community.
Most recently, Michaelson joined the TED family first as a presenter for TedxDenverEd and now as curator of TedxCrestmoorPark: Breaking Boundaries,
Building Community and TedxCrestmoorParkWomen.
Local community achievements include:
Leadership Denver 2008, Denver Health Foundation’s Level 1 Society Board, Downtown Denver Partnership Leadership Program 2007, Mayoral appointment
to the Denver Women’s Commission, Current Board Member of the Colorado Women’s Lobby, Past President of Denver Chapter of Hadassah, Current Member
of Commerce City Economic Development Committee, Adjunct Faculty Member of Metro State College of Denver Center For Innovation Teaching
“Entrepreneurial Promotions”, Youth Mentor: Metro State College of Denver Center For Innovation Young Entrepreneurs Challenge.
Michaelson has been recognized nationally as well as locally for her achievments. She was awarded the 2010 Person of the Year award by
Conversations magazine. More recently she was recognized by ColoradoBiz Magazine as a “Trendsetter” for being a social entrepreneur and “making
a difference in business and beyond.” As well as by David Siteman Garland of the entrepreneurial business series The Rise to the Top amongst “35
Female Visionaries You Need to Know.”
In 2011 Michaelson was presented the Go-Giver award personally by Bob Burg, author of the international best selling series Go-Giver books,
in recognition of her national and global achievements in community building.
Michaelson shares a beautiful Colorado lifestyle with her husband Michael Jenet, and their combined children Ryan 16, Gavriella 10, and Eytan 9.
For information on booking speaking engagements for Dafna Michaelson please
click HERE
Michael Jenet
Chief Executive Officer
Michael Jenet is the man whose question “If we win the Lottery, will you travel?” led to the conversation that became the 50 in 52 Journey.
His lifetime study of people and human nature, his passion for helping people find and utilize every morsel of talent within, combined with his
creative and logically oriented way of seeing the world in which we live is the perfect recipe for bringing community problem solvers to the
height of their success.
He is also the creator of Motivestions™, a simple but powerful approach for helping anyone achieve their goals and dreams no matter how big or how
small and no matter what level of personal success they may be at in their lives.
As an eight year Veteran of the United States Air Force and with a distinguished career in the Information Technology field, Michael has a strong
background of dedication and commitment to helping people achieve their upmost potential.
His career has taken him from the US Air Force and his first leadership role as a Flight Commander for the 8th Air Force Honor Guard, to building
IT Departments and Web Development groups from the ground up, to working as the Assistant Director of Technology and Operations for one of the most
successful affiliate television stations in the country to his current role as the Chief Executive Officer for Signal Behavioral Health Network.
Michael is active in the community, serving on boards and committees. He has worked with groups giving motivational speeches, and helped individuals
break through boundaries, inspiring people to reach for and achieve whatever they aspire to be.
With his unique approach to management based on having fun and joy at work, his creative out-of-the-box thinking, his ability to inspire and motivate
people with humor and insight and now with the introduction of Motivestions™, Michael’s background and experience have all led up to the enthusiastic
passion with which he is now taking on his new role as Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Journey Institute.
Valerie Baker-Easley
Director of Development
As an organizational leader and manager, Valerie Baker-Easley brings over ten
years’ experience in development, advocacy and community relations. Her career includes leadership of
healthcare and homelessness organizations as well as a stint with a Fortune 500
corporation. She has served on a variety of boards in Northern Colorado for
organizations dedicated to social justice and international relations.
She holds a BA in Sociology and Gender Studies and has completed coursework with
the International Institute for Sustainable Development at Colorado State
University.
Baker-Easley has over 30 years of study in spirituality in the US, Canada, Nepal
and India. She is passionate
about the work of the Journey Institute and embraces the opportunity to support,
connect and empower the changemakers transforming our world.