Jeffrey Cufaude is an architect of ideas, working to build communities of ideas and idealists through his writing, facilitation, consulting, and speaking.
My areas of work include strategy think tanks that bring fresh eyes and thinking to critical questions; volunteer and staff development workshops and retreats; content design and facilitation of leadership conferences and learning experiences; and major keynote presentations. All of my efforts are custom-designed based on client-supplied learning objectives. Because my work is known for being engaging and for reflecting the core principles of adult learning, I often am asked to teach others presentation design and facilitation skills.
I believe deeply that the communities of which we are part are resource-full, but we must become more resourceful in how we engage individuals in being caring contributors. My past experience as executive director of two national associations and as a student affairs staff member at two large public universities informs much of my work today. I graduated cum laude with a BA in English and an MA in Communication Theory from Northern Illinois University.
Professional involvement is important to me. I twice served on the Indiana Society of Association Executives Board of Directors (ISAE), and was honored as the ISAE Meeting Planner of the Year. I have contributed in a variety of capacities with ASAE (American Society of Association Executives, most recently on ASAE’s Innovation Task Force where I spearheaded the global InnovationTalks initiative. For 10 years I had the privilege of designing and facilitating ASAE’s Future Leaders Conference, one of the organization’s flagship leadership experiences. And I’ve done dozens (and dozens) of presentations at professional conferences over the years.
Writing is a personal passion and an important professional practice, so I regularly contribute feature articles on leadership and organizational development issues to national association publications. From 2004-2011 I wrote monthly about enhancing community and learning in workshops and conferences as a Contributing Columnist for the Professional Convention Management Association’s Convene magazine. I spoke on lifelong learning at the 2012 TEDx Indianapolis conference and was a co-producer of TEDxIndianapolis in 2013.
I currently reside in a restored 1880 home in the heart of downtown Indianapolis. I have done my tour of the “I” states, living in Illinois, Iowa and Indiana… and eagerly anticipate retirement in Idaho … or maybe Ireland or Italy. In my free time I enjoy reading, tennis, supporting Indy sports teams and arts organizations, and traveling in Europe. And no, despite being 6’6″ tall, I don’t play basketball, but I will pretend I do if it makes you feel better.
Myers-Briggs: ENTJ (low on the E and T)
Gallup StrengthsFinder: Strategic, Learner, Maximizer, Responsibility, Futuristic
DiSC Personal Profile Classical Pattern: usually either Promoter, Persuader, or Inspirational
