Art Shirk, Ed.D., Principal

In my best moments, my greatest aspiration is to create experience and learning for others that results in more freedom…freedom to express, freedom to create, freedom to impact desired change. I believe that most of the world’s dire problems would dramatically fall away if more of us could get untangled from the limited ways we view ourselves and the world.

I love learning…my own and yours. I believe that we learn best when we continually throw ourselves into situations that are new and challenging. That means, of course, that I often am quite certain that I have very little idea of how to go about accomplishing the task ahead of me! You’ll hear me say “I have some ideas, but let’s figure that out together…” Frankly, my best work comes from these moments of not knowing, when I can hold questions and challenges with lightness and humor, and maintain a deep respect for all that is entailed in being human.

I'm currently the Vice President for Product Development at the Coaches Training Institute, and work with a small number of coaching and consulting clients. Past organizational roles included Senior Director of Learning and Leadership at Princeton University, Vice President of Learning and Communications at Fidelity Investments, and Business Development Manager at the former Digital Equipment Corporation. I received my doctorate in education from Columbia University's Teachers College in 2006, where I did my dissertation research on transformative learning and leadership development. I hold an MBA from Boston University, and my coaching certification is through the Coaches Training Institute and International Coach Federation.

Art Shirk, Ed.D.

Beyond the Box Colleagues

Depending on the needs of a project, we collaborate with a network of independent consultants and agencies — each of which brings an area of specialized expertise in somehow creating results “beyond the box."

	Coaching Hall International is the premiere source of coach training in Latin America, led by my partners Luis and Sonia. www.coachinghallinternational.com
	L.A. Reding and Company: L.A. Reding, M.Ed., CPCC is president of her coaching company in Davidson, NC, and travels extensively around the globe building new coaching talent. For L.A., coaching is a marvelous collaboration that inspires, strengthens and moves people to explore the infinite possibilities that life offers. See her web site at www.steppingitup.com.
	The Wellness Company: From humor to movement to creative experiential learning, The Wellness Company boosts organizational productivity through mind, body and soul! email zansell@crocker.com
	The Bigger Game Company is committed to acknowledging the human condition in the workplace by providing companies with revolutionary ways to achieve and sustain breakthrough performance and results. Their innovative programs and methodologies inspire and educate leaders worldwide to build extraordinary teams, client relationships, and co-active cultures. www.thebiggergame.com
	Heidi Wormser/Magic Box Studio: Heidi Wormser provides graphic support including web site design and construction. www.magicboxstudio.com or email heidi@magicboxstudio.com