A bold new offering

Our first introduction of Embolden by Design (ExD) to the library world happened at NEXT Library Satellite Seoul in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, May 22, 2026, during my presentation with Peter Jørgensen, "The Heart of Town: Designing for Meaningful Engagement." During the session, we shared examples of the types of creative strategies for community building ExD will bring through this training experience.

In August 2025, Amanda Mininger and I met at Cuba Cuba in Denver’s Golden Triangle for one of our regular check-ins. We've been good friends since working as editors in the Business Wire newsroom, when I first moved to Denver in 2004.

At times when the Anythink team was in transition, Amanda helped as an independent contractor to support our communications efforts. 

I often refer to her as my “sister in activism” after we co-led the PR and media team for a 4,000-member, Colorado-based grassroots organization from 2017-2020. Our knowledge exchange and collaborations on civic engagement continue.

Amanda has freelanced for 10+ years, and her guidance has been invaluable to me as a new entrepreneur. Our check-ins were times to debrief and process matters of democracy and  business.

Over mint-topped mojitos, Amanda shared how AI was impacting her writing work, especially among her tech clients. She was at a crossroads, reassessing where to put her energies next, just as I was considering next steps for my own business. 

How could we merge our skills and expertise with our desire to support libraries and communities during complex times? 

Shortly after, I met up with Laureen Trainer, at another favorite establishment across town. Laureen and I became friends while she was consulting with Anythink. A brilliant evaluator for museums and libraries, she’s also been a major support and wealth of knowledge to my consultancy. 

Sparks flew from her eyes when I shared the idea Amanda and I were kicking around. We gesticulated wildly, banging fists on the table with excitement about what this idea could be. 

And here we are, introducing Embolden by Design (ExD).

ExD is a holistic training experience to help library staff deliver bold programs that address a deeply fragmented, polarized society. This isn’t about teaching staff what they already know how to do. It’s about strengthening the mindset, capacity, and practice of boldness in complex times.

We've spent the last nine months discussing with colleagues and each other our shared understanding of the pressing challenges libraries face right now and the enormous opportunity to solve them.

With Embolden by Design – born from our skills and experience, powered by your courage and determination – we can solve them together.

We look forward to taking the next leap with you. 

Interested in bringing ExD to your library? Let's connect.

Read our press release announcing ExD's launch at emboldenbydesign.com/news.

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Special thanks to colleagues and friends who have helped us along the way: Cindy Fisher, Shamichael Hallman, Steve Hansen, Nate Hill, Carrie Jany, Peter Jørgensen, Meaghan O'Conner, Marie Østergård and Pam Sandlian Smith.