Michelle Latvala

Michelle Latvala is an experienced leader, facilitator, and author with a deep commitment to humanity, nature, and authenticity. She led Spirit Rock Meditation Center as Executive Director from 2011-2022, was Vice President of Leadership Development at Backroads Active Travel from 2000-2010, and currently mentors leaders and non-profit organizations in leadership development and organizational strategy.

Michelle’s book Between Latitudes was published earlier this year by Green Writers Press, profoundly addressing themes of climate, ancestry, and home through her poetry. Michelle recently founded Insight Outside, a series of remote programs that combine meditation, writing, and wilderness, and is part of an international cohort funded by the Bess Family Foundation, centered around expanding Buddhist teachings in nature.

She graduated from Stanford University with Phi Beta Kappa honors in Social Psychology. Michelle migrates thoughtfully with her beloveds between responsibilities in northern California and eastern Alaska, where she built a cabin at the same latitude her Finnish ancestors lived for centuries in the circumpolar boreal forest. Here at the Institute for Conversational Leadership, Michelle serves as core faculty for the year-long Foundations of Leadership program, co-facilitates the online Salon designed specifically for Organizational Leaders, and offers individual coaching and mentoring.