Author: Dunrie

  • In the Room for What’s Next: Why I’m Showing Up for IRL Events

    In the Room for What’s Next: Why I’m Showing Up for IRL Events

    Lately, you’ve probably seen more posts from me both here and on LinkedIn about in-person events in Ann Arbor, including the Sustainability & Innovation Coffee Meet Up, Cahoots Mentorship Circles, and more.

    Sustainability & Innovation Meet Up February 2025
    Matt Kirsch speaking at the Sustainability & Innovation Meet-Up – February 2025

    If it seems like I’m suddenly, loudly everywhere, here’s why: I’m intentionally reconnecting with people, with ideas, and with what’s next.

    Remote Work Was Great Until It Wasn’t Enough

    Like many of us, I have been working remotely for years now. My work—mostly with scientific and technical teams at universities and early-stage startups—is location-independent and often global.

    And I’ve loved it. Remote collaboration is flexible, efficient, and creates the space—mental and physical—for deep, focused work.

    But something shifted and connecting only online became strangely draining. Even as someone who values solitude, I missed people in the same room. I needed the friendly waves, the raised eyebrows, the casual sidebars. I missed being a part of a local community.

    Coworking Helped. IRL Events Even More

    That shift led me to join a coworking office in Ann Arbor. I wasn’t just looking for a desk, I wanted casual, familiar camaraderie: “non-work work friends.”

    I don’t go every day, and if I have a schedule packed with video calls, it’s simpler to stay in my home office. Yet, on days and tasks when I need to work through something tangled, think deeply, write, or resist the urge to procrastinate, I need my coworking desk. There’s something grounding about the quiet hum of others working nearby—it helps me settle in, focus, and work through problems.

    But coworking was just the start.

    I wanted to connect more intentionally and IRL (in real life) with people I admire, with communities I care about, and with the local ecosystem of mission driven leaders and entrepreneurs. So I started organizing and attending more events.

    Exploring What’s Next

    I’m also in a moment of transition, exploring what’s next in my career. That’s a big part of why I’m showing up to more events, and why I’m investing energy into hosting some of my own.

    Sustainability & Innovation Coffee Meet-Up at Bamboo Ann Arbor, March 2025
    Sustainability & Innovation Coffee Meet-Up at Bamboo Ann Arbor, March 2025

    Whether it’s co-founding the Sustainability & Innovation Coffee Meet-Up with William Crane, or collaborating with Ayishwariya Menon on the Cahoots Mentorship Circle, I’m building spaces I want to be part of, and enjoying meeting others doing the same.

    Mentorship Circle at Cahoots - April 2025
    Mentorship Circle at Cahoots – April 2025

    These gatherings have been a joy to me. I’m grateful to be surrounded by people who are curious, generous, and community-oriented.

    Let’s Connect

    If you’re also navigating change, looking for connection, or just feeling the need to get out of the house, I hope you’ll join one of these meetups. Or shoot me a note—I’d love to hear what you’re working on, what you’re excited about, or what kind of community you’re craving right now.

    Here’s to finding energy, inspiration, and opportunity—together, and in person.


    Where to Find me IRL

  • Moving Beyond Shareholder Primacy – April 2025

    Moving Beyond Shareholder Primacy – April 2025

    Join us Wednesday April 16, 2025 for our monthly Sustainability & Innovation Coffee Series.

    Promo image for Beyond Shareholder Primacy Sustainability & Innovation Discussion - April 2025

    Details

    Topic: Moving Beyond Shareholder Primacy

    Short termism and shareholder primacy have dominated the business landscape for the past four decades, with devastating consequences for society and the environment. 

    Join us to learn more about what it will take to move beyond capitalism’s present worship of shareholder primacy, including corporate transformations to re-embed purpose through reforms to major economic institutions, including business education.  For more, see Hart’s new book, Beyond Shareholder Primacy.

    • Speaker: Stuart L. Hart, Professor in Residence, Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise, University of Michigan
    • Emcee: William Crane, CEO OrbAid
    • Date: Wednesday, April 16, 2025
    • Time: 8 – 9:30 am
    • Where: Venue by 4M, 1919 South Industrial Highway, Ann Arbor, MI 48104

    Registration, coffee, and pastries all free of charge courtesy of our sponsors.

    If you have a copy of the book, please bring it to have it signed. You can get a copy at Literati and from Schuler Books.


    Gratitude

    Thanks to Cathy Colson for graphic design.

    So appreciate Venue for providing the space.

    A big thank you to our sponsors, the Green Business Challenge and Ann Arbor SPARK.

    Visit Sustainability & Innovation Events to sign up for our email list or to learn more about this series. Hope to see you there!

  • Mentorship Circle with Jasmit Kaur

    Mentorship Circle with Jasmit Kaur

    We’re continuing our Cahoots mentoring circle with Culturebie Founder and CEO Jasmit Kaur.

    Join us as we sit down with Jasmit to uncover the secrets of getting promoted, managing performance reviews like a pro, and avoiding those awkward “so… where do you see yourself in five years?” career discussion moments. Having lived through these people process as an employee, and having designed some of those, this “ask me anything” style chat will give you an idea of what happens behind the scenes.

    Jasmit worked for a decade at Microsoft and has advised several Fortune 500 companies on their people & culture strategy. Now, as a founder of Culturebie—a people analytics company—she is applying or unlearning some of her corporate habits.

    Get ready to ask (almost) anything about career growth, startup life, leadership, or personal development in an open and supportive space.

    When: 10:30AM-noon on April 8, 2025 

    Place: @Cahoots

    Please come if you are interested in hearing from Jasmit about her journey and perspective.

    Bring your questions!

    Co-hosted with Ayishwaria Menon. This event is part of a series created by the Cahoots Community Committee. Open to all.

  • KLA’s Michigan Story and Sustainability Journey

    KLA’s Michigan Story and Sustainability Journey

    Join us March 19, 2025 for our monthly Sustainability & Innovation Coffee Series.

    Promo image for March Sustainability & Innovation Coffee - featuring John McLaughlin, Global ESG Leader and Ann Arbor site lead at KLA

    Details

    Topic: KLA’s Michigan Story and Sustainability Journey

    Hear from KLA’s first Ann Arbor employee about the company’s growth to over 650 employees in Michigan and their sustainability journey and global impact. 

    The event is free of charge. Coffee and pastries courtesy of our sponsors.


    Edit: Registration is now closed, hope to see you at an upcoming coffee meetup!


    Gratitude

    Thanks to Cathy Colson for graphic design.

    So appreciate Bamboo Ann Arbor for providing the space.

    A big thank you to our sponsors, the Green Business Challenge and Ann Arbor SPARK.

    Visit Sustainability & Innovation Events to sign up for our email list or to learn more about this series. Hope to see you there!

  • Mentorship Circle with Lisa McLaughlin

    Mentorship Circle with Lisa McLaughlin

    Mentorship Circle with Lisa McLaughlin promo image

    We’re continuing our Cahoots mentoring circle with Workit Health co-founder and former CEO Lisa McLaughlin.

    Lisa will lead us in an activity and discussion on how we can lean into our differences in the professional world.

    Let’s flip the script with Lisa!

    Get ready to ask (almost) anything about career growth, startup life, leadership, or personal development in an open and supportive space.

    When: 10-11:30AM on February 12, 2025 

    Place: @Cahoots

    Please come if you are interested in hearing from Lisa about her journey and perspective.

    Bring your questions!

    Co-hosted with Ayishwaria Menon. This event is part of a series created by the Cahoots Community Committee and this event is part of the February Cove pop-up. Open to all.

  • Argument for Climate Optimism in 2025

    Argument for Climate Optimism in 2025

    Join us February 19, 2025 for the monthly Sustainability & Innovation meetup.

    Promo graphic for February Sustainability & Innovation Coffee

    Details

    Topic: Argument for Climate Optimism in 2025
    How government and private sector innovation are creating a comprehensive portfolio of economical climate solutions

    Registration, coffee, tea, and pastries all free of charge thanks to our sponsors.

    Edit: Registration is now closed, hope to see you at an upcoming coffee meetup!


    Gratitude

    Grateful to Cathy Colson for graphic design.

    So appreciate Cahoots for providing the space.

    Thank you to our sponsors, the Green Business Challenge and Ann Arbor SPARK.

    Visit Sustainability & Innovation Events to sign up for our email list or to learn more about this series. Hope to see you there!