Michelle Latvala

Michelle Latvala is an experienced leader, collaborator, and facilitator with a deep commitment to humanity, nature, and authenticity. She led Spirit Rock Meditation Center as Executive Director from 2011-2022, and mentors leaders and non-profit organizations in leadership development, strategy, and DEIA. Michelle is currently part of two international leadership cohorts: one funded by the Bess Family Foundation centered on expanding Buddhist teachings in nature, and another with Emergence Magazine focused on spiritual ecology and adaptive leadership. Michelle recently founded Insight Outside, a series of remote programs that combine meditation, writing, and wilderness. Michelle’s poetry has been recently featured in Kerning: A Space for Words and Irene Young’s video poetry series, and her debut collection of poems 'Between Latitudes' will be published in March 2025 by Green Writers Press. Michelle graduated from Stanford University with Phi Beta Kappa honors and a degree in Social Psychology, and migrates thoughtfully between responsibilities in eastern Alaska and northern California. Michelle first got involved in Conversational Leadership with David Whyte in 2019 and is delighted to be facilitating individuals and groups through this meaningful work.