Miranda Cassidy-O'Connell

Miranda has extensive experience in creating conditions that enable diverse voices to reach common ground. Over 30 years, Miranda has worked with multiple stakeholders spanning policy analysis, project management, collaboration training, facilitation, and large group planning. She has particular experience in Māori rights and interests in environmental issues, including fisheries and coastal management. Miranda has worked for iwi, not-for-profit, government and private sectors and is currently director of her own consulting company, FOLKUS Ltd. Miranda holds a BA (Sociology), a MSc (Hons) in Resource Management and qualifications in neuro linguistic programming and regenerative development. She aims to continually learn ways of enabling and inspiring people to work together to build a sustainable society.

Miranda trained as a Future Search facilitator in the USA in 1995 and is an active member of the global Future Search Network. She has co-facilitated three Future Search events in Aotearoa New Zealand, all focused on environmental kaupapa. She is convinced of the transformative capacity of a diverse group of people committed to a clear outcome. Everybody improving whole systems is the tagline of the Future Search methodology and is an approach wholly suited to regenerating the mauri of Te Oneroa a Tōhe.