Issue: Visiont Section: Advisory Board
Founder, President and JourneyWoman
Dafna Michaelson is the founder, president and JourneyWoman for the 50 in 52 Journey, a project for which she traveled across America to all 50 states and Washington D.C., spanning the 52 weeks of 2009 to find America's problem-solvers and idea generators. Through this journey, Michaelson has been sharing the stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things for their communities throughout the country, with the goal of changing the mirror we use that reflects who we are as a society and thus inspiring others to action.
The project received national attention from “CBS Sunday Morning,” NPR, CNN as well as KUSA-TV, Denver’s NBC affiliate, the Denver Post, 5280 Magazine, multiple radio stations, local news outlets, countless blog recognition, and social media for social good awards as the country became motivated by the Journey.
In 2010, Michaelson launched the Journey Institute and Journey Productions to help others mobilize their communities to action including through her radio show, conferences, social media engagement and her upcoming book.
Through her contract with the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, Michaelson has been developing workshops and classroom materials based on her 50 in 52 Journey to elevate youth to the role of community problem solvers and to create safe social and emotional learning spaces by working with faculty, staff and students to develop a base level of the workings of productive kind communities. Additionally in 2010, as founder of the Women as SOCIAL Entrepreneurs group, Michaelson brings together women in a supportive environment to grow business ideas that benefit the community.
Most recently, Michaelson joined the TED family first as a presenter for TedxDenverEd and now as curator of TedxCrestmoorPark: Breaking Boundaries, Building Community and TedxCrestmoorParkWomen. Local community achievements include: Leadership Denver 2008, Denver Health Foundation’s Level 1 Society Board, Downtown Denver Partnership Leadership Program 2007, Mayoral appointment to the Denver Women’s Commission, Current Board Member of the Colorado Women’s Lobby, Past President of Denver Chapter of Hadassah, Current Member of Commerce City Economic Development Committee, Adjunct Faculty Member of Metro State College of Denver Center For Innovation Teaching “Entrepreneurial Promotions,” Youth Mentor: Metro State College of Denver Center For Innovation Young Entrepreneurs Challenge. Michaelson has been recognized nationally, as well as locally, for her achievements. She was awarded the 2010 Person of the Year award by “Conversations Magazine.” More recently she was recognized by “ColoradoBiz” magazine as a “Trendsetter” for being a social entrepreneur and “making a difference in business and beyond.” As well as by David Siteman Garland of the entrepreneurial business series The Rise to the Top amongst “35 Female Visionaries You Need to Know.”
In 2011, Michaelson was presented the Go-Giver award personally by Bob Burg, author of the international best-selling series Go-Giver books, in recognition of her national and global achievements in community building.
Michaelson shares a beautiful Colorado lifestyle with her husband Michael Jenet, and their combined children Ryan 17, Gavriella 11, and Eytan 9.