About Cecilia
“I define connection as the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.” “Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.”
~ Brene Brown
Liminality …
is the condition of being on a threshold or at the beginning of a process. With interests and involvement in more than one sphere, this ability offers an opportunity to drift between trades, organizations and focuses seamlessly.
Combined with a natural instinct to connect and link, I work to introduce and bond to create intersections, collisions and serendipity for a more enriching and beneficial relationship for everyone. Impactful networking, building and rebuilding community, improve communication and processes are at the center of my work.
I am passionately involved in efforts towards inclusion and work for belonging both socially and professionally. Multicultural and multilingual.
About Cecilia
“I define connection as the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.” “Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.”
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- Brene Brown
Liminality …
is the condition of being on a threshold or at the beginning of a process. With interests and involvement in more than one sphere, this ability offers an opportunity to drift between trades, organizations and focuses seamlessly.
Combined with a natural instinct to connect and link, I work to introduce and bond to create intersections, collisions and serendipity for a more enriching and beneficial relationship for everyone. Impactful networking, building and rebuilding community, improve communication and processes are at the center of my work.
I am passionately involved in efforts towards inclusion and work for belonging both socially and professionally. Multicultural and multilingual.
Cecilia Wessinger is a consultant, advisor, and entrepreneurial ecosystem builder with more than a decade of experience working across borders to strengthen communities of innovation. She currently serves as a Global Advisor with the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) and previously led GEN’s global community as Director, where she worked closely with leadership teams in countries around the world to grow ecosystems and expand GEN’s presence.
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Before joining GEN, Cecilia consulted with the Kauffman Foundation and designed mastermind workshops and cohorts internationally. She brings extensive experience mentoring startup founders, ecosystem builders, and organizations, and currently serves on the Core Team of the ESHIP Alliance and the Executive Board of the Institute for Work and the Economy.
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In her work, Cecilia focuses on cultivating community, fostering belonging, and catalyzing collaboration. She has spoken, facilitated, and curated panels at major innovation and entrepreneurship events including the OECD, Inventures, Global Entrepreneurship Congress, The Next Web, and the ESHIP and SBA Innovation Summits.
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She has also judged and supported pitch competitions for SXSW, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and the U.S. Department of State’s Global Innovation through Science and Technology program. Beyond her global work, Cecilia is deeply rooted in local service, having served on more than a dozen nonprofit boards spanning arts, education, and entrepreneurship. She also serves on the boards of the Institute for Work and the Economy and the Startup Champions Network.
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A former travel industry professional, Cecilia has lived, worked, and traveled extensively around the world. Her favorite person is her son, JD who is currently exploring and enjoying his own global adventures; though Bruce Springsteen is high on her list.
“Diversity is being invited to the party, inclusion is being asked to dance.” ~Verna Myers
Taking it further to say, “Belonging is dancing like nobody’s watching.”