CRAIG NEAL
HEARTLAND INC.
craig@heartlandcircle.com
http://www.heartlandcircle.com/

BIOGRAPHY
Since awakening to his life's purpose in 1963, Craig Neal has celebrated life as a passionate change leader, publishing executive and organizational executive and guide to those called to authentically show up in life and work.

Throughout the 70s, 80s, and 90s Craig held executive positions with Garden Way, Inc, Rodale Publishing and helped launch Harrowsmith and Eating Well magazines. In 1996 he concluded his publishing career and as Publisher of Utne Magazine. In 1996 Craig founded Heartland Inc. with Patricia, his wife of 26 years. Since then he has been dedicated to creating networks of authenticity and essential conversations among individuals and within organizations through training and convening events that serve to bring about the desired systemic personal, social and organizational transformations needed in these extraordinary times.

In 1998 Heartland produced the first "Thought Leader Gathering" for 40 change leaders in Minnesota. Eight years and 135 Gatherings later, Craig has guided over 1300 leaders in these ongoing membership based groups in Minnesota and the Bay Area of Calif. He and Patricia created the Essential Conversations Process (ECP) for educators (Circle of Fire) and MBA students, along with convening meetings for businesses and communities alike.

In 2004 Craig launched the Art of Convening TeleTraining series for those called to be an inspired catalysts for change in their organization or community. Over 200 leaders are currently engaged or have graduated from 22 Art of Convening groups.

He also leads group journeys of inner vision and adventure into the wilderness of the boundary water of northern Minnesota and eastern Africa.

Craig is skilled at building relationships within and across organizations and in developing and maintaining superior communication skills and member relations. He founded the Conscious Business Alliance, the Minnesota Magazine Publishers Association, and served as a founding board member of Business for Social Responsibility and of Responsible Minnesota Business. Craig lives with Patricia and their two sons on an urban gardenstead in Minnesota. He loves the land, is an avid gardener, beekeeper and voyageur. He is currently writing The Art of Convening: Authentic Engagement in Meetings, Gatherings and Conversations.

ESSAYS
The Essential Path: Convening Meetings That Work (pdf)
The Great Remembering (pdf)

FAVORITE QUOTE
"There is an almost sensual longing for communion with others who have a large vision. The immense fulfillment of the friendship between those engaged in furthering the evolution of consciousness has a quality impossible to describe."
- Pierre Teilhard de Chardin