April 23, 2026
In today’s environment, organizations that cannot tell a compelling, human-centered story about who they are, what they do, and why it matters are at a disadvantage. Storytelling is no longer optional. It’s a core leadership skill, a strategic asset, and a cultural glue. Storytelling builds organizational capacity by strengthening core elements that contribute to an organization’s ability to fulfill its mission, adapt to change, and achieve long-term sustainability. The 7 core elements to be addressed in the webinar are: internal alignment, engagement and trust; communication and collaboration; resource development; leadership and decision-making; strategic planning and innovation; and preserving institutional memory.
May 14, 2026
It’s never too early to plan for leadership transition. Learn how Storytelling Arts of Indiana navigated succession while moving from cofounder leadership to a successor—what worked, what didn’t, and the lessons learned.
Ronan Marra is Executive Director of Storytelling Arts of Indiana. He previously served as Artistic Director of Storefront Theatre of Indianapolis (2016–2024) and Co-Artistic Director of Chicago’s Signal Ensemble Theatre (2002–2015). He has directed, written, or produced over 60 productions and has been part of the Indianapolis arts community for 10 years. storytellingarts.org
Ellen Munds retired from Storytelling Arts of Indiana in 2024. As the organization’s sole staff member, she managed all operations, including finance, marketing, programming, fundraising (including endowment and planned giving), volunteers, board relations, and succession planning.
May 28, 2026
Stories Inside Words is a webinar that helps participants see how our lives and even our language are formed by our prior experiences, using stories to tap the richness of the meaning of those experiences. For organizations, it also demonstrates how we interpret words depends on our perceptions as shown through the stories elicited by those words. When Stories Inside Words are used effectively, words that are overused blossom with new vitality.