When I facilitate a session or speak in front of a group, there’s always a moment at the beginning when I introduce myself. Sometimes it’s brief, sometimes I have more space to share. Regardless of length, what I say, and how I say it, helps shape the tone of the whole experience. People may not remember every detail, but they often remember how the introduction made them feel.
It’s easy to default to titles and résumés: “Hi, I’m Krista, I use she/her pronouns. I’m a consultant and facilitator with over 15 years of experience working with nonprofits and associations.” There’s nothing wrong with that. In many sectors, including association management, healthcare, or government, that kind of introduction signals credibility and keeps things tidy. But stopping there misses an opportunity. I miss the chance to show how I work, relationally, with care, and with awareness that every room is full of people navigating real stuff. I miss the chance to model the kind of connection I hope the group will practice too.
So instead, my introductions often sound like this: “Hi, I’m Krista, I use she/her pronouns. I’m a facilitator and strategist whose work sits at the intersection of equity, learning, and organizational change. I’ve worked with associations, nonprofits, and coalitions across the country, but what I really bring is a deep belief that groups already hold the wisdom they need. My job is to help make that wisdom visible. I appreciate humor, clear process, and knowing where the snacks are. I’m based in Michigan, and I’m glad to be with you.”
That version takes a little longer than the résumé-style intro, but the tone it sets feels very different. It makes space for people to feel more human, less performative, and more like they can exhale. If you want to hear what this sounds like in practice, you can watch a short example under two minutes here.
Introductions aren’t one-size-fits-all. Sometimes I have two minutes to set the tone. Other times I have ten minutes to share more of my story and why this work matters. Sometimes, especially in back-to-back sessions, I get one line, but even then, I try to make it meaningful. Instead of memorizing a “perfect” intro, I keep a few ideas in mind: What does this group need to hear? What feels authentic right now? What will build trust and connection?
There’s a myth in facilitation that being neutral means being blank, that to avoid swaying the group, you have to keep yourself out of the space entirely. But neutrality isn’t erasing yourself. It’s not steering the content or outcome, but it doesn’t mean hiding your values, personality, or humanity. I can be clear that the group’s ideas, not mine, shape the process while still being warm, grounded, or vulnerable in how I show up. Sharing who I am, in a way suited to the context, often helps participants feel safer doing the same. You can be transparent without being directive. You can be relational without taking over. You can introduce yourself in a way that says, “I’m not the expert on your work, but I am fully here.”
Whether you lead meetings, serve on committees, speak at conferences, or run teams, you create containers for people to connect, learn, and make decisions. How you show up, even in the first few moments, shapes what others feel permission to do. Introductions aren’t just branding. They’re subtle design choices. They tell people what you value (efficiency, transparency, humor, humility), what energy is welcome in the space, and what kind of connection you’re inviting, or not. This is especially important in association work, where members come from diverse backgrounds and industries. Your intro can lower the temperature, create common ground, and remind people they’re more than representatives — they’re people with real experiences and investment in the conversation.
I think of introducing myself as part of preparing the room. In addition to arranging chairs or lighting a candle, I take a moment to share who I am and why I’m here. Before you begin, consider: What do I usually say? What’s missing? What tone or energy do I want to bring? What do I want people to feel after I speak? Is there a personal detail I can share that feels authentic? Don’t overthink it. This isn’t about a perfect elevator pitch. It’s about alignment, modeling the engagement you want, and being a bit more you. Sometimes that’s all it takes to shift a meeting from checking a box to something meaningful.
