Академический Документы
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Summary
Betsey builds global knowledge networks to connect research and industry. She specializes in
knowledge management, programs and communications to engage regional social and economic
assets for Open Source Economic Development (OSED).
Betsey understands how to implement civic engagement programs for communities, organizations,
and entrepreneurs to generate networks and collaborations for business development.
Betsey's an experienced coach, mentor and trainer and publishes to the Institute for Open Economic
Networks (I-Open), a not-for-profit educational economic organization.
Specialties
Research and industry networks; Internet research; civic, business, government, academic
engagement; broadcast conversations for education, economic and workforce development; business
development.
Web 2.0 publishing; blogging and microblogging; web site and collaborative workspace design;
communications & social media outreach; technical support & consulting.
Experience
Co-Founder & Director at The Institute for Open Economic Networks (I-Open)
July 2005 - Present (5 years 6 months)
Betsey is a coach, mentor and trainer for entrepreneurs in new practices and tools for Open Source
Economic Development and specializes in collaborative leadership, network building and project
management. Her work is team based and focuses on rebuilding and strengthening local
community network infrastructure (social, resources and capabilities) for national and global reach.
Betsey's work experience is rooted in developing and deploying face-to-face and online community
building process accelerated by Web 2.0 tools for PR 2.0. Betsey identifies and connects innovation
and enterprise activity in academic, civic, business and government sectors to strengthen open
economic networks.
4 recommendations available upon request
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member of the Organizing Committee for the 2nd International Conference on Collaborative
Innovation Networks COINs 2010 hosted by the Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD) in
collaboration with MIT Center for Collective Intelligence, Wayne State University School of
Engineering - Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, and SCAD. Her work focused on
executing a social media interface, digital publishing, strengthening collaborative community
cohesion, and ongoing associated project work to engage and expand global audiences for
research and industry innovation. View (below) or download a copy of the COINs 2010 Steering
Committee Letter of Recommendation at http://scr.bi/dTGSN8
"We would like to thank Betsey Merkel from I-Open for her invaluable contributions to the success
of the conference. In preparing the conference, Betsey was instrumental in organizing a social
networking campaign on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media, which greatly increased the
international appeal and perception of the conference, while reaching a new audience that was
previously unaware of the conference. Betsey organized and ran live video streaming of all
conference sessions, serving as a reporter and news anchor during the sessions and connecting
with a live audience joining the conference through Livesteam from all over the world...she also did
excellent video interviews with key participants. These videos are now a lasting legacy to the
success of the conference. Betsey’s activities greatly contributed to the success and lasting impact
of the COINs2010 conference (www.COINs2010.com)!" - Christine Miller, Ph.D. Professor Design
Management, Savannah College of Art and Design; Ken Riopelle, Research Professor Wayne
State University; Julia C. Gluesing, Research Professor Wayne State University; Peter A. Gloor,
Ph.D. Research Scientist MIT Center for Collective Intelligence
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Co-Founder and Managing Director of Equestrian Training and Education Center and Co-Director
Historic Facility Restoration, Hunting Valley, OH.
1 recommendation available upon request
Education
Case Western Reserve University
BA, music, 1977 - 1983
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Honors and Awards
High School:
Graduating Class Science Award, Leadership Award, and Art Award
College:
Salzedo School Performance Scholarship Award
Case Western Reserve University, Ph.D. Program Scholarship
Professional Honors:
- 1995 Ohio Arts Presenters Award of Merit
- 1992-1997 Office of the Governor of the State of Ohio, Public Education Seminar
- 1995 People's Republic of China, Guest of the Government, Performance and Teaching Tour
Interests
Music, gardening, science, historical places, international cultures
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Betsey Merkel
Program and Communications Specialist
betseymerkel@gmail.com
"Betsy is creative and energetic and totally committed to building new approaches to building
communities through open networks. She devotes herself without hesitation to exploring new
connections and applying new tools to the task of creating more vibrant and sustainable
communities."
— Ed Morrison, Principal, I-Open, worked directly with Betsey at The Institute for Open Economic
Networks (I-Open)
"Betsey is gifted in many ways. One of them is that she sees trends before anybody else and
begins very early to figure out and to put into place implementations around them. She is an
innovator who sets the open standards and best practices and shares them freely. She
understands the benefits of collaboration in a networked world."
— Tim Ferris, citizen and taxpayer, City of Cleveland, worked with Betsey at The Institute for Open
Economic Networks (I-Open)
"I believe that Betsey's previous experience in the complex world of classical music prepared her
well for her work at Case Western Reserve University's Center for Regional Economic Issues as
their Network Strategist & Development Person. I feel that Betsey learned the value of individual
musical voices as part of a self-directed and self-managed musical ensemble performing both
nationally and internationally. This listening ability distinctly enabled her to respect the unique and
heartfelt ideas and topics that were being communicated in the open minded forum that was the
Center for Regional Economic Issues at Case Western Reserve University. These days, Betsey still
retains those abilities, and has even tuned them more finely since the days at REI. I hereby
recommend Betsey as an orchestrator, a collaborator, an editor, a (constructive) critic, as a
cooperative worker, as a (part-time) muse, and as a friend."
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— Bill MacDermott, Former ES&H Manager, Braden Sutphin Ink Company, was with another
company when working with Betsey at Case Western Reserve University
"Want to learn more about economic development in our region? Well, Betsey is the go to person.
She is very passionate about economic development and the need to build collaborative
partnerships between the private and public sectors. She is very involved in NEO and surrounding
areas and is creating new and innovative programs to bring people and services together."
— Bonnie Dick, Employment Consultant, CGI, worked with Betsey at Center for Regional
Economic Issues
"Betsey's passion for I-Open's work is evident in everything she does. She is an ardent supporter of
Cleveland's urban areas and is committed to their revitalization. She is a great asset to our region."
— Bethany Hilt, was with another company when working with Betsey at I-Open
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