Our Story
Deeply entrenched in works of higher education programs at an arts university, Kristina and Anna found themselves confronting a challenge: the lack of an inclusive and open platform where collaboration and transformation could coalesce, develop, and gain momentum.
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From this challenge, the idea of the Transforming Collective was born, a clear testament to both Anna and Kristina’s personal and professional journeys. The collective’s foundation wasn't just a reaction; it was a response to their firsthand experiences with the inadequacies of conventional educational (and not only) structures, the ways those structures shape our society today and thus our future. They sought to establish a platform for transformative processes and collaboration to be developed and thrive.
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Drawing from a range of disciplines like Design Thinking, Circle Practices, Systems Thinking, Collective Presencing, and Theory U, the team has devised an innovative approach—the Collective Transitioning Process. This innovative approach facilitates swift and tangible changes within organisations, promoting reflection, evolution, strengthening relationships, and empowerment among all members. It emphasises the value of organisations' collective intelligence in driving change, nurturing a sense of ownership and purpose.
Our Purpose
At Transforming Collective, our purpose is to empower groups and individuals to navigate the complexities and uncertainties of our time. We equip our clients with comprehensive approaches and practices that enable them to thrive amidst unprecedented shifts. As an action-learning and research hub, we collaborate with diverse clients, focusing on social change and multi-stakeholder initiatives to drive meaningful impact and facilitate collective transitions towards a sustainable and inclusive future. By offering grounded transformational approaches rooted in co-creative processes, we aim to be a catalyst for transformative change in organizations and communities. Together, we envision a world where collective engagement and experiential learning foster a more harmonious society, empowering our clients to navigate complexity with resilience and create positive impacts on the world around us.
The Founders
Anna Maria Ranczakowska
I thrive within ambiguity and complexity and gravitate toward integral, participatory, and embodied work practices. I am passionate about translating the value of care and amplifying the voices and agency of those committed to making positive changes in their communities. I support groups in understanding and sensing dynamics, translating that information into practical ways to facilitate healing and balance.
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My work includes transformative processes, creative facilitation practices, leadership and organisational development, co-creative practices, integrated research, community building, and earth-based wisdom traditions in order to unfold, amplify, and maintain capacities of humans to connect with ourselves, with each other, and with the
natural world around us.
I have studied a range of different domains of humanities, including philosophy, arts and arts management, cultural and social anthropology, as well as the art of designing and facilitating safe developing and co-creative spaces.
I collaborate with multiple universities, networks and NGOs in Europe, assisting young arts professionals in addressing the burning challenges of our times and strengthening their capacity to address them.
My work takes me to many places, among others from Iceland through Morocco and from the United States to China —and takes place in many sectors—government, arts, education, civil society, and social entrepreneurship—a diverse medley that has contributed to my own transformative journey and developed my heightened sensitivity for context-based cultural and social dynamics.
Hello! I'm Kristina, and I had the privilege of growing up in a family environment that was incredibly loving, protective, and centered around children. However, this upbringing also exposed me to the complexities and fractures within society as I began to engage more independently in collectives, such as school, group hobbies, and neighborhood play areas. It became clear that I needed to learn how to navigate challenges while staying true to my authentic self. Moreover, I realized that my identity was far more intricate than I had remembered from childhood; it encompassed a blend of diverse cultural backgrounds and followed a non-linear development path.
Kristina Kuznetsova-Bogdanovits
Recognizing the multifaceted nature of our society motivated me to pursue a career as a researcher. I hold a doctoral degree in Arts Management from the University of the Arts Helsinki, Sibelius Academy, and my doctoral thesis delved into the roles of entrepreneurial mindset and education in the knowledge management processes of arts universities.
I hold a doctoral degree in Arts Management from the University of the Arts Helsinki, Sibelius Academy, and my doctoral thesis delved into the roles of entrepreneurial mindset and education in the knowledge management processes of arts universities. Over the past 15 years in academia, I've been deeply involved in various aspects of content and structural management within arts higher education, university organization, and communities of practice. Additionally, I've actively contributed as an author, writer, and manager to numerous international R&D projects funded by the European Union, with a commitment to continuing this work in the future.
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Recently, I made a transition into the private sector as an entrepreneur and began collaborating with other organizations and clients from this sector. This shift has exposed me to new challenges and has led to a change in perspective, moving from a focus on higher education involvement to applying research to real-world work environments. In my role at Transforming Collective, I aspire to work closely with diverse communities and organizations, aiding them in overcoming challenges and growing, while also seeking personal growth through new and unexpected experiences.
