Today we’d like to introduce you to Sharon Felzer
Hi Sharon, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Several years ago, I began thinking that the need for civilized discourse seemed profoundly critical in our country. I felt that ideas, words, information, and knowledge were all productive and effective ways to inspire conversation that is meaningful, substantive, and can help bring people together.
While cultural celebrations and events happen annually in the Teton valley and specifically Jackson, Wyoming, the missing piece was an all day event that celebrated and brought together writers and readers, and celebrated and deepens the intersection of these two audiences.
With this inspiration I launched the Jackson Hole Book Festival: Conversation for the Community with Event partner Kathleen Brown of Jackson, WY. The Jackson Hole Community has always embraced and celebrated ideas, civilized discourse, learning, and conversation, as witnessed in the high level of attendance at/interest in lectures, conferences, workshops, debates, readings, and panel discussions, the three independent bookstores and the vibrant public library. The Book Festival was intended to reinforce these institutions and create a new one for the Valley and beyond.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My then Book Festival Partner Kathleen Brown and I immersed ourselves in this effort starting in August, 2023 for the first ever Festival in October, 2024. We did not expect it to turn into a full time job for both of us (granted a beloved mission)! Together we were a ‘well oiled’ machine in that we both brought specific skills and qualities and expertise to the adventure. While I would not use the word struggle, I’d use the word overwhelming in terms of the details, logistics, required tasks, starting everything from scratch, to name a few. In the end though, the inaugural Festival literally went off without a bump. Authors arrived. Attendees came. Money was raised. Grants were written. The venue couldn’t have been more perfectly situated. Books were sold. And the surveys suggested a very high level of satisfaction with the day!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
While the Jackson Hole Book Festival is a deep labor of love, I also started a consulting firm in 2022 – SF Insights + Strategy – after a long career in international development at the World Bank Group. My areas of expertise include public opinion research, communications and engagement, and strategic facilitation.
In the global development and multi-lateral arena, I am proud, and well known and recognized for expertise in using data and insights to facilitate creative thinking and action related to communications, messaging, strategy, team-building, decision-making, organization problem-solving, and creative ideation.
I love to work with a range of public and private sector clients, helping them solve problems related to strategy, engagement, change, and communication.
I am comfortable and deeply energized working in multi-cultural, innovative environments in Washington and across the globe with trust, independence, and objectivity. From Kabul to Beijing, Kathmandu to Riyadh, Manila to Paris, Sharon is at her most creative, when working in dozens of countries to help solve challenges and create more synergy and opportunity for all.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
The world of Book Festivals is growing across the nation – a sign that we still like face to face, human engagement. The response to the 2024 Festival suggested that readers like to talk about ideas, think hard, have their brains and hearts inspired and challenged. This can’t happen online or with AI. The opportunity to grow this Festival in Jackson is limitless as long as we bring fair, open, independent, and objective art/knowledge/words to our community and beyond
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jacksonholebookfestival.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacksonholebookfestival/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Jackson-Hole-Book-Festival-61557064581462/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-felzer-27133b1a7/
