The Body Calls: An Exploration of Embodied Activism and Its Relevance to the Field of Organizational Development ~ with Marissa Mosunich

The Body Calls: An Exploration of Embodied Activism and Its Relevance to the Field of Organizational Development 

Why this session matters:

In pursuit of organizational excellence, we often overlook one of the most powerful instruments of change: our body. Marissa Mosunich’s professional journey began in the structured world of manufacturing. When her health couldn’t keep up with the demands of work, she realized that the misalignment had just as much to do with her abilities as with the nature of the organizational systems in which she worked. As such, there was not just a need for personal change but organizational transformation as well - a notion that led her to the field of Organizational Development (OD).

In addition to pursuing a degree in OD, Marissa began weaving body awareness more intentionally into her professional path. She recognized that when she slowed down and truly listened to her body, she became more attuned to her own needs, inner messages, and insights, which made her a better employee and OD practitioner. This experience now deeply influences her belief that body awareness practices are essential for Organizational Development practitioners. She sees these practices as a key to promoting equity, connection, and organizational transformation that puts humans first.

What to expect in this session:

Through the process of listening to the body and examining how systems affect us on a personal level, we can be more effective agents for positive social and organizational change. Is it possible that body awareness is a critical and powerful tool for any worker, whether a consultant, leader, or employee?

In the session, we will:

• Discover the role body awareness can play in supporting instrumentality and organizational change for all workers.

• Explore the overlapping possibilities of body awareness, worker activism, and Organizational Development.

• Discuss practical applications and future directions for bringing these approaches into OD practice and beyond.

Session structure:

This interactive workshop will unfold in three parts:

1. A presentation that introduces foundational concepts of the term, “embodied activism” (as used by Rae Johnson, PhD, 2023). 

2. Breakout sessions for small-group discussion and reflection on body awareness, agency, and Organizational Development. 

3. A group discussion about key points, insights, and future possibilities in the field. 

Learning outcomes:

Participants will walk away able to:

• Recognize the role of body awareness practices in social and organizational change contexts.

• Discover how body awareness and worker instrumentality or agency can inform and inspire organizational shifts.

• Identify practical applications and directions for bringing embodied approaches into OD work.

About Your Facilitator:

Marissa Mosunich is a seasoned professional with experience in a variety of organizational settings. Through her company, Operate Well Consulting, Marissa helps teams bring clarity, flow, and alignment to their operations– people, process, and strategy. She brings a unique blend of systems thinking and human-centered organizational design, shaped by both real-world experience and academic training. She seeks to ignite change through her writing, community involvement, and organizational development practice.

Marissa lives on the Central Coast of California with her family. She loves people, music, poetry, and nature—and is always up for a good walk or deep conversation. She holds a master’s degree in Organizational Development and Leadership from Fielding Graduate University, a master’s degree in Industrial Engineering from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and a bachelor’s degree in Music and Mathematics from Northwestern University.

AGENDA:

5:45 - 6:00 pm Join Zoom Meeting

6:00- 7:30 pm Presentation

7:30-8:00 pm Discussion

Please be aware that our trainings could be recorded or photographed.