50+                                  5k+                                     3k+

Fortune 500 Companies                                      Concepts created and tested                                 Clients inspired to innovate!

Elton Hassall

  • NowVation Facilitator in Chief
  • Founded NowVation in 2009
  • Has trained more than 3,000 people to unlock their creativity and potential for innovation
  • Known for his high-energy facilitation style 
  • Studied Marketing and Philosophy at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota
  • Obtained certifications from the Creative Problem Solving Institute for facilitating and the RIVA Institute for moderating
  • Elite-level triathlete
  • Has traveled to more than 50 countries
  • Grew up in South Africa
  • Lives with his family in Brooklyn

 

Michelle Johnston

  • NowVation Facilitator
  • More than 25 years of innovation/facilitation experience
  • Known for her optimistic facilitation style
  • Expert facilitator, concept writer and focus group moderator
  • Studied English and Psychology at Cornell University
  • Obtained certifications from the Creative Problem Solving Institute for facilitating and the RIVA Institute for moderating
  • Is a self-confessed Disney-phile
  • Lives in Orlando with her three teenage children

 

Russ Schoen

  • NowVation Facilitator
  • More than 20 years of inspiring creativity and innovation
  • Known for his humor-infused approach to facilitation
  • Adjunct Professor at Buffalo State International Center for Studies in Creativity
  • Studied Psychology at Emory College and graduate level Creativity, Innovation and Change Leadership at Buffalo State University
  • Aikido practitioner!
  • Lives in Chicago

 

David Labno

  • NowVation Facilitator
  • More than 20 years of ideation and facilitation experience with roots in CPG
  • Known for his psychometric approach to facilitation
  • Studied at the University of St. Thomas and graduate level Creativity, Innovation and Change Leadership at Buffalo State University
  • Father of four!
  • Lives in Minneapolis

 

Leila Gheit

  • NowVation Idea Capturer
  • Has captured and polished thousands upon thousands of brilliant ideas during her more than 10 years of experience
  • Studied English at the College of William & Mary and graduate level International Affairs at the New School
  • Classically trained pianist since age 4
  • Lives in New Jersey 

 

Mike Werner

  • NowVation Visual Ideator and Concept Illustrator
  • More than 25 years of illustration and art direction experience
  • Known for illustrating concepts in real time during ideation sessions, watch the markers fly!
  • Studied at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Northwestern University
  • Lives in Milwaukee 

 

Graham Burns

  • NowVation Media Creator
  • Over 10 years experience in video and photography production
  • Studied Film and digital media at University of Colorado, Boulder
  • Co-created the food/lifestyle blog The Brothers Buoy
  • Food obsessed
  • Lives in Brooklyn