About

Hi, I’m Rita.

I’m the creator of Tumbleweed Workshops.
I am a certified trainer, facilitator, coach, and event host with a Master’s degree in Intercultural Communication and another one in Professional Translation. I was raised in the US but have spent the last 18 years living in countries across Europe and around the world. I am now based in Heidelberg, Germany.

Over the years, I have organized and facilitated high-impact events across sectors, industries, and topics, all around the world. For years, I have worked closely with academic and industry scientists as well as entrepreneurs, start-ups, non-profits, corporations and more, where I have developed a keen understanding of the challenges and opportunities that arise in dynamic and multicultural settings.

My workshops are designed for diverse, multicultural teams and have been based on many years working with people of different backgrounds, personality types, values, and communication styles. Although I do speak German and Spanish, my workshops take place in English.

My workshops, trainings, and coachings come in all formats – online, hybrid, and in-person, and I prioritize using tools and techniques that ensure all participants are included, not only the highest-ranking or most outspoken ones.

Mission

My mission is to connect different perspectives and create spaces and work environments / team dynamics that encourage inclusion, open-mindedness, curiosity, and innovation, which in turn improve communication, empathy, engagement, productivity, and retention.
I am passionate about topics such as gender equality, social justice, and diversity as a superpower.

Education & Qualifications

  • Certification, Intercultural Trainer (InterCultur), 2024 (Hamburg, Germany)
  • Certification, Facilitator (Facilitator School), 2023 (online)
  • Master of Arts: Intercultural Communication and European Studies, 2019 (Fulda, Germany)
  • 2x Erasmus+ scholarship recipient, 2019 & 2015 (Paris, France; Barcelona, Spain)
  • Master of Arts: Professional Translation, 2015 (Swansea, Wales)
  • Bachelor of Arts: Latin American Studies & Spanish, 2014 (OR, USA)
  • Study abroad year, 2012 (Cordoba, Argentina)

Memberships

  • Society for Intercultural Education, Training and Research (SIETAR) (2024)
  • Heidelberg International Professional Women’s Forum (HIP) (2024)
  • Trainer & Mentor, Facilitator School (2023 – present)

Full CV available upon request

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a workshop cost?

Since workshops are generally customized to suit the needs of the client, pricing ranges from 1,200 EUR to 2,500 EUR for a one day workshop (up to 8 training hours).

Pricing for a half day workshop (up to 4 training hours) ranges from 700 EUR to 1,800 EUR.

Included in this cost is the workshop design and preparation, coordination with organizers, onboarding of participants prior to the workshop, facilitation of the workshop itself, all necessary materials, as well as participation certificates.
Facilitator travel and accomodation (if needed) is not included.

Who are these workshops for?

Tumbleweed workshops are customized to suit the audience. Rita has facilitated workshops for universities (both students and faculty), research institutes, global companies, start ups, and more! Participants should have a working knowledge of English (but they do not need to be fluent).

How long is a workshop?

The length of a workshop mostly depends on two factors: how much time the participants are able to dedicate, and what the desired outcome is. Depending on the goal, a half-day workshop may be sufficient (ie in the case of many team building workshops). For a standard EDI or intercultural competence training, one to one and a half days is ideal (but this of course depends on the availability of the participants).

What do workshop participants need to know/bring?

Participants should be aware that the workshop will take place in English, and they should bring water and a pen/paper for notes. All other materials will be provided.

Participants should also know that they should be prepared for minimal connection to their phones/devices for the duration of the workshop. Of course pictures are allowed and encouraged in most cases, but for the learnings to really stick, it is best for everyone to be fully engaged.

Similarly, we ask that everyone attending is planning to stay for the course of the workshop, not arrive late or leave early. This is for the good of the group to minimize distractions.

How many people can participate in a workshop?

The ideal number of participants is 12-15, but up to 20 participants are allowed total.

Why “tumbleweed”?

I was raised in Tucson, Arizona, located in the Sonoran Desert, where tumbleweeds are a common sight. The metaphor resonates with me, as I have lived in almost a dozen cities across six different countries and three continents, gaining experiences and new perspectives as I rolled along.