“Having IZI as our convening model of choice has led to the deepest, most meaningful community engagement process imaginable. When we first started working with Marnita’s Table, we had no idea how important this model would become in helping us reframe and focus our strategies and goals for the Catalyst Initiative. EVERY convening is outstanding, well planned, exceeds our goals and expectations, and reinforces the importance of using authentic engagement practices like IZI. For the Catalyst Initiative, working with Marnita’s Table has been a crucial component of the success of our three years of building integrative health and healing in community. I highly recommend this model.”

Suzanne Koepplinger, Director, Catalyst Initiative of George Family Foundation

“In less than seven weeks Marnita and her team were able to pull together seven amazing community feasts and Implicit Bias/MicroAggression trainings all around the state in communities where they had never been. Through the feasts and trainings, we were able to engage more than 900 community members and workforce development professionals allowing us to build relationships and hear voices not traditionally heard.”

Karen Francois, Assistant Commissioner, Economic Equity and Opportunity, MN DEED

“It often pushed us out of our comfort zone, participating in the Intentional Social Interaction (IZI) events has energized our staff and provided a model to connect with people across cultures in a deeper way that will allow for enhancing relationships and providing the best health care possible… The IZI model works!”

Dan Swenson, Administrator, CentraCare Health – Long Prairie

“The results are in. Intentional Social Action has exceeded goals whenever and wherever the touch points upon which it is built are deployed. Marnita’s Table is a truly innovative, cost-effective social profit business model. Marnita is a unique and visionary leader whom I’ve supported as a donor and a mentor for the past eight years.”

Hubert Joly, CEO, Best Buy

“Marnita’s Table brings the talent and expertise to introduce and incorporate cross-cultural methods and understanding to systems design and the workplace. Every foundation and business knows the explosion in future products and their work will have to command a multicultural, blended audience. Marnita’s Table has the knowledge, skills and successes to help guide those processes and maximize the potential of your work.”

Jo-Anne Stately, Director of Impact Strategy & Economic Vitality, Minneapolis Foundation

“You made it sound as though IZI could cure cancer. And then you did it. In three hours. Austin, MN will never be the same. We have a new normal.”

Laura Helle, Director, Vision2020

“I do an IZI in my home every single month and have for years. It’s changed the way we relate in our rapidly diversifying community. I never miss an opportunity to attend an IZI.”

Dave Kleis, Mayor, St. Cloud, MN

“Marnita’s Table has an amazing ability to create a setting where people are welcome, inspired, challenged, and have fun (all in one evening). We think the IZI model is fantastic – a civic inspiration for us at the Citizens League. The Table is helping us expand our networks – particularly in communities of color – and is moving the Citizens League toward a board, staff and membership that reflects the diversity of Minnesota. Best of all, it’s become a natural extension of our work, instead of a burdensome add-on. For example: we recently went through an interview process for summer interns, and ended up hiring a law student from the Dakota Nation we first connected with through an IZI.”

Sean Kershaw, Executive Director, Citizens League