Lynne Golodner

Hi there! I’m Lynne Golodner, mother of four, Waldorf school alumni parent, lover of the written word, and energetic entrepreneur who sees strategy and story as pieces of a puzzle that we can build together.

I keep a corduroy-covered journal from the 1980s behind my desk, reminding me why I do this work: because through word and story, I figure out what makes sense and what is meaningful. That’s what I do for my clients, too.

Whether it’s a Waldorf school seeking to increase enrollment, or a university aiming to stand out from the more than 3,000 higher education institutions in America, or an entrepreneur excited to hang a shingle and help people, I begin with the words, incorporate the “why,” and figure out what to do next to expand reach.

I’ve worked with a variety of organizations and people since I founded Your People in 2007, including my first niche of yoga-related businesses, then a spate of years focused on nonprofits, and now I aim to empower Waldorf schools with the tools they need to expand their enrollment, increase exposure of Waldorf education and philosophy, and generally make the world better through this unique and powerful mode of education.

I’ve spent more than 20 years as a self-employed entrepreneur and author, after 15 years as a nationally-celebrated journalist, living in New York, Washington, D.C., and Detroit. I have written about education, home, architecture, design and real estate, food, faith and family, and I’ve been fortunate to produce eight published books. I also speak widely on marketing, meaning and finding your voice, and I teach writing classes through University of Detroit Mercy and Writing Workshops Detroit/Dallas.

When I became a single mother of three young children in 2007 and the economy was in turmoil, I put my communication skills into a new role at Your People – offering marketing and public relations with a focus on purpose and story that revolutionizes how we build brand awareness and grow revenues. Since 2013, I have specialized in working with schools, universities and education-focused nonprofits.

Today, I am a 2020-21 member of the Forbes Agency Council and I’ve received awards for my innovative leadership in marketing and public relations. In 2019, I was recognized by MichBusiness as a Marketing & PR Prophet, and in 2018 Crain’s Detroit Business named me a Notable Woman in Marketing.

I also host the Make Meaning Podcast, which I launched in 2018 on my father’s 80th birthday. He was my first guest, too. Inspired by his lifelong leadership and our close relationship, I wanted to record his insights and stories and share them with others. My dad was an entrepreneur and my best advisor, and other guests have shared how they build meaningful lives and work driven by purpose.

A Fulbright Specialist from 2017-2020, I graduated from University of Michigan (BA, Communications/English) and Goddard College (MFA, Writing). In 2018, I completed the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Entrepreneurship Certification. The mother of four teenagers, I live with my husband and children in Huntington Woods, Michigan.

Other places you’ll find me: www.makemeaning.org, www.lynnegolodner.com

Contact Lynne

(248) 376-0406 | lynne@yourppl.com

Testimonials

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Vickie Thompson-Sandy, CEO, The Buckeye Ranch

“Lynne and I worked together for several years in Michigan. She brought that organization to a new level of recognition as an expert in their areas of focus. I would highly recommend working with Lynne and her team!”

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Lisa Diggs, Founder of the Buy Michigan Now campaign

“Lynne is that rare business professional who is as talented at what she does as she is conscientious about how she does it. She is a gifted writer, a creative thinker, and a caring individual. Lynne consistently uses her abilities to enhance the productivity and image of her clients, while also tending to the betterment of her community.”

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Ronald Jasgur, President at Woodward Asset Capital

“I’d almost prefer not to tell anyone about the extraordinary results we’ve had working with Lynne for fear that too many people might find out what we already know…she’s the best at what she does. If you have the opportunity to work with her, don’t waste a minute thinking twice.”

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Emily Barnes, Interim President, Cleary University

“Lynne is so amazing! She made my fire hydrant of a response sound like poetry. Lynne makes herself available early mornings, late nights, weekends, often without notice, to ensure we send the right message to those we serve. We cannot thank Lynne enough for her wisdom during this time of uncertainty.”