Scroll
For almost two decades I've been lucky enough to work alongside incredible leaders, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, educators, and system designers around the world - those imagining and stewarding more beautiful pathways forward.
Watching Ilana is watching a master artist at work - I have experienced flow in the most beautiful and amazing way, where I am completely me and completely connected.
Karen · Reos Partners, Cape Town
The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance. - Alan Watts
I've always been fascinated by what makes people come alive.
Born in England, growing up in South Africa, then working all over the world, I've had a deep longing for home most of my life. Not having a geographical identity meant that I have felt a strange freedom of belonging both everywhere and nowhere at the same time. Roots were not something that came naturally to me, wings were much easier.
I remember giving away chocolates when I was younger and getting a kind of high from seeing people light up. That feeling inspired my first project, Serotonin Productions - built entirely around the idea of raising people's spirits through comedy, satire, music and events.
At that time, I learnt about near-death experiences where people would often come back and wake up to who they really were and what they really wanted to do. Young me wanted to know how we could get to that place (without the NDE). That question took me on a wild adventure.
I ended up working around the world for the next 18+ years, creating and guiding over a thousand experiences across Europe, China, India, South Africa and America - inspired by the question of what lights us up and finding ways to make visible the deeper connection that lives within and between us. This was the closest thing to real magic I had ever experienced.
Then at some point, with all wings and no roots, I burnt out (a couple of times). This turned out to be an invitation for a much deeper journey inwards. And so a new chapter started - a long and profound journey back home to myself. I had to explore much further inward than I had outward, and it felt both far more treacherous and beautiful than I could have imagined.
Based on the simple idea of letting what lights us up light the way, I began creating again, listening to life itself as the guide.
Now I get to work as a companion and guide for stewards of our time - to deepen and expand internally, so as to explore and navigate externally. Whether through hosting, coaching, guiding or consulting - all of my work involves playing together in and with the living field.
i carry your heart with me (i carry it in my heart) - ee cummings
My work continues to evolve and surprise me, taking on new and unexpected forms.
What it's looked like more recently is hosting global summits that bring people together from across sectors and systems, creating living labs, consulting with stewarding organisations, guiding experiential journeys for those guiding others, and 1-1 coaching for those in entrepreneurial leadership roles.
Hosting & Guiding
Hosting summits, retreats, gatherings, labs and learning journeys with the Living Fields approach, across sectors, cultures and contexts.
Keynotes, Living Sessions
Experiential talks on aliveness in our life, our work and our world - for events and gatherings.
Consulting & Design
Designing living experiences, gatherings and projects with stewarding organisations.
Mentoring & Coaching
1-1 work with leaders, stewards, philanthropists and facilitators.
"I am bedazzled by her approach. She is able to engage with all of us, reaching into the depth of our core."
Khanita · TSiBA University, Cape Town
Along with 1-1 leadership coaching and regenerative consulting, my work has taken many forms - programmes, summits, events, gatherings, retreats, experiments, projects, experiences, designing, interviewing, writing. I've been following a creative impulse for over 20 years.
Below are some examples. It doesn't reflect the courses I've been lucky enough to attend, the work that couldn't get completed, the personal heartbreaks, the once-offs, the burn-outs, the global shifts, the moves, the losses, the lessons - but it is a start, which seems quite fitting.
A few glimpses from gatherings, projects and stages across 20 countries.
Before you tell your life what you intend to do with it,
listen for what your life intends to do with you. - Parker Palmer
Ilana's expertise is so deep that it appears effortless, magical. She can bring a group of people together, strangers, colleagues, competitors, and through her facilitation they will leave having connected at a deep human level.
Pip · Climate Leader, NZ
I have met no-one since who can as effectively unlock the potential within a group of people. Her mix of deep intuition and experience mixed with her boundless creativity and energy create the perfect conditions for transformational experiences. Ilana is quite simply the best facilitator I have ever worked with.
Adam · Dark Matter Labs & Co-founder Power of Youth, Scotland
Ilana is a masterful facilitator, trainer and speaker. I have never seen anything quite like it. Her ability to hold space, go deep, challenge and also be playful changed my life 360 degrees. Hands down my favourite, most powerful, most life-changing course I have done.
Katie · Facilitator and Coach, Spain
Ilana Wetzler is unique in the field of leadership development. Her playful manner and shy smile belie her ability to captivate her audience completely, creating a space where trust is absolute and strong and rewarding bonds are forged.
Evelyn · CEO ScotEdge, Scotland
She's the person with the biggest influence on my life until now, my biggest inspiration without any doubt.
Ana Patricia · Portugal
Ilana has a very rare ability to bring people together in a way that they open up and share the most important and honest parts of themselves. The Ilana effect continues to ripple round the world.
Neil · CEO Umega Lettings, Scotland
Over the past two decades I have been a part of countless groups and facilitators. It is difficult to overstate how special Ilana is. She is the best facilitator I have ever experienced.
Sid · Generation Pledge
Watching Ilana was watching a master artist at work. I have experienced flow in the most beautiful and amazing way, where I am completely me and completely connected.
Karen · Reos Partners, Cape Town
It has impacted every aspect of my life, personally and professionally. The most amazing facilitator I have ever come across. Best of the best! I was in awe, mind-blowing stuff. A rare gem. A gift from God.
Michael · Developmental Practitioner, South Africa
I am bedazzled by her approach. She is able to engage with all of us, reaching into the depth of our core.
Khanita · TSiBA University, Cape Town
Ilana is a magician. You know when you witness something absolutely amazing that nobody else sees, like a unicorn? Well, that's how I feel the world is going to feel after my experience.
Isabel · IkamvaYouth, South Africa
The way Ilana facilitated these 2.5 days has been absolutely fascinating and incredibly inspiring. It's a true gift to bring 20 persons from completely different backgrounds together and create a connection that I don't think many of us have experienced in so short a time.
American Express Emerging Innovators · Berlin
Incredible. The best facilitator I've witnessed. She was exceptional in leading our group and in creating space for deeply personal introductions.
Summit Junto Member · US
It is only with the absence of Ilana that you realise the impact of her presence. Just as a professional musician makes their instrument look so easy, so it is that you only realise how difficult it is when you try it for yourself.
Alex · Co-founder Power of Youth, Scotland
My favourite facilitator in the whole world.
Mark · Impact Investor, Austin
This experience changed the way I think about myself and the world around me for the better. The impact is, excuse the cliché, life-changing.
Andrew · Entrepreneur, South Africa
It has reconfirmed and strengthened my belief in humanity. I feel more like a human being now than I did before, and more connected to the world, to myself and mankind as a collective.
Christopher · Serial Entrepreneur, San Francisco
Magically facilitated. An amazing job facilitating the toughest group of people you can potentially get together.
Tim · Serial Entrepreneur, The Netherlands
Stop everything. Place both hands over your heart. Say "I am here in this body. I am home." Repeat. - Sarah Blondin
Remembering who and what we already are.
I work 1-1 with leaders, stewards, philanthropists and facilitators.
