Miriam is the founder of Open Circle Foundation, a nonprofit devoted to restoring belonging, purpose, and healing at a time when many people feel disconnected from themselves, each other, and the natural world.
With more than thirty years in transformational education, working with groups ranging from global CEOs to prisons, military units, schools, and community organizations, she has witnessed a universal truth: when people are given space to be seen, heard, and held in their shared humanity, something powerful awakens.
Through nature-based rites of passage, mentorship, and community-building experiences, Miriam’s work helps young adults, frontline professionals, and individuals across divides remember who they are, reconnect with the earth, and rediscover the wisdom and strength that live within and between us.
Reweaving Belonging: The Heart Behind Open Circle Foundation
What inspired you to start your business, and how has that inspiration evolved?
Miriam: Over the last thirty years of my career I have worked in transformational education with leaders, teams, communities. I have had the privilege off a broad diversity of audiences from Global CEOS to people working in the factory, from prisons to schools to military to top level government. What I have learnt through that is that the ability for humans to work together wisely and for our common good is a human experience. Our humanity and our relationship and dependance on the natural world is common across religions, cultures, political beliefs, gender and generations. My inspiration comes from having experienced people in com[plexity, conflict and divide find and bond once again across these divides. My inspiration comes from the miracles and magic that happens when we do connect in that way and once again recognize the gifts of each other and of the earth we are on. The evolution of my work has travelled and been in response to what is essentially at the core of us finding and sustaining meaning in our lives. Traveling through all the populations I have worked with I have found a wisdom in looking at ourselves through the lens of our ecosystem and reconnecting with the bigger story of our cycles. My current inspiration to focus on the non profit comes as a response to what I am experiencing in the world is a desperate need for the restoration of the skills and capacities this work brings. The ability to deeply listen and connect with people with a shared humanity and knowledge of our interdependence at the center. I have seen the power and self confidence in individuals and communities that has come through even when people are in the most desperate situations: the power of shifting identification from wounds and trauma to an identity that encompasses it but is not defined by it - the power of tribe - feeling the deep bonds of healthy community across divides and differences, the pwoer of being seen and your story being deeply listened to, the power of connection to nature which has this mysterious way of teaching us and showing us the way, the power to heal yourself through connection and listening and finally the power of service and belonging - experiencing who we are and our gifts have a unique place and unique service to offer the world.
What’s a recent win or moment you’re really proud of in your business journey?
Miriam: I am really proud of my summer in Alaska which took a lot of work and fundraising to happen. It involved two trips - one with a group of veterans, first responders and young adults and the other with a donor family. As a young women on the family trip said "This was life changing beyond my wildest dreams." and as one of the Veterans said at the end of the trip "You realize this work you are doing is saving lives."
What challenges have you overcome in business that has shaped who you are?
Miriam: I have overcome the challenge that there is a way. Starting the business right before Covid, I have again and again shaped this business through the obstacles and adaptation. It has made me again and again asked how the work I am doing can serve and made me pair down again and again to what is essential. It has meant O have had to gone through a process of letting go of what I thought success was and getting very clear on what was most important to me.
What’s your current focus in business and why?
Miriam: My current focus is a project called Wayfinders. It is seeding in five areas across the globe the experience of a rite of passage for young adults and older mentors who want to serve as guides. I am focused on this as I feel a strong need in young adults to find a way through the complexity of the world right now and a strong need for support for those who can and want to guide them and feel overwhelmed themselves by this change. Each of the initiatives will be hosted by an elder who is connected to the area it is on and I believe this is helpful for our elders in being acknowledged in their experience and being asked to share that experience with their community.
What do you want your business to be known for in the long run?
Miriam: For bringing hope and sustenance to our humanity and care of our earth in the places where it is most needed. For supporting us to find a way together into looking after each other and this earth for the generations that are coming.
“I have seen people in the most complex and divided situations find one another again when they are given space to be deeply heard.”
— Miriam Jones
What values guide the way you live and make decisions in this season of your life?
Miriam: Courage, Interdependence, Humility and Service. Courage is strength of heart - it takes courage to open up to others and the world and to move with that and change things in yourself. Interdependence is the knowledge that we all have a vital role to play and our ability to play that role depends on our ability to respect ourselves, others and our environment. Humility is when we step out of the center and discover we are part of something far greater than ourselves. Service means listening to how people rely on us, meeting those needs and continually learning form the experience.
What’s a life experience that shaped how you show up in the world today?
Miriam: My experience of being a single parent has shaped how I show up. It has continually humbled me and also taught me that there are no right answers. There are continually situations that do not have a perfect answer and at its essence I have had to show up and love myself and my children and continue to learn. In contrast to that working over the last four years with mostly men, often being the only women in groups of men hearing through from trauma they have experienced and created has taught me a lot about myself as a woman and also about wounds, trauma and victim cycles.
What do you most desire or need in this current season?
Miriam: To bring financial support to the work I do so that it can sustain and grow in its impact and bring its healing properties to people who most need it across the world
What hobbies, interests, or passions bring you joy outside of your business?
Miriam: Swimming, hiking, reading, dancing on my own to music and mostly watching my children grow in their lives.
When you’re moving through challenges or hardships, how do you take care of yourself?
Miriam: Exercise, sleep and stopping to connect with myself, those I trust and love and to the natural world. remembering the bigger picture and knowing that this too shall pass.
If you could go back and tell a past version of yourself one thing, what would it be?
Miriam: Stop and savor the moments of connection more, don't strive for fantasies and trust yourself - even though you may find yourself having a different perspective - it has value and you have nothing to prove.
Connect and Discover More
Miriam Jones | QwikResponse Restoration & Construction
If this work speaks to something in you, if you feel a pull toward deeper connection, community healing, or supporting the next generation, Miriam welcomes conversation and collaboration. Open Circle Foundation continues to grow through shared hands, shared stories, and shared commitment. Whether you are interested in the Wayfinders project, exploring partnership, or simply feel called to learn more, you are invited to reach out. Your presence and your gifts matter here.
