Tonianne DeMaria

Author | Exec. Coach | Partner Modus Cooperandi | Co-founder Modus Institute & KaizenCamp | Faculty LEI | Founding Member Obeya

Tonianne DeMaria: Humanizing Work Through Systems Thinking

Tonianne DeMaria redefines how we work, guiding individuals and organizations toward systems that prioritize people over processes. As partner and principal consultant at Modus Cooperandi and co-author of the award-winning book Personal Kanban: Mapping Work | Navigating Life, Tonianne dedicates her career to helping people not just accomplish tasks but focus on doing the right things that create meaningful outcomes. Her work underscores that productivity should be measured by the value it creates, not just by metrics or numbers.

Tonianne’s journey began as a historian, where she honed her systems-thinking skills by analyzing complex narratives and uncovering the structural frameworks that drive them. These skills have become the foundation of her diverse career, where she bridges the gap between performance and purpose. Combining insights from behavioural economics, neuroscience, and Lean methodologies, Tonianne advocates for human-centred work environments. Her mission is to foster spaces where work is not only efficient but where people feel valued and engaged.

Through her research and consulting, Tonianne has helped teams across the globe realize that true success goes beyond efficiency—it’s about cultivating trust, clarity, and a sense of purpose within organizations. Her influence is far-reaching, with initiatives such as co-founding Kaizen Camp, a continuous improvement un-conference, and Modus Institute, an educational platform designed for modern knowledge workers. Both initiatives equip professionals with the tools they need to thrive in today’s fast-paced professional landscape.

In 2024, Tonianne became a founding member of the Obeya World Consortium, further establishing her leadership in visual management and collaborative problem-solving on an international level. Her contributions have touched countless professionals, encouraging them to visualize their workloads and make their goals explicit, fostering real progress and empowerment.

For Wisepreneurs—professional women over 60 embracing solopreneurship—Tonianne’s insights are particularly valuable. Her systems-thinking approach offers adaptable strategies to help these solopreneurs create work environments that are not only efficient but also empowering, ensuring sustained success in a dynamic professional landscape.

Tonianne DeMaria doesn’t just teach how to work—she teaches how to make work matter.