Research Discipline/Bio
Doctoral researcher at Teachers College, Columbia University, and founder of the Message Design Institute, Tamsen Webster investigates how leaders and changemakers accelerate understanding and adoption of new ideas—especially when those ideas challenge the status quo. Her research centers on structured reasoning models, like her Rationale Map, and their role in enabling perspective transformation through clear, credible strategic communication. With 25+ years designing persuasive frameworks for museums, nonprofits, Harvard Medical School, corporations (Verizon, Klaviyo, State Street’s Center for Applied Research), and startups through Elemental Impact, Tamsen also serves as a professional advisor at MIT’s Martin Trust Center and a mentor at Harvard Innovation Labs. A Thinkers50 Radar honoree (2022) and author of Find Your Red Thread (2021) and Say What They Can’t Unhear (2024), she works at the intersection of theory and practice to help sensegivers lead meaningful change.
Educational Background
Doctor of Education, Adult Learning and Leadership, Teachers College (in progress)
Master of Business Administration, Organizational Behavior and Managerial Communications, Southern Methodist University, 1997
Master of Arts Administration, Crisis Communications and Visual Arts, Southern Methodist University, 1997
Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, Marketing and Market Research focus, Boston University, 1995
Bachelor of Arts, American Studies, Boston University, 1995
Honors/Awards
Thinkers50 Radar, 2020
Publications/Exhibitions
Webster, T. S. (2024). Say what they can’t unhear: The 9 principles of lasting change. Page Two.
Webster, T. S. (2021). Find Your Red Thread: Make Your Big Ideas Irresistible (First). Page Two.
Last Updated: Jun 2, 2025