About Jordi Comas
I work for positive social change and sustainability, using skills as a researcher, communicator, and organizer.
View my current resume below or as a pdf.
Education
Ph.D. Management, IESE/Universidad de Navarra, Barcelona, Spain: 2008
Specialization in social network analysis, organization theory, learning and innovation
M.A. Sociology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA: 1999
Specialization in statistics, education, and organizations
B.A. Carleton College, Northfield, MN: 1994
Sociology/Anthropology major with a focus on environmental justice and ethnography
Employment in Higher Education
Lecturer, Bucknell University: 2016-2017
Created new team-taught IP courses: “Network the Humanities” and “Food Problems”
Assistant Professor, School of Management, Bucknell University: 2008-2015
Created courses in Social Networks, Social Networks and Sustainability, Organizational Change, Globalization, and Social Movements.
Taught courses in Stakeholder Management, Business and Society, and Organization Theory.
Advised 11 independent studies and honors theses.
Visiting Assistant Professor, Management Department, Bucknell University: 2003-2008
Acting Director, Writing Center, Moravian College: 2001-2002
Employment in Non-Profit Sector
Researcher, Service Learning Working Group: 2003-2004
Developed multi-institutional research group working under Dr. Dan Butin.
Development Consultant, Campus Theatre, LTD.: 2002-2003
Organized development, marketing, and planning for start-up 501(c)3 historic movie theater.
Educational Consultant, Thomas Jefferson Center for Educational Design: 1998-1999
Conducted qualitative and quantitative study of local school reforms.
Director, Lehigh Valley Summerbridge, Bethlehem, PA: 1994-1997
Chief Officer of non-profit educational organization serving 80 at-risk middle school students.
Recruited and trained summer faculties; managed board and fund-raising; led growth and innovation in program.
Leadership
Founder, The Hub for Progress. Union County, PA. 2017-
A multi-county, multi-organizational network dedicated to helping grassroots political groups become a more effective movement. Involves volunteer recruitment, technology usage, coalition-building, voter outreach, and strategic communications.
“Citizen Award” received from Keystone Research Center, September 2017
Co-Founder, Active Community Training, Union County, PA, 2017-
Delivers training to activists and changemakers in management, advocacy, and technology.
Founder, All are Welcome in Lewisburg Coalition, 2018-
A coalition to steer a nondiscrimination ordinance through the local borough council.
Board Member, Pennsylvania Together, 2018-
The umbrella organization for various grassroots political groups across the commonwealth
Stakeholder (board), Trailblazers PAC, 2019-
A PAC focusing on local elections through supporting and mentoring candidates committed to anti-corruption and “Front Porch” political engagement.
Board Member, Equality PA, 2018-
The commonwealth’s leading organization advancing equality and opportunity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Pennsylvanians.
Petitioner, LOWV v Commonwealth Pennsylvania, 2017-18
One of 18 petitioners in landmark gerrymander case.
Advocated for overcoming gerrymandering in traditional and social media, as well as in presentations.
Board Member, Lewisburg Neighborhoods Corporation, 2018-
LNC works to improve neighborhoods and their physical and social infrastructure.
Communication and Content Creation
Producer and Co-host, BarnstormingPA (www.barnstormingpa.org): 2017-
Created the podcast and website covering local and regional politics and activism as well as producing citizen journalism.
More than 40 episodes created with hundreds of listeners per week.
Created Pennsylvania Podcast League to promote and support other regional podcasts including Lightning Bug.
Communications Director, Dr. Jenn Rager-Kay for PA-85, PA. 2018
Wrote speeches and other communications for PA House candidate.
Oversaw development of linked communications and electoral strategy.
Scholarship Highlights
Selected Publications
Comas, J. “Organizations in the Wild: Organizational Theory for Community Associations.” Chapter in Handbook of Community Associations. Palgrave. 2018.
Comas, J., Shrivastava, P. & Martin E.C. “Terrorism as Organization, Network and Social Movement” Journal of Management Inquiry. (January 2015).
Comas, J. “Juggling Exploratory and Exploitative Learning with Dynamic Networks in the Early Days of Small Companies” Technology, Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Competitive Strategy: Vol. 14. Edited by Stettner, U. Aharonson, B & Amburgey, T. London: Emerald Books 2014.
Comas, J, Hiller, T. & Miller, J. “The Evolution of a Community of Practice: Stakeholders and Service in Management 101” Service-Learning in Higher Education. Edited by Dan Butin. New York: Palgrave Press, 2005.
Selected Presentations
Comas, J. “Networking for Good: Nascent Social Entrepreneurs and Their Personal Networks.” Poster for Sunbelt Conference, Anaheim, CA. April 2016. Winner, Best Poster Presentation.
Comas, J. “The Spread of Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Higher Education.” Presentation for AshokaU Exchange Conference. New Orleans, LA. February 21, 2016.C
Comas, J., Green, B. & and Milofsky, C. “A Theoretical and Methodological Blueprint for Studying Community Social Capital as the Intersection of Personal and Organizational networks” European Social Networks Conference (EUSN) Barcelona, Spain, July 2-4, 2014.