In a time when it often feels like we’re more divided than ever, Rita Marie Johnson, Founder and CEO of Rasur Foundation International (RFI), has made it her mission to bring people together. She does this, not through grand speeches or sweeping policies, but by teaching a straightforward practice that turns confusion into clarity and conflict into connection. Her life’s work, The Connection Practice, developed through her leadership at RFI, combines empathy and insight, giving people the skill to navigate challenges with confidence.
Rita Marie didn’t become an expert in emotional intelligence overnight; it took years of studying how we interact, communicate, and connect on a deeper level. Now, as an award-winning educator and innovator, she is changing how individuals and organizations meet conflict, build resilience, and create stronger, healthier relationships.
The Birth of the Connection Practice
The Connection Practice is more than a method—it’s an innovative approach that has helped people around the world turn their struggles into intelligent action. It draws on Rita Marie’s studies in nonviolent communication and heart-brain coherence, which led to her synergistic blend of empathy and insight. When these two attributes come together, they open doors to better connection, creativity, and conflict resolution.
Rita Marie created this wellness practice during her time in Costa Rica. With the backing of Nobel Peace Prize laureate, President Oscar Arias, and health advocate, Deepak Chopra, she introduced the Connection Practice in Costa Rican schools. This didn’t just help kids get along together; a supportive space emerged where students could truly thrive. They became more self-aware, were empowered to resolve their own issues, and performed better on academic tests. Teachers benefited as well and enthusiastically integrated the Connection Practice in their classrooms.
In 2005, Rita Marie’s work received widespread recognition when she won the Ashoka Changemakers Innovation Award, chosen from 79 projects across 32 countries. This award highlighted her contribution to fostering a more compassionate and ethical society and marked the beginning of the Connection Practice’s global reach.
Global Impact: Expanding the Connection Practice
What began in Costa Rica has now reached over 100,000 people in 19 countries. Rita Marie taught the Connection Practice course for credit at the United Nations University for Peace, a graduate school for international leaders. She has certified more than 250 Connection Practice Coaches and Trainers, including therapists, wellness practitioners, and educators at Stanford, Harvard, and Minerva universities. This global growth has brought the Practice into schools, businesses, and community organizations, where it transforms turmoil into fruitful outcomes.
In the business world, the Connection Practice has real, measurable benefits— generating trust and improving team dynamics and effectiveness. Google’s Project Aristotle reported that psychological safety, where people feel safe to take risks and be themselves, is key to high-performing teams. The Connection Practice establishes that kind of emotional safety, which leads to higher employee retention and greater productivity.
A Turning Point in South Korea
One of the standout successes of the Connection Practice took place in South Korea. In 2022, Dr. Christina Choi, an emotional well-being expert and co-founder of the HD Institute of Resilience and Positivity, reached out to Rita Marie. South Korea was facing a sharp rise in emotional distress, worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, and Dr. Choi needed an effective way to help her country cope.
Rita Marie traveled to South Korea to share the Connection Practice. She delivered a keynote address to an audience of 300 and led a hands-on workshop for 74 participants. But this wasn’t a one-time event. Dr. Choi was certified as a Connection Practice Trainer. She brought 14 colleagues to Costa Rica in 2023 for training. Then when Rita Marie returned to South Korea in 2024, the momentum expanded exponentially.
The results in South Korea have been impressive. Surveys from participants indicated there were major improvements in empathy, creative problem-solving, conflict resolution, and overall well-being. Dr. Choi’s efforts to spread the Practice have positively impacted thousands of parents, therapists, educators, and businesspeople, reducing emotional distress in meaningful ways.
Empowering Women and Leaders
Rita Marie’s focus includes leadership. As a strong advocate for women’s empowerment, she spoke at the Women’s Leadership Summit at Stanford and is an instructor in the Women in Leadership Certificate Program at the University of California, Santa Barbara. She guides women leaders to embody connection, which brings out the best in those they serve. Her message is essential in today’s fast-paced and frequently disconnected world.
Recognition and Innovation
Rita Marie’s contributions to wellness have earned her international recognition. She received the Walden Award for Wisdom, an honor she shared with Oprah Winfrey, for her role in changing lives and making our planet a better place to live. Her book, Completely Connected: Uniting Our Empathy and Insight for Extraordinary Results, won a national Nautilus Award in the Psychology category of Better Books for a Better World. The book reveals the Connection Practice as “the profound made practical;” an actionable guide in any situation.
Rita Marie has also embraced technology to make the Connection Practice more efficient. She launched a Connection Practice app that helps users track their progress. Then her team developed Connection Practice Boards, available in both tactile and digital formats with different versions for adults and preliterate children. These tools make it simple and easy for people of all ages to learn the Connection Practice. This technological advancement ensures that the Practice can reach anyone, anywhere, in any language—making this wellness skill accessible to millions of people worldwide.
Building a Legacy of Connection
Rita Marie’s life exemplifies the power of emotional intelligence, connection, and service to others. From her groundbreaking work in Costa Rican schools to her influence in the corporate world, she has shown that empathy and insight are keys to solving pressing personal and professional challenges.
Her work has transformed countless lives. As the Connection Practice continues to expand, Rita Marie’s legacy will endure as a beacon of human possibility and progress. She’s not just teaching people how to connect with others—she’s teaching them how to connect with themselves, creating a ripple effect that will shape the world for generations to come.
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