Recent Client List
Laguna Foundation
My work with the Laguna Foundation highlights the benefits of a long-term relationship with consultant. Over the past four years I have helped design and facilitate the public input process for their Laguna Management Plan, provided the growing staff with coaching and work process improvement consulting, facilitated a board strategic planning process, and helped design a professional conference. With this level of involvement, I am able to offer quick assistance that is based on a long relationship and an understanding of the issues faced by the organization.
Hospice of Petaluma/Memorial Hospice
Facilitating board retreats is one of my specialties. In this engagement I worked with the program director and her advisory board to design a six-hour experience that would build relationships and identify key issues for future work. I used one of my favorite large group dialogue methods, World Café to create intimate conversations within a larger group.
Business Alliance for Local Living Economies
BALLE focuses on strengthening local businesses and local economies as an alternative to big box economic development and globalization. I was contracted to facilitate a two-day board retreat at a critical moment of the organization’s history—the departure of a very-effective executive director. Using a variety of processes, the retreat resulted in a major restructuring of the board and clarity on future direction.
Leadership Institute for Ecology & the Economy
Strategic planning and strategic dialogues are critical for the continued health and growth of all organizations. In this project I worked with the Executive Director and Board Chair of The Leadership Institute for Ecology and the Economy leadership training program to develop and facilitate an effective one day strategic thinking retreat. Using a mix of large and small group activities and lively pacing, the group accomplished its goal of establishing programatic priorities for the coming year.
Santa Rosa Family Practice Residency Consortium
Multistakeholder collaborations take many forms. In this project I worked with two hospitals, a health clinic, county government, and local physicians to facilitate the formation of consortium that would keep an important physician training program operating. The key to this project was creating a sound and effective structure for complex dialogues. This project was managed through the HR Matrix, on organization I often partner with.
Simons & Woodard
I worked with the senior management of this property development and management firm to resolve internal transition issues. The engagement included extensive personal coaching of the participants as well as joint diagnosis and problem solving. This engagement was managed by The Results Group an organization development and public policy firm I often partner with.
Slow Food International
I was pleased to be a member of the small facilitation team that supported the 2006 Terra Madre conference in Turin, Italy. My work was to facilitate cross-cultural dialogue on creating a sustainable international food system.
California Department of Pesticide Regulation
Multi-stakeholder collaboration is the primary focus of my facilitation practice. In this project I worked with stakeholders from across California to help develop recommendations to the Department of Pesticide Regulation for implementing environmental justice into their operations.
Ag Innovations Network
In July, 2006, I became the executive director of Ag Innovations Network, a non-profit organization offering facilitation and organization development in the agricultural sector. I had worked for over 5 years as a contractor to the agency. As the leader of this organization I am focused on building the Ag Futures Alliances movement that bring together farmers, ranchers, environmental leaders and community members to create local support for sustainable agriculture.
California Society of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
For the past two years I have supported the California Society of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology physician educational organization—with strategic planning facilitation and facilitation of town hall meetings at their annual conference. This engagement highlights the positive momemtum that is possible from even brief contacts.
Medtronic
Medtronic is a global leader in medical technology. My work with their Vascular Division has included providing corporate training in facilitation/training skills and supporting an on-going culture change effort.
Atascadero Green Valley Watershed Council
I have a particular interest in building the capacity of community and citizen organizations. In this project I facilitated the first Board retreat of a citizen’s group dedicated to the needs of the Atascadero Green Valley Watershed. This project highlighted the value of planning time, the face-to-face meeting with the Board Chair prior to the meeting allowed us to create a rich and realistic agenda for the meeting.
The Hochman Group
The Hochman Group is one of the most respected organization change and human resources consultancies in Sonoma County. Through The Hochman Group I have worked with clients in both the wine industry and health care providing both facilitation and organization change consulting.
Slow Food USA
As the US branch of the international Slow Food movement, the staff of Slow Food USA have a particularly challenging task in linking their efforts to global goals and strategies of their parent organization. I was asked to help the staff step through a strategic planning effort to better align their efforts. Outcome: a clear set of priorities that helped the group better allocate their time and resources.
Community Child Care Council of Sonoma County
The largest child care resource and referral agency in Sonoma County, CA needed skilled facilitation for their spring board retreat. I worked with the Executive Director and Board President to develop an agenda that met their needs. Using a variety of facilitation techniques, I helped the group work through a full agenda and leave feeling their time had been well spent.
Sonoma State University
The Sonoma State University School of Science and Technology needed to develop a strategic plan to align its future plans with those of the University as a whole. Working as part of a team led by Saul Eisen I helped facilitate this three month process and in particular introduced dialogue skills to the group. Outcome: a plan embraced by the entire school.
California Vegetable Specialties
The largest grower of endive in the United States was experiencing tension between its marketing and production departments. I worked with the management team to identify the issues and create action plans to address them. The result, higher productivity and more job satisfaction.