This client wanted a very interactive 3-day workshop to help them create a research plan for an emerging field. Our design enabled over 100 scientists, policy makers, industry leaders, and legislators to have thoughtful conversations in between sets of scientific presentations.  The client was delighted with the high level of  engagement and quality networking that occurred.  

A group of 40 internal medicine physicians wanted an "away day" to help them relax, recharge and learn a new skill. During the day, they got to know each other as people and they reflected on their priorities. Afterwards, the doctors reported that they gained a deeper appreciation for their colleagues and their struggles and for being a more supportive team.

A Minnesota watershed district formed a Citizen Action Committee (CAC) to provide citizen input to its board decisions. Over seven meetings in 2020, the CAC members got to know one another, to understand their shared tasks and to provide input in the watershed district's Ten Year Plan. 

During a one-day national workshop on managing highly pathogenic waste (e.g., Ebola), nearly 100 very diverse stakeholders met to learn the latest science and to share their perspectives and concerns. The stakeholders included local, state and federal agencies, educational institutions, legislators, environmental regulators, waste vendors, the military, faith-based organizations and the general public. We helped the entire group to reach general agreement on what ought to be done to prepare for the next major infectious disease outbreak. Read the final report. 

In 2019, regulators from several states met for two days to discuss challenging issues related to infectious waste treatment. During both small group and large group discussions, participants successfully assessed the status (past, present, future), summarized the technologies and challenges of treating infectious waste in the US, and scoped out a plan for moving forward. 

In a one-day workshop, we introduced employees of a healthcare provider to integral facilitation. The group applied it to their daily work and practiced skills together. Topics included: 1) identifying and overcoming fears about facilitation, 2) staying  present and aware as a facilitator, 3) collaborating more effectively, 4) fostering safety and respect in groups, 5) minimizing disruptive behaviors in meetings, and 6) diagnosing meeting challenges. 

In the first session of a two-part webinar, members of a professional association directly experienced our 12 tips for making meetings more engaging, and they generated ideas of their own.  A week later, they came up with solutions to specific challenges they have in meetings.  

Trina Walker (TLW Strategy) and I teamed up initiatlly to help this coordinating group clarify the structure of the board and its committees. As the project proceded, it became clear that board needed time out to look at things that are contentious, such as including undergraduate medical education (UME) in the scope of its work.

The board chair recently shared that the board is now thoughtfully expanding its scope by including UME. She said, "You both did it in a way that was not threatening or condescending. You gave people room to speak. You took us where we were and went at our speed."

The board of an urban lake's friends group updated its mission and vision and sponsored a public visioning process for the future of the lake and surrounding land. The City received the community's recommendations in May 2022, and has since implemented many of them, including road striping for pedestrian and bike safety, natural plantings, walking trails, a canoe launch and a new playground.  

The ALS Association, RestUP and Bickford Collaboration presented four interactive online workshops about how ALS caregivers could get just a little more rest.  Pre- and post-event surveys revealed that the caregivers appreciated learning about different types of rest, talking with other caregivers and choosing personal stategies for getting more rest. 

Wisconsin Pharmaceutical Waste Working Group's purpose was to reduce the impact of pharmaceutical waste on Wisconsin’s environment and communities. During my seven year tenure as co-chair, this diverse group successfully supported the collection of household pharmaceutical waste, educated the public and influenced public policies regarding the management of unused pharmaceuticals from homes and businesses. Despite not having any authority or budget, the group made progress by empowering each person to do what they could.

In collaboration with a private hospital, we helped lead a two-day training for Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) staff regarding hazardous waste inspections in healthcare facilities. On Day 1, hospital staff showed DNR how their departments created and managed wastes. On Day 2, DNR staff did a mock inspection of the hospital. All participants gathered later to discuss what they learned and how they might work more collaboratively in the future.