Partners, Projects and Testimonials
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CONFLICT RESOLUTION & EVALUATION SPECIALIST (Remote)
Support the Office of Global Diversity and Inclusion to assess the context and needs to determine the feasibility of piloting an Alternative Resolution & Restorative Justice process in Fall, 2022. Design and conduct interviews with leadership, administration, and union representatives; Engage qualitative data analysis; Create a report with recommendations to be used in strategic planning and decision making with the President's and Provost Office. |
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PROGRAM INSTRUCTOR & COORDINATOR (Remote)
Design and instruct a professional development certificate course in Non-Profit Program Evaluation attended by national and international evaluation professionals, with The Nonprofit Institute. Adapt curriculum to prioritize an equity and social inclusion lens throughout the project design to explore power dynamics, effective community engagement, as well as data collection, analysis and reporting. |
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CONFLICT RESOLUTION FACILITATOR (Remote)
Work with executive leadership and staff to create a more effective and efficient team environment, resolve conflict, reestablish trust and group safety related to and aligned with diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Engage Human-Centered Design & Evaluation alongside a participatory, trauma-informed process to facilitate dialogue sessions including training and capacity building. |
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PROJECT CO-LEAD & EVALUATION SPECIALIST
(Remote, US-Nationwide) Evaluation design, advising and program management support for an external review of an applied climate impact research program at x8 University-based National Climate Adaptation Science Centers with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and Department of Interior (DOI); Select and onboard external review team members, facilitate site-visit discussion groups, and write reports. |
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EQUITY EVALUATION CONSULTANT (Remote - Portland, Oregon)
Support World Oregon's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Program Evaluation process to ensure that DEI is accurately reflected in technical documents including program strategy and logic models; operationalized into action; and that data are communicated with community, leadership and staff, and board members accordingly. Design and facilitate a Focus Group for Staff regarding their DEI Professional Development Experience to facilitate learning and adaptation for the team. |
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COMMUNICATIONS & CONFLICT RESOLUTION ADVISOR (Oakland, California)
Provide communications and conflict resolution coaching and training aiming to build staff capacity and develop skills in communication, facilitation, and conflict transformation both internally and when providing technical support for clients regarding their strategy, design, implementation, and program evaluation needs. I so deeply appreciated working with Michelle. She is personable, empathetic, flexible, and funny! Working with her helped me to think more expansively, to handle difficult situations with empathy, and to lean into my skills and talents. After working with her, I am more grounded in my strengths and able to navigate through professional challenges with integrity. If you are lucky enough to have a chance to work with her, take it! - Hannah Pickar |
Previous Projects
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SENIOR EVALUATION CONSULTANT (Remote - Jordan)
Designed a stakeholder network analysis and surveyed 100+ participants in English & Arabic (in partnership with in-country staff) to determine the multi-directional connections making up a network of institutes in the MENA region; Produced a stakeholder network analysis with data visualizations to support institutional, fiscal and programmatic decision making. Learn more about the project and 3 principles for an evidence-informed learning agenda in this IREX brief. |
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MEDIATION ADVISOR (Remote - Portland, Oregon)
Connected with Executive Leadership to advise on developing a trauma-informed Workplace Mediation program; Support tools included needs and context analysis, identifying challenges and opportunities, and proposing tools and approaches to integrate based on business and client needs. Contributed additional content via this blog post interview. |
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COMMUNICATIONS, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT and CONFLICT RESOLUTION FACILITATOR (Portland, Oregon)
In these remote training sessions, we workshopped the basics of decolonizing mental health and wellness to apply self- and community-care practice to increase resilience as an act of resistance and change! "Michelle's session at the OMA 2020 conference gave everyone a chance to reflect on our own self care practices, while at the same time providing resources for how to care for ourselves while honoring our diverse communities." - OMA Conference Associates "Michelle was a compassionate and competent facilitator. She framed a safe space for communication, and encouraged participation and resource sharing among many in the group who had never met before. By the end of the session, participants were making plans to connect afterwards and continue to build relationships. Additionally, she understands the financial challenges of nonprofits and was able to work with us on a package that fit our needs. She is a valuable part of any team-building effort, and we whole-heartedly recommend her services." - Historic Parkrose Staff Read more about this work and access free resources HERE. |
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ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST
(Remote - Portland, Oregon) Provided organizational development support for the rapidly growing and successful nonprofit, Brown Hope, aiming to make justice a lived experience for Black, Brown, and Indigenous people. Through a design process and conversations with CEO, cameron whitten, staff surveys and one-on-one staff interviews - we created an Employee Onboarding Manual and a Staff Reporting Template responsive and relevant to staff needs. The process supported Brown Hope to streamline essential internal processes and policies, build team communication and cohesion, and embed accountability throughout the organization. "Michelle is a strategic thinker who worked diligently to help Brown Hope deliver and inclusive engagement process for meaningful organizational impact." - cameron whitten, CEO & Founder |
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PROGRAM EVALUATOR (Portland, Oregon) Designed and engaged a review of The Center for Women's Leadership to inform future re-design, structural changes, and fundraising approaches integrating racial equity. |
Photographer: photosbyKim
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RACIAL EQUITY ADVISOR (Portland, Oregon)
Provided technical advising, consensus building techniques, and applied, participatory research methodologies to inform approach, strategy and design to create the Culture Change Roadmap - in proud partnership with Empress Rules, Inner Work, Outer Play, and Lara Media Services. Facilitated a virtual Self-Care and Resiliency Workshop related to working from home during COVID pandemic. "Michelle is strong at consolidating ideas and translating them into actionable and strategic racial equity goals. As a partner in the Culture Change Roadmap development, she engaged with businesses, identified key themes, and documented scalable interventions that can be shared with businesses engaging in racial equity work." - Andrea Gall, Program Manager at Prosper Portland |
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RACIAL EQUITY ADVISOR (Portland, Oregon)
Provided technical advising and support to inform executive decision making to create strategic plans and action for multiple collaborators including Board of Directors and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Group. |
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PEACEBUILDING CONTRIBUTOR (Remote) Engaged in a virtual, weeklong event in partnership with peace-building organizations to engage in a collaborative community conversation on Racial Justice and Building Peace in the United States. Shared lived experiences and professional stories to contribute and critically reflect. |
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PEACEBUILDING ADVISOR & RESEARCH ASSISTANT (Bogotá, Colombia)
Designed Security Sector and Resiliency training for 25+ staff members and leadership to advance the mission resulting in increased trust and performance based on improved communication, collaboration and teamwork; Engaged a real-time monitoring methodology to assess 68% implementation of the 2016 Colombian Peace Accord as the technical assistance component to the monitoring and verification mechanism, CISIVI. "Michelle worked with the Kroc Institute in Colombia for 3 months, monitoring the implementation of the Colombian Peace Agreement. She also supported the team with professionalism and relate-ability in designing and developing our strategic development plans. Michelle's support was integral in navigating the complexities of a team that has grown exponentially in a short amount of time." - Borja Paladini Adell, Kroc Institute Barometer Project Director, Colombia |
MONITORING, EVALUATION & LEARNING ADVISOR - Private Client (Australia)
Led Theory of Change and organizational development workshop for international climate justice and commerce program, using data to improve, iterate and adapt the program strategic plan and vision for a consortium of government, university, and international NGO partners.
"We needed a facilitator who wouldn’t over-facilitate. Michelle simultaneously held space and allowed for processing then gently brought us back on track when needed." - Participant
Led Theory of Change and organizational development workshop for international climate justice and commerce program, using data to improve, iterate and adapt the program strategic plan and vision for a consortium of government, university, and international NGO partners.
"We needed a facilitator who wouldn’t over-facilitate. Michelle simultaneously held space and allowed for processing then gently brought us back on track when needed." - Participant
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DIALOGUE FACILITATOR & PEACEBUILDING ADVISOR (Australia)
Designed and implemented reconciliation program with ex-FARC combatants and Colombian nationals focused on peacebuilding, sport and business; Wrote and edited media communications, procured implementation funds. |
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HEALTH EQUITY ADVISOR (Australia)
Provided medical anthropology based, culturally-specific recommendations for a professional development training using the Traffic Lights curriculum. |
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GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE PREVENTION TRAINER (Portland, Oregon)
Designed and facilitated trauma- and gender-informed communications training for 20+ staff and executive leadership to clarify goals, increase mindfulness to reduce burnout, and integrate participatory processes into strategic planning and evaluation for domestic violence prevention programs. "Michelle helped staff identify personal passions that they can bring to our work. The activities were fun, engaging, and inspiring. She was well prepared and clearly passionate about her work - I would highly recommend her." - Cassie, Bradley Angle staff |
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GENDER-BASED CONFLICT RESOLUTION ADVISOR (Portland, Oregon)
Provided technical support and facilitation for LGBTQ/gender-informed conflict resolution workshop for internal staff and program partners, resulting in facilitated dialogue to align values, mission and vision into a strategic plan. "Michelle struck an ideal balance between assertion and reception, making sure everyone was heard and engaged, and facilitating a consistently relevant conversation with a meaningful arc that gave us our own take aways, based on our own feelings and needs." - Andrew Shaw- Kitch, Bikes for Humanity PDX |
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LEADERSHIP TRAINER (Portland, Oregon)
Designed and facilitated a cross-cultural leadership and communication training session for 25+ international educators. "Michelle does a wonderful job creating a space, asking the questions, and providing prompts to let the creative juices flow. and then connecting the dots aligning passion with purpose." - Drew Edwards, Executive Director " Michelle creates an environment that we don't often get to inhabit, one with possibility that before had felt like the beaten-path, although not an open path. Putting movement and love into her work, I couldn't honestly think of anyone who wouldn't benefit." - Ethan Knight, Executive Director, American Gap Association |
