I have two related passions. The first is the analysis of complex programs and policy issues and the writing of studies, reports and evaluations that integrate and makes sense of disparate information Since I began my consulting career I have written over 35 policy studies, evaluation and feasibility studies dealing with subjects that range from the future of voluntarism in America, to US foundation interest in global environmental issues to the emergence of civil society in post-communist Central Europe.

My second passion is working with the leaders of organizations to solve problems and make their enterprise more effective. I am good at budgeting, planning, marketing, fund raising and board development. I am particularly good at looking at organizational structures to help maximize positive incentives. But I am best at thinking strategically about choices that need to be made and in working with CEOs and senior managers to make those difficult decisions.

I began my consulting practice 25 years ago doing studies, evaluations and organizational assessments. I was frequently hired by the US Agency for International Development to evaluate a program that they had funded or an organization that they supported. In addition, I conducted some of the early studies on the management needs of international voluntary organizations and on the challenges faced by the newly emerging non-governmental sectors overseas.

While I still do evaluations and write policy papers, my work in recent years has shifted to direct interaction with executives and staff on issues of leadership and organizational change. For example, two years ago I worked with a Ukrainian group that had been fully funded by foreign donors to become independent and financially self-supporting. We put together a plan, established a new governance system, redesigned the program, secured funding, hired staff and went through a very successful leadership transition. Last year I worked with a very large program in Erbil, Iraq to help them establish priorities, secure funding and revamp their organizational structure to be able to respond to the difficult and uncertain conditions that prevail in that war-torn country. This year, an evaluation of a civil society program in Iraq evolved into an analysis of a dysfunctional structure and breakdown in communications and a work plan to get the program back on track. At the moment, I am doing a feasibility study for a small New England College to determine whether they should launch a tutorial-based MA program in environmental studies.

I have been immensely lucky in having a 40-year career that has allowed me to work in and observe the functioning of hundreds of leaders and organizations both in the United States and overseas. I have conducted dozens of evaluations, institutional assessments, and organizational restructurings and have facilitated numerous strategic planning efforts. In working with non-profits I believe I can bring a perspective that balances between a social purpose imperative and solid business realism and in working with commercial groups I believe I can bring a perspective that balances profit and principle.

A great deal of my work in the area of leadership and organizational change has derived from my extensive involvement on the boards of commercial and non-profit groups. For example, I served for 16 years on the Board of Development Alternatives where I chaired the Compensation Committee for what is now a $500 million consulting firm. Other valuable board trustee work has included the Vermont Arts Council, the Vermont Natural Resources Council, the Folger Library, Green Mountain College and the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy.

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