Let’s shift ideas into action…
Develop skills…
Engaging Beyond Words: using visuals for understanding & learning
Contact us for 2024 dates
Design your own
What clients are saying…
Co-strategist, Evaluator and Researcher
Michelle has worked with me as a co-strategist, evaluator and researcher on several major projects with international agencies, including an evaluation of a major rural development network (IFAD), a capacity needs assessment for network growth (IFRTD), research into local level knowledge sharing (UNDP) and developing guidelines for Knowledge Partnerships with ADB.
Michelle brings a diverse range of skills and expertise to the field of knowledge management, networks and partnerships, including the ability to work with rural stakeholders, across cultures and languages; and is superb at effective workshop design and delivery to get to desired outcomes efficiently. She is able to research and synthesize large amounts of information into organized documents for decision makers, quickly and reliably. She is straightforward, transparent and accountable in the provision of her consulting services, a quick study in grasping the needs of the client and able to deliver a quality product on time.
Heather Creech
Former Director of Global Connectivity, International Institute for Sustainable Development
Graphic Facilitation
I wanted to send a quick thank you for hosting such a wonderful workshop. I had a fabulous time and learned a lot, even though I already took the workshop 4 years ago I was thrilled to have the opportunity to take again. The content is rich, the hands on application powerful, the people genuine and the instructors first class. Being immersed in this creative process for two whole days is an amazing experience, I would recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about graphic facilitation and how it can help positively transform group process.
Fern Sabo
Community Engagement Consultant
Careful Preparation
The graphic facilitation workshop that Michelle and Nancy provided for Alberta Agriculture staff in fall 2011 was fantastic! They began by setting the stage through careful preparation with the intention of the participants knowing it would be a safe place to learn, stretch their abilities and try new things. And it worked. Participants found the workshop to be energizing, fun, and interesting, but most of all useful. Everyone walked away with ways they planned to incorporate the concepts into their daily work to better engage co-workers, partners and clients. From using it in everything from agendas, minutes, flipcharts and handouts; to ice breakers, meetings, and team building; to note-taking, brainstorming and other planning processes; the graphic facilitation techniques are here to stay. A huge thank you to Michelle and Nancy for lighting the fire!
Sharon Stollery
Ag Industry Extension Branch, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development
Relevant to most areas of life
I found Michelle’s graphic facilitation workshop not only applicable to my work (which I initially wondered about), but also relevant to most other areas of life. As a research manager, I’ve been less confident working with my right brain despite knowing how helpful those right-brained tools can be for public engagement. Michelle provided me with strategies, templates, and a graphic toolbox to assist in conveying sometimes complex research foci to broader audiences. I quite highly recommend this workshop to anyone organizing team meetings, engaging with the public, participating in education activities, or even helping your children with their homework. I’ll be taking it again when offered!.
Morgan Sternberg
Research Scientist, Morrow Bioscience Ltd, workshop participant 2019
Outstanding Job
Michelle took on the task of facilitating our first ever online national, multi-stakeholder annual meeting on northern transportation adaptation, which was usually an in-person event.
Michelle ensured she understood our needs. She was flexible about our evolving agenda and developed creative ways of keeping everyone engaged over three+ days of meetings. With participants from six provinces and three territories, there were plenty of opportunities for technological and other glitches, but she and her team were well prepared and had contingencies in place, which meant that 30 presentations and breakout sessions went smoothly (and kept to time!) The positive feedback from participants reinforced that Michelle did an outstanding job.
Thanks again for making our meeting such a success!
Maxine Bilodeau
Transport Canada
Passion and Enthusiasm
Michelle worked with the District of Elkford through the Columbia Basin Trust on a Climate Change adaptation Project. Michelle was completely committed to the project, and ensured it was on time and produced the intended results. Michelle brings passion and enthusiasm to work. It was a pleasure to work with Michelle.
Corien Speaker
Former Chief Administrative Officer, District of Elkford
Learning along the way…
Reflective practice is a part of our DNA.