Tag Archives: community partnerships

Ellen Grondine

Ellen Grondine

Ellen Grondine is the Dean of Law, Education and Social Professions at Northern Essex Community College in Lawrence and Haverhill, Massachusetts.  She has also held administrative positions in the K-12 public education arena specifically related to curriculum and instruction and has extensive teaching experience in both early childhood and special education.

Ellen is an Appreciative Inquiry Facilitator, a Process Management Trainer and a member of the National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI) team of trainers.  Her expertise in strengths based team building, her understanding of tools for critical analysis, and her work in building effective inter-group coalitions have been instrumental in academic and strategic planning, divisional training and goal setting, and her community outreach efforts on behalf of the college.  She has facilitated collaborations among the college and veteran’s service agencies, community partnership councils and public school settings by providing workshops, program development and resources.  Her work within the K-12 setting also includes the design and implementation of Appreciative Inquiry teacher training as a means of strengthening parent-teacher relationships and facilitating communication among public school administration and community members.

Ellen earned a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Lesley University in Cambridge, and a Bachelor of Science from Wheelock College in Boston, Massachusetts.

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Specialties:

  • Academic Master Planning
  • Appreciative Inquiry
  • Community Building
  • Community Building & Community Partnerships
  • Continuous Process Improvement
  • Curriculum Development
  • Developing Enthusiasm in Teaching or Training
  • Process Improvement
  • Strategic Planning

Christopher Szecsey

Christopher Szecsey

Christopher Szecsey (pronounced “say-chay”) has over 38 years of worldwide experience across more than 48 countries in capacity-building of individuals, teams, community groups, organizations, & projects. For the past 15 years, he has worked as consultant, trainer, & facilitator with international nonprofits & local nonprofits (NGOs) as well as with government & multilateral agencies in the USA & around the world.

His international clients include: the Center for Disease Control in Ethiopia, Carter Center, World Wildlife Fund, American Red Cross, Save the Children, CARE, PACT, PATH, Family Health International, Pathfinder, Counterpart International, The Asia Foundation, FAO/UN, UNDP, & UNICEF as well as international consulting firms, foundations, & government agencies. Prior to consulting, he served nine years as a Country Representative/Field Office Director for Save the Children/US on three international assignments in Asia & the Pacific Islands; two years as a Project Director for UNDP in Nepal; & three years as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ecuador.

His USA clients, mostly in the Northern California, include: the Volunteer Center & its Nonprofit Resource Center, Community Action Partnerships, West County Community Services, Santa Rosa Symphony, Habitat for Humanity, RECOURSE, Restorative Resources, Sonoma County Repertory Theater, Next Generation, Lifeschool, Osmosis, Southwest Community Health Center, La Luz, foundations such as Levi Strauss & West County Healthcare, school districts, & local city & county government agencies.

Key areas of Christopher’s consulting experience include building the capacity of the nonprofit sector around the world including in the USA; providing technical assistance, training & facilitation in collaboration/partnerships; organizational assessment & development, leadership & team strengthening;  program assessment, design, planning, & management; & board & staff development as well as work with local government agencies.

Christopher has significant experience & skills in training & facilitation with boards, senior staff, & diverse stakeholder groups, using learner center participatory, interactive, & collaborative learning processes to ensure client & stakeholder involvement, engagement & ownership for positive change efforts.

He has served on the board of three nonprofits as well as the chair of one, and as a nonprofit executive director. He graduated from the University of the Pacific/Callison College, and successfully completed the Executive Certificate Program in Global Change & Social Innovation/Appreciative Inquiry, Global Excellence in Management (GEM) Initiative, Case Western Reserve University. His three languages are: English, Spanish, and Indonesian.

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Specialties:

  • Appreciative Inquiry
  • Board Training & Development
  • Community Development/ Mobilization & Community Partnerships
  • Consulting
  • Facilitating
  • Facilitator Training
  • High-Impact Strategic Planning
  • Leadership Training & Development
  • Management Training & Development
  • Organizational Assessment
  • Organizational Development
  • Participatory Learning
  • Participatory Management
  • Partnership Building & Strengthening
  • Program/Project Development & Management
  • Staff Training & Development
  • Team Building
  • Visioning & Futuring

Jim Pulliam

Contact Information:

Address:
5920 S. Rainbow Blvd, Ste 4,
Las Vegas, Nevada 89118

Email:
Jim@Fintelo.net

Phone:
Work: (702) 228-4699
Mobile: (760) 333-4993

Skype: jim_pulliam

Website(s):
Center for Appreciative Inquiry
Company of Experts, Inc.
Department Chair Institute

Working Portfolio:
Download Resume

Pulliam.2013

My “walk” is no different from others nor the opportunities or achievements any greater. Spending time in the financial markets, teaching from the primary grades to graduate school, serving as a founding College President, Vice President of the Company of Experts and CEO of a software Company are professional experiences. Volunteer organizations range from holding professional statewide office, foundation boards, regional economic development board and serving as an appointee of a Governor on a BRAC Commission.

What have I learned? I have learned that our similarities are greater than our differences. Differences of people can be measured in millimeters not miles. It all depends on ones perspective.

I have also learned that destiny is up to us. One once said, “ it isn’t a journey but a quest”. A journey happens, a quest is something we thirst for.

What have I observed? I have observed that those making the greatest contribution for others are living lives of significance not necessarily one for their personal success.

What do I believe? I believe it is up to you, and you and me.

  • Appreciative Inquiry Consulting & Training
  • Board Training & Retreats
  • Business Consulting
  • Coaching
  • Content Development
  • Large-Scale Summit Design
  • Leadership Development & Training
  • Organizational Development
  • Strategic Development
  • Succession Planning
  • Workshop Facilitation

Macon Miracle:

  • Creating the Macon Miracle (Part 1) – “Creating the Macon” – Bibb County School District, with the help of the Center for Appreciative Inquiry, conducted a Strategic Planning session using Appreciative Inquiry. With 4500 people in attendance, this is the largest Appreciative Inquiry (AI) Summit known to date. In this video, Dr. Romain Dallemand opens the session with a powerful speech.
  • Creating the Macon Miracle (Part 2) – Day 2 of the Macon Miracle, Dr. Romain Dallemand shares his gratitude and excitement about the possibilities & opportunities that emerged through the inquiries conducted on Day 1.

World Appreciative Inquiry Conference (WAIC) 2012:

  • Anne Gathumbi WAIC Interview – Anne Gathumbi is a program manager with OSIEA and the Open Society Law and Health Initiative. She is responsible for the organization’s work to promote legal initiatives to advance the human rights of East Africans living with and affected by HIV/AIDS
  • Kathy Becker WAIC Interview – President of the Company of Experts talks about her experiences with Appreciative Inquiry
  • Bibb County School District
  • Disability Rights Nebraska
  • State University of New York (SUNY)
“Just a note to say how much I appreciate what you’re doing in the world and to let you know that AI continues to inform many aspects of all that I do.
~ Susan Sanford, Certified AI Facilitator

Sue Tsuda

Sue Tsuda

Sue Tsuda has experience in the complementary arenas of local government and community colleges. Sue has served in staff positions in local government ranging from intern to city manager in Oregon and California. She also has served as an appointed and as an elected official including city council. Her experience in education includes coordinating programs in CalWORKs, Workforce Development, Student Support Services, career and transfer planning, providing instruction in student success, life skills, workplace skills, career planning, tutor training, history, and government. She also is a successful grant writer. Land use planning and economic development are particular areas of interest.

Ms. Tsuda has her Masters degree in Public Administration from California State University, Long Beach and a Bachelors degree in Political Science from California State University, Fullerton. She also has a certificate in Urban Planning from University of California Extension, at Irvine and post-graduate work toward another Masters Degree in Urban Planning at Cal-Poly, Pomona.

Sue came into local government as a volunteer with the League of Women Voters and later went to work in the field she loves. Her greatest compensation is the opportunity to help others help themselves. The day she was hired as the first Town Manager of Yucca Valley, CA, the town experienced a 7.6 earthquake. The silver lining was the law that allows a fast track to formation of a Redevelopment Agency that is useful as an economic development tool.

Ms. Tsuda’s career has provided broad experience in both local government and community college issues and opportunities.

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Specialties:

  • Adult Learning
  • Building Teams
  • Career Development
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Coalition Building
  • Community Building
  • Community Development and Community Partnership
  • Continuous Learning
  • Creativity and Innovation
  • Dealing with Difficult People
  • Economic Development
  • Enhancing Adult Motivation to Learn
  • Goal Setting and Time Management
  • Government relations/ lobbying
  • Job analysis and design
  • Mentoring
  • Reaching consensus
  • Service Learning
  • Spirit in the workplace
  • Teaching at-risk students
  • Training

Frank Gornick

Frank Gornick

Frank Gornick is chancellor of a community college district in California serving one of the poorest regions of the nation. Enrollment has increased three fold since 1994 while the total district revenues have been matched with an aggressive federal and state grant program. The district consists of two colleges, as well as centers throughout the 3,000 square mile service area.

In 2002, the district was recognized by the Met Life Foundation “For excellence in promoting education and economic advancement for underserved youth and adults.”

In 2004, the college district was awarded the prestigious California Community College Chancellor’s Diversity Award for Excellence for its work in promoting and hiring a diverse administrative staff.

Campus Compact recently featured this college in its spring publication: One with the Community: Indicators of Engagement at Minority-Serving Institutions.

Dr. Gornick has led an aggressive campaign for child care in his district with a goal of placing a college-operated child care facility in every community the district serves. The district’s intent is to address the whole family’s educational needs and promote access to education through the use of these centers.

He has fostered the aggressive use of technology by forging strategic partnerships with Cisco Systems, Pacific Bell, Federal agencies, local Workforce Investment Boards and others to deliver low cost solutions of access to technology. This effort has led to one of the most advanced on-line educational programs in the state–if not the nation. Retention rates exceed 75 percent. His staff has exploded the myth that poor citizens without access to computers will shun on-line educational opportunities.

His low-key yet high energy approach to leadership encourages people by example and with enthusiasm. He has transformed the college into a district that knows what it is doing and cares about the people it is enabling.

Dr. Gornick joined forces with community college presidents, AACC and business leaders to begin the discussion of the future of education in our country. Dr. Gornick wrote an article for the Community College Journal, December/January 2006 edition titled: A Call to Action: Reclaiming our Competitive Advantage. Dr. Gornick and the other leaders are beginning the dialogue on a national level this year.

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Specialties:

  • Academic Master Plannings
  • Accreditation and Program Assessment
  • Board Training and Development
  • Community Building
  • Community Development and Community Partnerships
  • Creating Learning Organizations
  • Developing Cultural Inclusion in Teaching or Training
  • Distance Education
  • E-Learning
  • Economic Development
  • Enrollment Management
  • Government Relations/ Lobbying
  • Innovation in the Workplace
  • Performance Management
  • Learning Centered Teaching and  Training Workshops
  • Management Consulting
  • On-line Education
  • Planned Change
  • Resource Development
  • Strategic Planning
  • Visioning and Futuring