We live in a beautifully complex and interconnected world. And yet, so many of the ways we make sense of that world try to disconnect and make linear our lives and work. At CJ Collaborations I help you lean into that complexity, harnessing it with grace and strategy instead of fighting it. Coaching and consultation services are built on radical curiosity about you and your world – including family, community, organization, or network – and interdisciplinary models, tools, and research that help you thrive.In a coaching engagement, you take the lead in your journey. The role of the coach is to ask questions and notice things like patterns or body language that elicit insights and connections. The process is present and future-facing. Because each client is in the lead, the details will shift depending on an individual’s goals and needs. What holds constant is that each session starts by identifying what the client wants to achieve by the end of our time together and questions will guide our journey from there.In a consultation engagement, you drive your own journey, and the consultant brings a point of view, expertise, and recommendations. This process may include looking into the past to understand what came before so the client can decide what to keep, give up, and add based on the foundation of the past and the possibilities of the future.

Oversee strategy and operations (includes: business development, communications, events, human resources, and fiscal) for unit supporting transformative change in higher education systems across the US in close partnership with JFF’s central teams

Oversaw program, partnership, and external affairs teamsWorked with founder, president, board, and staff to establish vision and goals by leading iterative design process to establish, undertake, and evolve approaches to international and domestic challengesCo-led, with president and founder, major reorganizations, both building and dismantling structures and teamsTook on trouble-shooting assignments to assess, redirect, and hand off

Authored and submitted over 300 proposals for funding to public and private sector institutions including federal agencies to generate nearly $1,000,000 annually. Proposal budgets ranged from $1,000 - $500,000.Led annual advocacy efforts including writing testimony, designing advocacy packages, and leading meetings with state and federal government representatives. Efforts secured over $1,000,000 in funding for the Museum from the State of Maryland and City of Baltimore.Principal member of strategic planning work group; collected, analyzed, and presented data regarding community and Museum trends to guide strategic planning process.Authored aspects of strategic plan relating to mission, vision, core organizational values, and organizational background. Co-authored action plans with department leaders and board committees.

Co-founded the Factory for Community Action Turda, a community-based, independent project that provides an outlet for active participation in the arts for youth in economically disadvantaged areas. Developed a 4-month plan for the development of a board of advisors for the Potaissa Foundation and mentored staff, volunteers, and project participants in project management skills such as setting goals, objectives, and tasks as well as creating strategic plans.Co-facilitated an internal review process and developed a two-year program plan for local civil society development in Turda for the Ratiu Center for Democracy.Co-director of Operations for TurdaFest 2005 (the inaugural year for a three-day agriculture festival drawing over 10,000 people)Co-designed and managed a two-day workshop on "Environmental Education for Sustainability" administered to 8 Peace Corps Volunteers and 14 Romanians.Developed and led training programs for Peace Corps Volunteers (group size ranging from 8 to 75) and Romanian adults and youth (group size ranging from 15 to 30). Topics included fundraising, EU Accession, Community Entry and Appreciative Inquiry, and Project Design and Management.