News

Mastering Collaboration: Training for Transformative Coalitions

I am teaming up with Ann Webb Price of Community Evaluation Solutions to present two no-slides and lecture, experiential workshops. The first, Building Effective Coalitions focuses on how to develop a coalition and set a foundation that will ensure success. The second, Coalition Action Planning and Evaluation, will help coalition members to plan effective strategies and evaluate their efforts.

Guidebook to Community Consulting: A Collaborative approach

Ann Webb Price of Community Evaluation Solutions and I teamed up to write this book. It is based on our years of experience and extensive education and additional training we have both undertaken throughout our careers.

Spring 2022 - Published Book Chapter

Along with my colleagues, Dr. Kyrah K. Brown, Justin M. Henry, MPH, Claudy Jean Pierre, BSPH, Tamaya Bailey, MSW, and Jerrise Smith I published a book chapter, Lessons from Conducting an Equity-Focused, Participatory Needs Assessment. This chapter is one of several really great chapters in the open access book, Case Studies in Community Psychology: A Global Lens that was co-edited by Dr. Geraldine Palmer, Todd Rogers, MA, Judah Viola, PhD, and Maronica Engel. You can check it out here: Lessons from Conducting an Equity-Focused, Participatory Needs Assessment – Case Studies in Community Psychology Practice: A Global Lens (rebus.community)

Events

2026 Events

This year is already shaping up to be busy with work and events. I continue to work with the National Council on Aging, Healthy Start Tyler, First 5 San Mateo, the National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity Education Foundation, and with 2GEMS Consulting. I am also continuing work on a book for coalitions with Ann Price, and actively participating in my local Baha'i community activities such as Meaningful Conversations.

February 2026 - A New Publication! We just received word that an article written by M. Pia Chaparro and co-authored by Sandy Perkins, Ann Webb Price, me, and Karen Probert - "Children's Healthy Weight State Capacity Building Program: Incorporating Nutrition into States' Maternal and Child Health Programming" was published in the Maternal and Child Health Journal.

2025 Events

December 2025 - Announcement of Changes at SWA

Beginning in 2026 I have decided to begin working less and repurposing my time for travel and community volunteer activities. I will continue to work with my current projects until the contracts run out. As for new projects, I will only take on selected work that will not overtax my part-time capacity. I'm especially interested in short-term projects that focus on coalition development, training, building capacity for evaluation, and strategic planning. I will not be taking on any more long-term, large evaluation projects. I'm happy to assume small roles on larger projects, depending on the tasks and topics.

September 2025 -HRSA Healthy Start Grantee Meeting

I traveled to Washington DC to attend this meeting with the Tyler Healthy Start program staff.

August 2025 -Texas Evaluation Network

I attended the TEN Board Meeting in Galveston, TX and somehow walked away as Treasurer.

June 2025 - Harmony Community Development Corporation

I experienced the joy of capacity building by presenting, Empowering to Evaluate: Theory of Change and Logic Models with Alliance for Greater Works.

May 2025 - National Council on Aging

I presented a workshop, Laying the Foundation: Starting and Strengthening Falls Prevention Coalitions in Washington DC.

April 2025 - Center for Culturally Responsive Evaluation and Assessment

I presented a workshop, Collaboration Bootcamp! Developing The Qualities Needed for Social Transformation with Geri Peak from Two Gems Consulting Services in Chicago, Illinois.

March 2025 - Texas Evaluation Network

Ann Price and I co-presented a workshop, Let's Reflect On Our Practice: Moving Forward Together for this virtual conference.

January 2025 - BCFS Health and Human Services

I am excited to begin work to provide evaluation support for the Healthy Start Tyler Program.

2024 Events

November 2024 - The American Evaluation Association

This year I once again collaborated with Ann Price to present a workshop titled Engaging with Community Members for Equitable Evaluation: A Hands-On, How-To Workshop. And, I collaborated with Dr. Geri Lynn Peak to facilitate a Birds of a Feather discussion titled Liberatory Spiritual Guidance for Social Transformation: How Our Ethics Guide Our Evaluation Efforts.

October 2024 - The National Council on Aging

I am excited to work with Tom Wolff to provide consultation and support to NCOA for their Falls Prevention Coalitons project.

October 2024 - Two Gems Consulting and the YWCA Greenwich

I am honored to collaborate with Dr. Geri Peak and Lisa Robinson from Two Gems Consulting to work to create a Theory of Action for the YWCA in Greenwich, CT.

August 2024 - Association for Baha'i Studies

Geri Peak, Emily Chou and I presented "Discourse in Action - The First Fruits of the Wilmette Institute Social Transformation Certificate" in Atlanta, GA.

April 2024 - Presentation at the Texas Evaluation Network (TEN) Virtual Institute

I conducted a workshop for TEN on Evaluating Community Coalitions and Collaboratives: A Participative Approach.

February 2024 - Michigan State University

I had the honor to present a session on Evaluating Coalitions and Collaboratives to students studying evaluation at Michigan State University.

February 2024 - First 5 San Mateo County

The contract is finalized and I will be working with First 5 San Mateo County to evaluate the Trauma and Resiliency Systems Initiative.

January 2024 - My Certificate Arrived! It's Official.

I completed three courses toward a graduate certificate in Social Transformation through the Wilmette Institute. In January I was awarded my official certificate.