Lead the Change You Want to See
Reducing Generational & Cultural Differences for an Executive Team
Challenge- A team of Boomer and GenX leaders felt ill-prepared to meet with a C-suite entourage of new partners from Japan.
Solution- We saw a classic individualist (USA) versus collectivist (Asian) approach to business, hierarchy, respect, and sharing power, and designed a 1/2 day executive retreat to coordinate the team's efforts. It included: an overview of Eastern versus Western cultures and values, a strength inventory, and a facilitated discussion to map the team's transferable intercultural skills, roles, and responsibilities. Result- The client immediately asked us to repeat the training for more staff. See client testimonial below. |
Community Engagement to Improve Public Safety for American Muslim Families
Challenge- American Muslims were afraid to travel to a Seattle Family Center for WIC (food assistance) benefits after the events of 9/11.
Solution- We facilitated meetings with community leaders to learn about their needs. The first request: "Teach us to swim, our children are drowning". (Several youth deaths had occurred near public parks). Result- The women also worried about depression from increased isolation and sought safe, fun ways to socialize. They formed Sister's Group, which launched Sister's Swim. This program (still in operation) brought families back for services, was expanded to include all women, and created new partnerships. It's been replicated in other cities. See PRESS it attracted from the Mayor, Seattle Times and NPR Radio. |
Culturally Inclusive Re-branding to Improve Personal Safety
Challenge- The owner of a USA-based personal safety/situational awareness firm wanted content that would attracting more global customers and corporate clients.
Solution- Our communication plan included adding culturally diverse photos to engage multicultural and LGBTQ markets, switching to a more robust graphic design platform, creating interactive exercises for live presentations and webinars, and copy writing/editing. Result- The client received a contract to train 500,000 Grub Hub drivers and more corporate work has followed since implementing the culturally inclusive messaging we recommended. |
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Lee's consulting was fundamental to our success in interfacing with new Japanese colleagues- and we'd done business there before! She gave us a foundation that's been strategically and financially critical for our company.
Tammy Mullarky | COO, Tekmira Pharmaceuticals
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Lee's facilitation work with the Muslim Sisters group was invaluable–once again. This was so much more than meets the eye. She helped us establish new strategic partners, which will expand our funding base and visibility.
Ann Fuller | Program Director, North Seattle Family Center
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Lee's facilitation work with the Muslim Sisters group was invaluable–once again. This was so much more than meets the eye. She helped us establish new strategic partners, which will expand our funding base and visibility.
Beth Warford | CEO, Pretty Loaded
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Training Pros to Write Ethically and Accurately About Equity
Challenge- The NW philanthropic community is raising the bar on DEI outcomes. Puget Sound Grant Writers Association/PSGA, wanted to help members meet this expectation.
Solution- In 2018, we designed and co-presented a training with Chanya Allen, entitled: “Writing About Equity with Confidence & Credibility”, to explore DEI ethics and best-practices. Lee also facilitated a panel discussion with racially diverse funding officers. Result- 90% of PSGA respondents at this claimed that we provided "information/skills to help them at work". We presented similar trainings at the Nonprofit Leadership Conference for Coastal & SW WA conferences in 2019 and 2023. |
Creating a Kid-Friendly Process for Psychological Testing
Challenge- A psychologist noticed that some parents and children were nervous when they arrived to get tested for admission to private schools. She thought this could adversely affect their test results.
Solution- We recommended changes to make the website more interactive in order to ease the intake process. This included a playful video introduction, fun ways for kids to interact online before their appointment and playful activities on site. We also added culturally inclusive images to site. Result- The client implemented our recommendations, which were popular and effective with families. She also enjoyed the changes and is now booked almost two years out. |
Reducing Homelessness & Sex Trafficking of Young Black Women
Challenge- The Agape House in Seattle provides Black and brown women with housing and other services when they transition out of foster care at age 21; a population that's at great risk for exploitation.
Solution- Working with the executive director, we conducted a communications audit and found overlooked strengths and potential partners. Result- The executive director and board used our recommendations to attract support from a larger agency, which helped them develop new, higher profile funding sources. |
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"Lee's training gave me invaluable insight into the subjects of equity and inclusion, and a depth of understanding that I desperately needed to be successful in my work. I have more confidence around the complex issues of racial justice and racial equity, and am grateful to her."
Sharon Frey Jones | Board Member, Puget Sound Grantwriters' Association
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Lee had good pointers on editing and the use of photos. I'm confident these changes will set me apart from other professionals in my field.
Anmy Summers, Ph.D. | Educational Psychologist
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Lee is like a midwife in understanding what we need. She was so encouraging through this process. Her strategic communications audit helped us coordinate our board and resources, which impressed donors.
Kiti Ward | Executive Director, The Agape House
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206.368.9608 | lee@zenaconsulting.com
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