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Expert specializes in diversity consulting, training, coaching and speaking. She also conducts cultural competency assessments.

She applies the theory and methods of anthropology to practical real world problems, both for business and non-profits. Specifically she specializes in unstructured and semi-structured ethnographic and qualitative approaches to understand people, organizations and programs. The understandings can involve behavior, habits and rituals, values, beliefs and perceptions as well as the context and systems that humans are immersed in (Industrial, institutional, social, cultural).

ETHNOGRAPHY. Expert uses qualitative research methods derived from anthropology. These approaches, known as ethnographic methods (participant observation, observation, formal and informal interviewing, and focus groups) are used to understand customer, consumer and user needs, problems, and desires. Ethnography helps to understand the context of customer problems and to understand the meanings and behaviors of customers, whether they be individuals or businesses.

Expert facilitates collaborative and group approaches to creating or revisiting the strategic vision and direction for the organization. She has lead these processes for both corporate and non-profit clients. Outcomes include clear strategic direction, new vision and mission statements, clear priorities for setting the next goals and objectives. She helps groups reach consensus and to make decisions. She also helps groups shift their perspective and thinking to catch up with current dynamics in the environment and market. This enables the groups to respond proactively to the changing context.

As a facilitator trained in group problem solving and appreciative inquiry processes, Expert has led cross-functional teams in activities ranging from deliberate team building sessions for new teams to project-focused sessions for existing teams. She has consulted and provided advise in team formation and member selection. The objectives of these sessions have included creating vision and mission statements; defining team goals, objectives, roles, and responsibilities; developing rules, norms of behavior, or values within the team; setting expectations; and agreeing to measurements of success. She also uses various exercises to build relationships and to help teams bond.

Expert has facilitated numerous ideation sessions, ranging in length from a half day to three days, for the purpose of generating and developing new product or service ideas for profit and nonprofit organizations. She has worked with groups in the pharmaceutical, credit card, art gallery, food, toy, cosmetics, insurance, banking, telecommunications, utilities, film, and airlines industries. The sessions Expert facilitates not only shorten and compress the time of early-stage product development, but also result in new strategic directions and new business opportunities. For example, one highly successful project in the beverage industry resulted in a turnaround for an existing business that was experiencing a decline in sales. Ideas for line extensions, new packaging, and promotions were generated and agreed to by decision-makers on the team. This led to rapid implementation and momentum for continued action over a period of years.

Expert has worked extensively in the "fuzzy front end" of product development on processes the initial stage of a phase gate process. She has facilitated processes that use combinations of both internal and external experts and customers to develop strategic directions for product development, understand customer needs, examine trends and market changes for anticipating new opportunities, develop multiple methods for idea generation, plan for the iterations necessary for idea development, and for screening and evaluation of ideas.

For a regional utility company, Expert developed, screened, and evaluated ideas using a stage gate process. This effort included building business cases or kill recommendations for individual concepts and recommending modifications to the stage gate process as needed.

Expert has conducted short seminars and extended training sessions in the areas of creativity enhancement and creative problem solving. These sessions require the use of actual business problems so the training can be used immediately to generate creative or innovative solutions to current issues. She is experienced with helping individuals learn the techniques of "thinking outside the box." This includes understanding the concept of whole brain thinking and learning methods such as Six Hats, image streaming, and improvisational theater techniques. Expert is trained in the co-active coaching method of the Coaches Institute. Coaching helps individuals attain personal and professional goals, remove creative blocks and achieve greater success. She coaches in areas such as professional and personal growth, mentoring or managing others, career transitions, and enhancing creativity.