Consulting
Focused on Transformative Outcomes
We design and develop confidential, customized projects grounded in collaborative work to inform and engage leaders and teams. We help diverse groups navigate and resolve conflict productively, and often achieve transformative outcomes.
Organizational Trauma and Historical Harm
We specialize in working with organizational trauma and historical harm. Unaddressed, these issues have a profound and disabling impact on organizations, eroding productivity and unraveling community. Recovery, healing, resilience, and transformative outcomes can arise through recognition, re-connection, and applied repair conducted through shared learning and wiser actions.
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Our Approach to Consulting
Every engagement is tailored to meet the unique needs of the specific project:
- We draw from your experience and rely on listening sessions to identify strategic pathways for action.
- From that foundation, we create transparent, collaborative governance and project design frameworks that help clients clarify critical issues, identify essential partnerships, and leverage emerging opportunities.
- We specialize in public information and education programs, large-scale community engagement initiatives, and helping organizations navigate critical transitions and decisions.
Consulting Examples & Philosophy
Selected Inter-Jurisdictional Strategic Planning Facilitations
(2010-current)
Mary Dumas facilitates the formation and development of governance structures and operations for collective action. Clients include: Bellingham City Council; Bellingham Planning & Development; Bellingham-Whatcom County Commission Against Domestic Violence; Northwest Agriculture Business Center; Partnership for a Sustainable Economy; Skagit County Jail; Slum Doctors Program; Waterfront Futures Project Advisory Group, Port of Bellingham; Whatcom Conservation District; Whatcom County Law & Justice Council; City of Everson.
University of Virginia Institute for Environmental Negotiation
Toolkit Design and Train the Trainer Facilitation (2017-2020)
Mary Dumas was selected to serve on the national advisory committee for the Equitable Collaboration and Facilitation Design Toolkit for Transforming Community Spaces, convened by University of Virgina, Charlottesville. Mary contributed trauma-informed facilitation and equitable engagement strategies for the online manual; a full-day professional development training, and workshop instruction testing for national audiences.
Burlington Edison School District
(2013-2014)
Mary Dumas was selected to facilitate the Capital Facilities Plan Situation Assessment for this rural Washington School District. Mary designed the formation of a 27-member Advisory Body responsible for public input to the technical situation assessment, facilitated Advisory meetings and educational tours and workshops over a two-year period; and documented input for review, prioritization and development of final recommendations approved by consensus.
Whatcom County Pandemic Influenza Task Force
(2006 - 2008)
Mary Dumas was selected by open bid process to design and facilitate the 2006 Whatcom Pandemic Influenza Task Force, a 120-member inter-organizational body examining community capacity and adaptability in the event of a sustained emergency. Mary designed six workgroups, coordinated information, education, and input preparation for all Task Force meetings, conducted two community-wide summits, documented input, and co-authored the report.
