Helping organizations
achieve their missions!

Board Members
Among the numerous consultants I have worked with over the years, Peggy Kieschnick is at the top in terms of talent and skill. As a facilitator she is remarkably adept at balancing "process" with "results" -- she ensures that diverse viewpoints are heard and acknowledged while always keeping
people focused and moving towards the goal... Her detailed reports at the conclusion of the process are excellent blueprints for helping organizations take the next steps. Peggy also has a deep personal commitment to social change, and grasps how the dynamics within organizations fit within the greater political context. She is simply one of the best.
- Lee Sullivan, Board of Directors, Center for Wildlife. Cape Neddick, ME

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Collaborations
I've been in 3 or 4 collaborations that have worked with Peggy as facilitator, organizational development consultant, project coordinator and pretty much chief bottle washer. In all of those roles she has consistently gone beyond the expected to tackle a wide range of functions, issues, and concerns in a way that had everyone involved feeling good about the outcome. She has managed to get people with sharp philosophical differences, personality conflicts, and easily-bruised egos to work together in a constructive and professional manner, even when some of them were dragged kicking and screaming into the process.

But what I especially like about Peggy's approach to this work is that she doesn't come at you with pre-disposed methods, the "7 or 9 laws of collaboration" or a 'shtick' of any kind. Rather, she brings to the task a strong understanding of how non-profits need to function in the real world, and she always took the time and trouble to really find out about the specific groups, organizations, and individuals she was working with...She devoted all her effort as facilitator to meeting our goals, not trying to sell us a pre-packaged plan that she could fit us into..."
- Stephen Geller, Former Executive Director, Rockingham Community Action, Rockingham County, NH

Our coalition has created various plans - business, strategic, financial - but staying on track with a plan is primarily my responsibility as coordinator of the coalition. This is tricky work, keeping vision, values and mission in focus... while still dealing with the dozens of "surprises" and thousands of details that I face each week. The best support I've found for staying with a long range plan is meeting regularly with Peggy as "executive coach", to look again at the big picture and then adapt the plan to the realities of the present. Peggy is great at helping me to celebrate successes, take a hard look at what I can realistically manage to get done...and then make choices for the next few weeks ahead.
- Diane Brandon, Director, Community Wellness Coalition, Southern, Maine.

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Funders
"Peggy is my top referral when a nonprofit needs help with their strategic planning. Her approach is accessible and pragmatic - she is a coach, a task master, and an educator. And it works!"
New Hampshire Funder

Peggy is an intent and careful listener. She is able to facilitate groups whose members have tremendously diverse backgrounds, and has an innate ability to synthesize information from a variety of stakeholders. She has excellent communication skills and the ability to provide clear, concise and useful bodies of work that can then be implemented by the client.
New Hampshire/Southern Maine Funder

As a program Director, Peggy taught me how to work effectively with my Advisory Board...Working with my Advisory Board, Peggy valued and integrated each person's participation. She probed and synthesized what was said, moving the group discussion rather than parroting comments.
Her preparation and follow-up were thorough, insightful, and at times innovative.
Effie Malley, Program Director, Suicide Prevention Partnership,Portsmouth, NH

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Nonprofit Directors
The three year strategic plan we developed in 2001 is dog-eared from use as a helpful reference, and continues to serve as our reference point for both daily and longer term work decisions.
Katherine Hartnett, Senior Project Director, NH Minimum Impact Development, The Jordan Institute

Peggy has won the respect and admiration of both the families and staff of Concord Even Start. She has an exceptional ability to facilitate meaningful discussions by asking thoughtful, insightful questions as she listens with respect to individual stories, as well as group discussions. Peggy is then able to support the group through the process of organizing and clarifying various thoughts and ideas to reveal common goals of the individuals in the group. As a result, the group is able to quickly move toward a unified approach to problem solving and goal setting.

Concord Even Start has come to rely on the skillful guidance that Peggy offers through her local evaluation each year. Her recommendations are practical and attainable, focusing on existing program strengths, yet offering opportunities to continually develop areas in need of improvement.

Families and staff thoroughly enjoy the opportunity to work with Peggy, whose warm, positive energy is an inspiration as we work together.
Laurie Hart, Director, Concord Even Start, Concord, NH

Peggy has great organizational, communication, and facilitation skills. When you work with her, she spends time upfront understanding your issues, and then plans a very tailored, not cookie cutter, response for your organization, whether it is grant writing, facilitating board/staff strategic planning, staff workshops, etc. She is very perceptive at understanding the dynamics of your organization..., and can communicate well the positive characteristics of your agency. This combination of skills...means that your group is much more likely to have a successful outcome and move forward.

Peggy has always made us feel that she really cares about our organization and the process that is so important to having a successful outcome. She has excellent follow-through and sees this process through from beginning to end, as opposed to some consultants who come in and out very quickly. It is always worth the time and money working with Peggy, because you are always sure of what you are getting from Peggy's work and its value.
Helen Taft, Executive Director, Families First of the Greater Seacoast, Portsmouth, NH

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Schools
I have known Peggy in a professional capacity for over 8 years and have found her to be consistently excellent in her consultant services. Peggy is able to cut through to the heart of the matter in a skillful and considerate manner and produce a final product of amazing clarity and organization. She has worked with many different constituencies within the Dover School District with a high level of success and professionalism. She is a master at building consensus, yet able to keep even the most difficult group focused and on task. Peggy is by far one of the most skilled facilitators I have ever worked with, no exceptions.....
Jean Briggs, Federal Projects Coordinator, Dover School Department,Dover, NH
 

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Workshop Participants
Peggy Kieschnick is one of the most effective facilitators it has been my pleasure to work with. The amazing energy and enthusiasm she has are contagious to those participating in her sessions. She listens well to other people and skillfully communicates what they are saying to the rest of the group. I cannot think of a facilitator I would rather work with.
John Russell, Workshop Participant, Dover, NH
 

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