Claudia Lach

I saw Claudia deftly combine structure (a well thought out agenda) with presence and human connection to be able to adapt as necessary as the conversation flowed. In my experience, few consultants are able to combine both things: structure and the kind of presence, deep listening and human connection to be able to steer a group in a way that allows the group to achieve desired outcomes for the meeting as well as have their voices and needs met.

Claudia was hired to create and conduct customer service training for a group of individuals who had just had their job responsibilities changed resulting in an increased attention to customer service. Our requirement was very time sensitive and forced a compressed window for both the development and execution of the training. Claudia was able to step in and very quickly assess what was required and then in short order was able to deliver a plan that addressed all of our needs. She was very successful in engaging our staff in meaningful dialogue as well as exercises that helped staff absorb customer service concepts. Claudia had an open and welcoming demeanor which encouraged staff to fully participate and made them feel at ease which given the changes they had been through was instrumental in the success of the training. Although the engagement was completed a few months ago, Claudia has followed up with us to ensure we are moving forward as she is very committed and concerned with the impact of her curriculum and execution.

I'm so thankful that Claudia facilitated our meetings. She was able to keep the transition committee on track and to focus on important issues. Claudia helped the committee develop a profile of the best possible ED candidate for the organization. Had it not been for Claudia's guidance and support throughout the process, I believe we would not have hired our current ED, who we now know was the best candidate for the position.

Claudia's facilitation style was very interactive. She framed the issues and then got us involved in very concrete activities and discussion to bring the concepts alive. Since the audience was diverse in its cultural and educational background, this ability to translate theory into practice was particularly important.

On the Better Jobs Better Care project, Claudia added tremendous value through her ability to relate to the many different levels and backgrounds of staff that were involved. She created an environment of safety that allowed participants to speak freely, and to be able to communicate about difficult topics in ways that did not put people on the defensive. Part of how I think she did this was through her willingness to make herself vulnerable and to model open communication.

The team of YES staff, volunteers, and community members was challenged by Claudia from the beginning. She knew how to provoke them and get them thinking outside of the box. She listened to what they cared about. She also knew when to nurture them and get them to describe the core values and short/long term objectives of the YES programs. In a short period of meetings, the team developed logic models and tools to measure outcomes. The ending to this story was empowerment. Claudia helped us to discover a variety of individual interests and talents and then act together for a common goal.

Claudia worked on a significant project with United Way to translate into Spanish and present an extensive training on using outcome measurement in nonprofit organizations. She brought a high degree of technical skill and sensitivity to language and cultural issues, as well as wonderful good humor that far exceeded my highest expectations and made the project both fun and successful.

Claudia Lach is one of the most skilled trainers and facilitators that I have ever worked with. In 2004/5 We co-created Networking for Outcomes for the Boston Youth Sports Initiative. Claudia provided training, individual consultation and coaching to cohorts of sport-based youth development organizations to create logic models and design, test and refine outcome measurement tools. Organization leaders, board members and providers came together to share learnings in a monthly community of practice that we co-facilitated. It was a fantastic program and Claudia is amazing to work with in every way.

Claudia Lach has a true talent for connecting with individuals and understanding the unique complexities of their organizations. I was lucky enough to have two opportunities to experience her incredible leadership during my time as Volunteer Manager at Youth Enrichment Services. The first was through a cooperative planning process with several non-profits in the Boston area as part of a Barr Foundation grant. The second was a fruitful strategic planning process for YES. Her gift of creating a safe and productive space for individuals to explore their true potential, establish practical next steps, and transform their organizations is invaluable.

Claudia is a fantastic person to work with. She worked with our organization to help us develop our internal values and we are very pleased with the results. She is an excellent facilitator and really helped us stay focused on our objectives.

I participated in several group training sessions and meetings with Claudia Lach and I always came out with something valuable to think on. I could always count on the meetings being well-paced, productive, not to mention really enjoyable!

For many of us who are constantly multitasking, Claudia has a way of helping to pull it together and bring some direction into what has to be done. She uses all ways of teaching to help bring meaning to the task at hand.

Claudia Lach is a masterful facilitator and trainer. She has an uncanny ability to help groups find direction, reach consensus and work through difficult issues.

Claudia Lach provides thoughtful, expert guidance for her clients. She tailors her services to the client and or project at hand. Using the metaphor of ships at sea, she can be the light house, the ship's pilot when entering and leaving port, and she can guide the ship's captain and crew to be better at their various jobs.

After our one-day intensive with Claudia, we immediately began to see team results. We were transformed into an organization committed to the same goals and prepared to face our challenges as all teams should: together.

Justice At Work hired Claudia Lach to gather information from key stakeholders and facilitate a board retreat aimed at defining our mission, vision and theory of change. Through her outstanding outreach and interviews with grassroots organizations, she provided us with critical information and insights into how we can be more effective, and now, thanks, to a very well facilitated retreat, we have come to consensus on Justice At Work's foundational language.