Becky is a private consultant with an emphasis in group facilitation, strategic planning, issue resolution, and policy development. Drawing upon multiple disciplines, Becky has designed and facilitated a wide range of meetings, retreats and strategic planning processes for both the public and non-profit sectors, and has over 25 years experience in non-profit management, coalition building, and policy change.
During her career, Becky has previously held positions with the WV School-Based Health Assembly and the Governor’s Cabinet on Children and Families, and has served as a government relation’s specialist at Tonkin Management Group to advance public health and child welfare policy issues.
In addition to facilitation and consultation, Becky serves as co-coordinator of Our Babies: Safe and Sound, a statewide educational campaign on infant safety sponsored by TEAM for West Virginia Children. In this position, she is responsible for research, program design, implementation, technical assistance, and facilitation. Most recently, Say YES To Safe Sleep for Babies, an infant safe sleep parent educational program, has been implemented with 16 birthing hospitals and 20 home visitation programs across West Virginia.
Becky is a certified trainer in the Standards of Excellence for the Non-Profit Sector, is a member of the International Association of Facilitators, and has served on numerous non-profit boards. She is a graduate of West Virginia University and Marshall University College of Graduate Studies, and holds a master’s degree in counseling and guidance, with an emphasis in community organization.
Collective Impact is working with faculty members of the University of Tennessee Knoxville, Center for Sustainable Business and Development, Department of Political Science, and Department of Retail, Hospitality, and Tourism Management to conduct a research project to better understand Appalachian tourism and identify opportunities to grow tourism activities and encourage business development throughout the region. The project is funded through a competitive grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) - a federal economic development agency. The project is the largest and most comprehensive study of tourism ever conducted by the commission, which covers 205,000 square miles across 420 counties in 13 states. Results of the study will help us better understand the state of tourism of the region, new growth areas for tourism in Appalachian communities, and best practices and successful strategies to help the communities succeed. The project will use research, surveys, site visits, and focus groups as part of the research method. The project also will identify communities to use as case studies to illustrate local tourism success stories and best practices for tourism business development.
American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) contracted with Collective Impact to conduct a qualitative market research analysis including sales trend, customer satisfaction, product needs, product development, and marketing and advertising. The project culminated with the development of a summary report with key conclusions and strategic recommendations. The American Foundation for the Blind removes barriers, creates solutions, and expands possibilities so people with vision loss can achieve their full potential. This was AFB’s our motto when they opened their doors in 1921, and it continues to guide them today. As a national nonprofit with offices in five US cities, AFB is a leader in expanding possibilities for the more than 20 million Americans living with vision loss by championing access and equality, and standing at the forefront of new technologies.
“I landed my current position by making connections through the internship program with Collective Impact. This is an amazing program and was exactly what I needed to progress into the working world. Not only was I able to grow in professional development, I was also able to grow personally through my experiences in this internship. Every single person I met was supportive, enthusiastic and really expressed their want in me to succeed. I would recommend this program to anyone who has graduated college and or is graduating in order to provide their next step into a career. Thank you Bruce Decker and your Collective Impact team for providing this wonderful opportunity!” ~ Ryan Jefferson-Director, Lincoln County Green Wastewater Project and Former Affordable Housing Intern, Hamlin, WV
