We provide excellent training and facilitation services, helping people work together to create participatory organizations and revitalized communities.
Who we are and what we value:
We are a consortium of trainers, facilitators and consultants operating in the greater Sacramento region who promote participatory leadership and facilitation. We are on the leading edge of change in designing, delivering and training people on simple, yet highly productive group leadership processes. We specialize in imparting a unique method of facilitation called the Technology of Participation (ToP ®).
All of our staff have reached the highest level of professional certification from Institutions such as the International Association of Facilitators, Institute of Cultural Affairs, and the International Association of Public Participation.
We are committed to modeling our values of respectful dialogue, inclusive participation, collaborative action and community building.
Our Team
One of the most valuable benefits of working with the Sacramento Professional Facilitators team is the breadth and depth of knowledge and experience that they bring to your training. Each member of our team is a professional facilitator in a diverse variety of community, professional and organizational settings.
- Bill Davis
Bill’s experience includes project management and consulting for high-tech firms as well as the facilitation of boards, work teams, and ad-hoc groups consisting of community and business leaders. Learn More »
- Heidi Kolbe, M.A.
Heidi motivates and energizes a group for action by leading productive meetings. With over twenty years of facilitation experience, Heidi brings extensive expertise in assisting groups through meetings to achieve results and move forward in a collective manner. Heidi serves clients in organizational development, planning, meeting facilitation, and training. She also trains facilitators to the master’s level. Learn More »
- Marilyn Oyler
- Partners in Participation
- 602-468-0605
- 602-460-8843 mobile
- 602-296-7482 fax
- marilynoyler@cox.net
As a staff member of the ICA for 40 years, Marilyn Oyler was part of ICA’s pioneering efforts in developing inclusive collaborative methods. She facilitated the collaborative development of the nationally recognized Technology of Participation (ToP®) Series and coordinated the ToP Trainers Network to deliver the ToP series. She has extensive experience in facilitation, training, consulting, curriculum design and program development with very diverse groups, including 14 years in other countries.
- Janice Critchlow
Janice Critchlow has coordinated community collaboratives for 24 years and specializes in those with members from the public, nonprofit, faith-based, and business sectors. She has extensive and successful grantswriting experience. Special focus areas have included homelessness, disabilities, and early education.
Janice took the 2007-2008 Mastering the Technology of Participation (MToP) course in Oakland and is enrolled in the 2010-2011 MToP in Walnut Creek. She is a master facilitator for the SPF Facilitator Mentoring program. Janice was a co-presenter of The Facilitator’s Shadow Side: Dealing with Difficult Participants When You’re the Difficult One workshop. She has served on the First 5 Placer Facilitator Recorder Team since 2005. Janice is a member of the ToP Network.
- Laura Nabity
Laura Nabity has facilitated groups since 1996 when she first learned the Technology of Participation methods. Laura’s passion is psychology and all that supports personal and professional growth. Laura earned her BA in Psychology in 1979 and her MA in Counseling Psychology in 2008. She currently serves the CA Department of Education as the Training Office Manager. Laura teaches internal coursework with a facilitative style, guiding participants to self-discovery and practical application of new skills. She facilitates group work in conflict resolution, problem solving, and planning. As a graduate of Mastering the Technology of Participation coursework, Laura co-facilitates mentoring sessions with the Sacramento Professional Facilitators.
- Ruth Medlin
Ruth Medlin works for Tulare County. She comes to Sacramento to join her ToP facilitator’s group once or twice a year. Ruth completed her MToP class in 2005 and is continuing her facilitator’s journey to become a ToP trainer. Ruth calls Tulare, California home. She lives on her family’s ranch with 3 dogs and 5 cats.
- Marlene Lockwood
Marlene Lockwood, BSN, MPA, CPF, has a powerfully clear personal vision to bring the values of participation and collaboration into the workforce place. She combines her knowledge of and experience in healthcare and business to run a successful consulting and coaching practice. For organizations and groups who require support in strategic planning, board development, team development, project revitalization, and various forms of facilitation she brings a wealth of experience. She uses dynamic processes that inspire participation and involvement and encourages opportunities for valuable collaboration that result in individual commitment and timely group action.
Marlene is a Certified Circle of Life Coach. She works one-on-one and with small groups to support them in their quest for greater clarity of purpose, health, vitality, productivity, and joy. She facilitates people in finding a pathway to personal improvement through a process that has proven effective for thousands of people in a wide array of contexts.
Earlier in her career Marlene held the position of Director of Business Service for a 300 bed hospital leading 100 staff in serving patients from admission to discharge. She was a leader for the Healing Healthcare project which focused on supporting staff and blending traditional and complementary medicine. She also was a facilitator and trainer for the hospital’s system wide implementation of Total Quality Management.
Marlene received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing and her Certificate in Public Health Nursing from California State University at Sacramento. She received her Master of Public Administration from the University of San Francisco.
As well as a Certified Coach, she is a Certified Professional Facilitator certified by the International Association of Facilitators (IAF), and Qualified as a Myers Briggs Trainer. She holds Certification by the Institute of Cultural Affairs in Technology of Participation Methods and serves as national faculty for ICA, training others to use participatory methods.
Along with her private consulting practice Marlene works as a principle with the Sacramento Professional Facilitators. Their office is located at 1129 Firehouse Alley, Sacramento, CA. 95814. You can reach her at 530-417-0884 or by emailing her at marlenelockwood@sbcglobal.net.