Strategic Communication & Facilitation

Lee Mozena was asked by a Seattle Family Support Center to help reverse a dramatic drop in American Muslim women participating in WIC, the federal food assistance program for low-income families, after the events of 9/11. The program manager knew these traditional women wore head scarves and were afraid to leave home. One had been verbally attacked by a stranger. Lee's solution began with meetings for staff and neighborhood leaders.

"Teach us to swim, our children are drowning," was the participant's first request. In fact, several Muslim youth had perished off the shores of local parks in recent years. The ladies also wanted activities to relieve stress and prevent depression.  

We found a nearby public facility to host a weekly swim hour for families that also honored their cultural imperative to practice gender-separation. The Meadowbrook Sister's Swim quickly attracted funding, re-engaged WIC recipients, and created new partnerships. Featured in the Seattle Times and NPR Radio, it won praise from Seattle's mayor, and has been replicated in other USA cities.

Training

Lee Mozena was asked to help Puget Sound Grantwriters Association, (PSGA), members meet higher expectations from the region's philanthropic community around equity, diversity and inclusion. Many writers felt ill-equipped to address this specialization. And, they are rarely privy to the same training their clients got.

She designed and co-presented a training with Chanya Allen, entitled: “Writing About Equity with Confidence & Credibility”. The first part covered E/D/I ethics, best-practices, and how writer's can positively or negatively impact communities through grants. For part two, Lee put together and facilitated a panel discussion with funding officers from private and public foundations. The candid discussion, advice, and Q&A from the panelists was rare and informative. ​The event sold out, had a wait list, and a follow-on training was requested. 
Lee consulted with an education psychologist who conducts pediatric assessments and academic testing. The client wanted to reduce stress for families, and believed more relaxed children yield more accurate test results.  Lee recommended these changes:
  • introduction of the doctor's dog to engage visitors in a fun way on the website 
  • production of a website video to help children get familiar with the doctor, the office, and her intake process in the comfort of their home, before their assessment
  • making the intake process friendlier- upon arrival, kids are invited to name one of the office goldfish
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The client praised Lee's ideas and reported that families in her practice seemed more relaxed and engaged from the start. An additional advantage was the interactive improvements set her apart from others in a highly competitive field.

Management Consulting

Ken Batali was hired by a quick-service restaurant group of 30 company-owned outlets in anticipation of explosive changes before the firm was to be acquired by a large, international chain. 

This project entailed a review the training tools needed to coordinate for crew members and franchisees, in addition to other key aspects of the business, such as site selection, financing, and marketing. ​Operational management training and consulting took many forms, including bi-lingual videos, traditional manuals, and tests. One highlight was Ken's creation and implementation of a “mock” unit with all equipment and systems in place for hands-on learning. This “university” setting allowed for the rapid education of operators from around the country, as they visited Seattle to get to know the food and the culture of the organization.

His expertise helped the company grow to over 200 units in less than 4 years. 
"Lee's work with the Muslim Sisters group was invaluable–once again. She helped us establish new strategic partners, which will expand our funding base and visibility."
Ann Fuller, Program Manager, North Seattle Family Center