| Bios |
Ron Milam works to transform Southern California into a sustainable region by developing the leadership of community-based organizations. Since 2005, Ron has served over 65 nonprofits, businesses and local governments as a facilitator, trainer and coach. As a Certified Professional Facilitator, Ron has led over 175 retreats, planning sessions, community meetings and focus groups. He’s supported the leadership of numerous organizations to decide their mission, vision, values, strategies, goals, work plans and/or important policy decisions. Ron has also presented over 100 interactive capacity building workshops in the areas of strategic planning, board development, facilitation and fundraising for over 1,800 leaders in the nonprofit sector. Prior to consulting, Ron launched the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition in 1998 and served as its first Executive Director. Under Ron’s leadership, the organization grew from an idea into a 1,000 member organization. Having prioritized leadership development throughout his tenure, the organization continues to grow and play a pivotal role in the growing bicycling movement in Southern California. Outside of consulting, Ron served on the Board of Directors of Sustainable South Bronx and the Alliance for Bicycling and Walking. He’s participated in the Southern California Leadership Network's Leadership Southern California fellowship, Coro's Leadership New York program, the David Rimer Fellowship at LA Social Venture Partners and the LA Urban Rangers. Ron holds a B.S. in Planning, Public Policy and Management from the University of Oregon. Associates Bob McKechnie, Senior Associate After a successful career in public education, Bob tried retirement for a short time and found it unappealing so he launched a new career in fundraising for nonprofit organizations. So far Bob has concentrated his efforts on writing grant proposals for several nonprofits in the areas of education, animal welfare, poverty, food insecurity and homelessness. In addition to grant writing, he's helped Ron research potential foundation and individual donors, supported the creation fund development plans and managed fundraising databases. Meg Wade Meg Wade has worked as a researcher, consultant, and community organizer for non-profits, including Democracy Unlimited of Humboldt County, and Citizens for Election Integrity Minnesota. Some of her favorite experiences include co-chairing the transportation committee for the first-ever U.S. participatory budgeting project (in Chicago's 49th Ward), and organizing a labor union with fellow graduate student teachers at the University of Chicago. A former board member for both the Humboldt Independent Business Alliance and Local First Chicago, here in L.A. Meg helps promote independent business and culture at Skylight Books. Currently, Ron and Meg are co-writing an article on retreat facilitation. Steven Bowers Steven has over ten years experience assisting nonprofit organizations in a variety of board, volunteer, salaried, and independently contracted capacities. Before coming to Los Angeles in 2003, he spearheaded the five-year development of a park advocacy organization-sponsored cultural event series at an urban park in his native Boston. In Los Angeles he has served as Secretary and Volunteer Coordinator for the Los Angeles chapter of Veterans for Peace in support of its flagship project, the Arlington West Memorial and done major gifts fundraising for Peace Action West. He currently provides executive administrative assistance to the Children’s Medical Care Foundation. Steven is currently assisting Ron with various meetings he facilitates. Chu Chu Chu Chu is currently a Master of Public Administration student at School of Policy, Planning and Development of University of Southern California. She holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from China Foreign Affairs University. Chu has experience in research, communications, project management, event planning and conflict resolution. She has interned with various organizations and companies such as United Nations Development Programme, Grail Research, Asian Pacific American Dispute Resolution Center and the North Star Academy. She volunteered for Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and just finished a school project on preparing Rio De Janeiro for a successful Olympics. Aurisha Smolarski Aurisha Smolarski received training as a mediator through the Los Angeles Dispute Resolution Program in 2007. She worked for 10 years as staff and board member in advocacy and educational non-profits, often lending her services in resolving conflict and facilitating meetings. She lives at the LA Eco Village where she volunteers as one of the resident conflict resolution mediators and meeting facilitators. She is trained in Non-Violent Communication, an integral part of effective communication in mediation. She holds a Masters in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University and is currently interning at the Women’s Clinic and Family Counseling Center. (Photo: Tom M Johnson) |
