The White Rock-South Surrey Division of Family Practice recently had the pleasure of engaging Siena Consulting to assist us in developing a project directory, prioritized work plan, as well as recruiting our first Executive Director. As a rapidly growing non-profit organization attempting multiple and varied projects, we greatly benefited from the support provided by Siena (particularly that provided by Bohdan Zajcew).

Throughout each of these exercises, we found Siena to be extremely helpful. Bohdan and his team listened carefully, and as a result, rapidly learned the culture of our organization. Our goals and processes were quickly understood and we were able to move forward efficiently. Equally important, as soon as Siena assessed our strengths and opportunities for improvement, they made practical recommendations to meet identified shortfalls. They provided documentation templates and other supporting materials to assist us in our day to day planning; their assistance in leading in-person, face-face as well as teleconference meetings helped to focus our discussions; and their recommendations and follow-up were always provided in a timely fashion. Furthermore, the assistance and experience they provided throughout the process of advertising, shortlisting, interviewing, assessing, and negotiating a contract with our new Executive Director was invaluable.

It was instructive and delightful to work with Siena's skilled and personable staff, and we would have no hesitation in calling upon their expertise in the future.

Charles King, Physician Lead Division of Family Practice, White Rock-South Surrey

This past summer, Siena Consulting led our senior management team through a series of workshops which focussed on the Gallery's strategic planning process for the realization of a new, purpose-built facility. We were very impressed with Gayle and Bohdan's abilities to quickly immerse themselves in the issues, ideas and concepts related to a new Vancouver Art Gallery. They were very effective in building a strong dynamic among our senior managers and in helping to clarify the Gallery's vision through a number of environmental scanning exercises. Their process was one of collaboration and consensus-building while working through the issues in a timely and highly productive manner. At the end of the sessions, our team left feeling very enthusiastic and excited about our future! The recommendations that Gayle and Bohdan provided following these workshops clearly articulated the issues and next steps. We certainly would welcome the opportunity to work with Siena Consulting again.

Paul Larocque, Associate Director, Vancouver Art Gallery

Gayle and Bohdan from Siena Consulting assisted in designing and facilitating two breakout sessions at our Provincial Pain Summit. They brought tremendous creativity to designing the sessions and skillful facilitation to make both break out groups interactive and energizing.  They understood what we were looking for in a facilitation approach - an approach that would enable relationship building AND generating concrete suggestions for change - and they delivered that.  Bohdan's report back was the best I've ever seen - using a wonderful narrative style that clearly communicated both the process and outcome of their breakout. I highly recommend them as process designers and facilitators!

Maria Hudspith, Executive Director, Pain BC  

I found the team of Bohdan Zajcew and Gayle Farrell to be extremely thorough, knowledgeable, reliable, supportive and professional...their work more than exceeded both my expectations and those of our board of directors. The resulting strategic plan that Siena has prepared for our organization is user-friendly, professional, and straightforward and offers realistic goals and timelines...we received excellent value for our investment. In fact, Siena Consulting went above and beyond; we got far more than our money's worth.

Laura Efron, General Manager, Rumble Productions

Siena Consulting first become involved with the Council at a time when we were progressively losing government funding. Gayle and Bohdan worked closely with us to understand our work, our funding history and to learn what our stakeholders thought. Through a very thorough process that involved staff and Board, they developed a strategic business plan for the Council that addressed our most pressing needs and helped us strengthen our mission.

In working with the Siena team, it quickly became apparent that they have a thorough understandng of both strategic and tactical needs. The business plan they developed for the Council became the "go to" document that we used to renew the organization and put it on firmer financial footing. Through their support in implementing components of the plan, we were able to secure significant funding as well as position the organization to work more closely with funders, both government and non-government...

I would recommend Siena Consulting to organizations and colleagues who are interested in developing high-impact strategies and plans that work.

Carol Matusicky, PhD, Former Executive Director, BC Council for Families

In 2000 Siena Consulting prepared a communications plan for VV and then developed an update in 2005. Our Leadership Team continues to work with this plan, and we now modify it internally on an annual basis.

Siena uses a consultative model in developing plans. Gayle interviewed internal and external stakeholders to provide us with anecdotal information and multi-facted perspectives. She determines the best means of communicating with our  many varied audiences. Gayle truly understands the many stakeholders we have in non-profit organizations.

The plan ensured [we] were able to articulate our own goals and objectives. [In 2008] Gayle volunteered to be part of our fund development committee, and she adapted the fund development strategy into our key message. Her critical role as a volunteer in this phase of our development was an essential part of the outcome - a clear fund development plan for 2009 - 2010.

We would whole-heartedly recommend Siena Consulting to other organizations interested in developing communications strategies, plans and materials. If the organization is true to the plan as created by Siena, it will experience success in delivering its message in the community.

Colleen Kelly, Executive Director, Vantage Point (formerly Volunteer Vancouver)

The HR Council worked with Siena Consulting to create a strategy document...they were thorough in their approach and flexible to the needs of the process. They related well with the variety of stakeholders they engaged through interviews and a face to face meeting. Their expertise, professionalism and candidness made them easy to work with ... The results pushed the HR Council's way of thinking and provided us with a solid base from which to move forward."

Tanara Pickard, Project Manager, HR Council for the Non-Profit Sector