Testimonials

“MJ has an uncanny ability to ask thoughtful and probing questions that bring out the best thinking and acting in leaders and groups.  Her capacity to synthesize complex information — from content to interpersonal dynamics and cultural contexts — make her an invaluable coach, facilitator and partner.”

Dianne Russell, Institute for Conservation Leadership, Executive Director

“MJ has a unique talent for bringing uncanny judgment and reason to difficult situations.  She gets the right people to the table to do the right work.  She is effective, rational, skilled and diplomatic.  Kaplan Consulting adds value by fostering meaningful change which increases management’s capabilities even in the most entrenched and resistant environments.”

Meredith Curren, Principal, Edgewood Holdings, Former CEO, Pease and Curren, Refiners

“ MJ combines an intuitive and research based strategic savvy with fresh eyes and energy for building a structure and dynamism into an organization. Every meeting results in practical high powered ideas.”

Hillary Salmons, Executive Director PASA

“Thanks so much for your professionalism, experience, expertise, commitment, flexibility and humor.  I am grateful for the opportunity to work with you.”

Atina Diffley, Founder, Organic Farming Works, 5th generation farmer, Board Member, Midwest Organic & Sustainable Educations Services

“We have worked with MJ for several years on a variety of strategic issues.  She has been extremely helpful, keeping us focused and helping us to define the long term goals of the business and the steps to get there.”

Paul Choquette, Chairman, Gilbane Inc.

“MJ helps me balance inclusiveness and accountability with my staff.  As a coach she provides honest and constructive feedback, with countless creative ideas to move through difficult changes.  She coaxes me to take risks and learn from mistakes.  Coaching is hard work but it pays off for me and my organization.”

Lea Schuster, Executive Director, Transit for Livable Communities

“MJ was firm but fair in managing our conversations, highly intelligent but quietly deferential to each participant, and deeply skilled at moving a discussion forward on time and productively. She always brought us back to accountability — demanding that we end each session with next steps/follow-up agendas.  She developed extremely useful insights into the group.  To a person, everyone who participated with the retreat was impressed with her professionalism.”

Rebecca Riley, Board member, Rails to Trails, Former Program Staff, The McArthur Foundation

“I served on the merger committee as a board member when our community development corporation merged.  It was a long, difficult process and we couldn’t have done it without the guidance and leadership of MJ.  She kept us focused and helped us work through the conflicts at every step.  She is extremely knowledgeable, skilled and professional”

Chiv Heng, Board member, CommunityWorks RI, Director of Information Technology, The Providence Plan

“The International Institute has tapped into MJ’s expertise several times to address critical strategy issues due to her listening and writing skills, diverse experience and ability to probe for new insights and opportunities.  Her sharp consulting skills are sure to add value.”

Bill Shuey, Executive Director, The International Institute

“MJ’s help was valuable beyond measure.  She spurred innovative thinking and critical structural changes that positioned Save the Bay at a critcal juncture.”

Curt Spalding, Administrator, EPA; Former Executive Director, Save the Bay

“After conducting a comprehensive assessment, MJ’s consulting had a tremendous impact. We can translate improved employee effectiveness and retention into more satisfied customers and better business results. She redesigned our customer service operation, developing a competency model and customer satisfaction metrics.  Perhaps her strongest role has been to guide our executive team.   She’s a true business partner.”

Francis Curren III, President, Pease & Curren Refiners

“MJ draws on her unique public and private sector expertise and has become an invaluable resource to help Brown social entrepreneurs grow sustainable, high performing enterprises.  What I appreciate most is her skills as a coach to help leaders realize their potential through comprehensive assessment and analysis, aligning strategies with structure and managing through change and conflict.”

Alan Harlam, Director, Social Innovation Institute, Brown University

“Thank you again for all you did for us during your stay in Santa Cruz.  You gave our board and staff a taste of what is is to work and think together as a team focusing on solutions rather than conflicts.  I wish you were with us longer and hope you will return.”

Pat Torpie, Founder and Director, Amigos de Santa Cruz, Guatemala

“I have long admired MJ Kaplan’s consulting expertise during my years as Executive Vice President at United Way of RI. More recently I have had the opportunity to work closely with MJ in her capacity as a guest lecturer in a course I teach on strategic thinking, planning and action. MJ shared her wisdom and advice based on many years of successful practice. MJ’s wise and skilled consulting advice has helped transform many organizations that are now high performing and achieving high impact. Her work at Brown this semester has helped transform the lives of students and demonstrated so well her talents as both a teacher and consultant. In my mind, MJ is among the very best.”

Bill Allen, Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy, Taubman Center for Public Policy and American Institutions, Brown University