Zaagaate Consulting, LLC
Zaagaate means “the sun comes out” in Ojibwemowin, representing the transformative power of light as a catalyst for new growth and as a sustaining force for life cycles. Wisdom, trust, and relationships fuel the power of the moment when the sun comes out, and life can thrive. Zaaagaate; I named my work for this powerful force. My consulting work includes providing expert guidance, mentorship and capacity building, knowledge translation support, and speaking engagements. I have worked with organizations including governments, health systems, community groups, and research groups who are planning, implementing, or evaluating programs or policies. I have also worked with individual researchers, academics, and community leaders who are building skills for effectiveness in public health and policy engagement. I deeply enjoy this work and welcome you to contact me to inquire about my rates and availability for partnering.
Research, policy, and evaluation expertise
Having led dynamic and cohesive teams to produce policy-relevant research for over 20 years, I provide guidance and support to individual researchers and for research project teams for effective research leadership and successful research project implementation. Before I began my academic career, I worked in policy at the state, federal, and international levels. I have retained a focus on engagement with policy development, implementation, and evaluation, with an emphasis on ensuring that the voices and perspectives of those most affected by health challenges are informing policy at every stage. I offer the following types of support in research, policy, and evaluation:
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Content area expertise in research on rural health, maternal health, Indigenous health, policy analysis, methods, health equity, and evaluation
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Expert guidance and input on program or policy implementation, analysis, and
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Strategies for proposal development, team building, and/or project management
Capacity building for knowledge translation and policy communication
(individual and organizational)
The major issues and research methods in health policy are constantly evolving. As a result, my goal in this work is to convey not just specific tools and methods, but to help people develop the ability and confidence to effectively define and implement policy-relevant research questions in an innovative and rigorous manner. My capacity building and policy education work is centered on my commitment to both offering high-caliber and high-integrity training and mobilizing research insights to broad public audiences. I am proud to teach talented individuals and teams the practical skills they need to successfully engage in research and influence health policy. Read more about my approach and experiences with teaching.
In my consultation work, I support the development of strategies for policy change based on decades of experience ensuring that target audiences receive essential information. I can offer the following types of support:
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Development of research dissemination and policy communication strategies
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Support for target user engagement in proposal development and research design
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Mentorship for policy-engaged scholarship
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Individualized training in effective policy problem framing, policy analysis, and policy communication
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Guidance on persuasive writing (many of my former students have published opinion pieces and commentaries)
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Academic time management support
Speaking
Data and storytelling combine to reveal urgent truths about health and well-being. I have presented to diverse audiences at many professional meetings and conferences, webinars, and grand rounds, and have been invited to give multiple keynote addresses. I have also presented my work and stories at community meetings and for local organizations. I enjoy sharing my work, and having the opportunity to connect in conversation, both in person and online. See where I’ve recently spoken or presented:
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Keynote addresses
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Panel presentations
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Trainings and seminars
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Community meetings
For speaking requests, please complete this form
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