“Stacy, how is it that you can take something as dull as board governance and make it so much fun?” – Susan R.

About Stacy Sjogren

Some boards count on me to help them resolve or improve specific boardroom challenges. Other boards understand the impact of a comprehensive redesign of their governance process and rely on my guidance to see them through the transition. Yet other organizations have a tradition of advisory boards or councils and are concerned about maximizing their effectiveness. Whatever your situation, I can provide the personalized service your organization needs to improve efficiency, effectiveness and satisfaction in the boardroom.

A tremendous influence on my understanding of effective governance process stems from the study of Policy Governance®, a complete system through which boards can effectively conceptualize, organize, and fulfill their mandate to govern. Often this model is referred to as Carver Governance, in recognition of the developer, Dr. John Carver. I am one of approximately 350 people world-wide to have been personally trained by Dr. Carver at the Policy Governance Academy®. Of those trained, only a few are consulting independently.

Board members say they like working with me because I understand the nuances of social sector governance. I help them feel good about what they are doing right and help them do more things right! Facilitation clients appreciate me because I can find the sweet spot between keeping the group moving through their agenda and helping the group produce meaningful results. Project management clients count on my organizational skills, creativity, and effective communication to produce the results they need while not draining their staffing capabilities. What difference can I make to your organization?

Every single minute of training and professional experience I have attained lends itself to what I do…and I love my job! Think about that. Would you really want to work with someone who felt differently?

Testimonials

Dear Stacy,  

Thank you for leading our board through the implementation of John Carver’s Policy Governance model over the past twelve months. You are clearly a highly skilled, fully committed professional-constantly teaching, guiding, and encouraging while remaining calm, and attentive.  It has been a joy working with you and I find you to be pleasantly professional. I would highly recommend your services to any organization or individual seeking consultation on board governance.

You have worked us hard and kept us on task, but as my Dad always said, “Nothing worthwhile comes easy.” Learning and implementing Policy Governance has certainly been worthwhile. You have moved our board from a well-meaning group of talented individuals to a cohesive, focused team, fully engaged in the guidance of our organization.

We look forward to working with you in the coming year as we continue to refine our governance skills.

Richard Cavender, Board Chair, Midwest Assistance Program, Inc.

“Stacy is one of the very best facilitators that I have worked with in over 30 years of participation in strategic planning. I say this from firsthand experience having been involved in numerous strategic planning sessions with successful companies and having attended several 2, 3 & 5 day seminars. Stacy did a great job of developing our strategic planning process to meet the needs of St Cloud Overhead Door. Her knowledge of organizations, process and business enabled us to have very productive sessions with clear strategies and action plans.”

Roger Barthelemy
St. Cloud Overhead Door Company

Although we have only scratched the surface of the Policy Governance model, it is clear to all members of NLI's board that if we are to do the great things we anticipate for the organization and the community,  we need something like this model to free our thinking. As for Stacy, the ease with which you worked with these hardcore community organizers to get them to see the potential not only of the model but for the organization/community as well is astounding.

Muqit Sabur
President of the Board
Neighborhood Leadership Institute
Cleveland, Ohio

Stacy Sjogren has helped (us) manage and lead small to large events and projects over the past four years.  Stacy's ability to think creatively, keep everything on task and organized, and wisely manage expenses has made Stacy an excellent project manager for us.  Stacy is a very bright and talented individual, project management is just one of her many areas of expertise.

Eric Nielsen
Operations Director
Abbott Northwestern’s Specialty Care Center
Sartell, Minnesota

“Consultant Stacy Sjogren helps us understand that quality Policy Governance is an integrated machine – ALL parts are critical to make it run.”

Alan Arthur, President/CEO, Aeon

“Stacy’s commitment to helping our board build WSI’s Policy Governance structure has been invaluable.  We could not have accomplished this without her knowledge, perseverance and dedication to getting it right. Given the politically charged climate our board was forced to operate in, Policy Governance provided us with a clear path to fulfill our obligations.  Even with dramatic changes in board make-up, executive staff, and the laws governing WSI’s operations, we were able to maintain stability and keep everyone working toward our all important ends.”

Mark Jackson, Chairperson
Workforce Safety and Insurance

"I have recently had the great fortune of working with Stacy Sjogren, Owner of Out of the Woods Consulting. Her work with our team has enabled a small diverse work group to navigate through a complex project in a very short timeframe. The project process has already been described on our campus as a model for future initiatives. This is largely due to Stacy's leadership and incredible work ethic. I would highly recommend Stacy Sjogren as an effective consultant who is a pleasure to work with, but also is extremely creative, efficient, and gets the job done!"

Corie Beckermann

Director of Student Health Services, St. Cloud State University

Client List

Out of the Woods Consulting is constantly working with new governance clients as well as clients requesting facilitation services and project management services. The following is a partial list of clients from various settings. I am happy to connect you with past clients for a personal reference.