SHARED SUCCESS

We help our clients strengthen leadership to create lasting value

Our work helps leaders develop the skills, confidence, and perspective needed to guide organizations through complexity. We focus on practical tools that support learning, accountability, and results.

Marcy Li Wong Architects

I highly recommend LRI to anyone seeking help with organizational change management. LRI brought an invaluable combination of outstanding proactive management and superb quantitative analysis – all in a professional and timely manner. The extra bonus was that they were an exceptional pleasure to work with throughout the process.

– Marcy Li Wong, Ceo

Moving Forward Towards Independence

From the first moment we spoke, I was reassured of LRI’s commitment to our organization and to keeping our Board on a purposeful track.
– Deanna Gumina, Board President

National Geographic Society

What the world needs now is direct, clear, but humane communication. Neither strident voices nor tone-deaf listening will get us to better understanding. Straight Talk® tells us how to bring democratic and felicitous dialogue to what intrigues us most.

– Reg Murphy, President and CEO

PHH

We had a difficult challenge facing us in articulating a clear vision for PHH. LRI did a great job in getting input from all the participants while at the same time keeping us on track. We accomplished the goal of agreeing on a future direction. I don’t think we would have gotten there without LRI’s help. Thanks again for your facilitation and leadership.

– George Kilroy, CEO

Retinal Consultants

The elite team at LRI has developed clear and effective tools to tackle even the most onerous management problems. Their uncanny ability to sharpen focus and facilitate communication has been a great asset to our company.


– Joel Pearlman, Managing Partner

Sacramento Ballet

LRI is outstanding! Eric Douglas led the Sacramento Ballet through a challenging project of developing its first-ever comprehensive written strategic plan at a critical junction in the history of the organization. Eric’s leadership skills were superb as he worked to enlist the support of all stakeholders and facilitated discussions that allowed the organization to put into words its hopes and dreams for the next several years, while helping the project team remain focused on keeping the objectives realistic, achievable and measurable. I highly recommend LRI without any reservation.

– Robert Slater, Jr., President, Board of Directors

University of California Press

LRI helped us experience a real change in the way that we do planning and resolve problems. It made it possible for us to say exactly what we wanted to say, and for others to hear exactly what we said. Looking back, I wonder why we didn’t do this before.

– James H Clark, Director and Publisher

WETA

I would encourage any CEO to go through this process with LRI. In a very short time, we were able to clarify our expectations and unify the staff around common goals. Now, we have consensus about the next steps we need to take and performance metrics that will let us know when we reach our goals. We’ve really moved forward as an organization.

– Sharon Rockefeller, CEO

KQED

The process that LRI took us through was remarkable in several ways. First, you gave us a road map and directed us through a very complicated situation. The end result was a detailed, but easily comprehended, set of guidelines to inform our decision making. What was particularly impressive, given the complexity of the task, was your ability to keep us on schedule and operate within budget. I looked back at my notes today and the process took 10 weeks from start to finish.

– John Boland, Executive VP and COO

HSBC Bank

Eric Douglas has accomplished what many in his profession have not: he’s mastered the ability to under-engineer the highly complex organizational change process. By simplifying the process and employing an intimate and open approach, he’s earned the trust and respect of our entire executive team. His success in identifying, distilling, and simplifying issues allows him to provide our team with a sophisticated, yet pragmatic array of easy-to-access tools that are tailored to our needs and that we’re able to put to work right away.

– Pat Wilkinson, Senior VP of Human Resources

HSBC Bank

For the past 18 months, LRI has helped our executive team, including our chairman, build and enhance its communication skills, gain agreements around key strategic questions, and pull away at the fabric surrounding various internal conflicts and resolve them in constructive ways.

– Pat Wilkinson, Senior VP of Human Resources

HLA Group

For the past 18 months, LRI has helped our executive team, including our chairman, build and enhance its communication skills, gain agreements around key strategic questions, and pull away at the fabric surrounding various internal conflicts and resolve them in constructive ways.

– John Nicolaus, Principal Architect

Hanover Insurance Companies

The single most potent tool for achieving high levels of organizational learning is better conversation. Straight Talk ® is a clear map to richer conversation about important subjects.

– William O’Brien, President

Escape Technology

During the summer of 2015 we began a strategic planning process with LRI. This was our first attempt at an encompassing five-year plan. I was amazed by how quickly the consultants at LRI assimilated our culture, processes, and critical priorities. They expertly pushed us through the conversations we needed to have – some of them not easy. I’m happy to report we are extremely pleased with the result. We completed the project on time – and on budget. I highly recommend LRI for future engagements.

– Bob Towery, CEO

Early Edge California

The counsel I received from LRI on communication and change management allowed me to successfully lead my organization through critical decision points. My coach helped me ask the right questions and assess whether my organizational capacities matched those required to drive our desired strategies.

– Deborah Kong, President

Early Edge California

I would highly recommend LRI’s executive coaching. My coach’s knowledge and experience were invaluable to me during a critical period of organizational change. The guidance was invaluable as I made strategic decisions that took into account the fluid landscape, windows of opportunity and greater connection and collaboration with other groups.

– Deborah Kong, President

California State Employees Association

LRI’s calm, yet firm leadership allowed everyone to be free in expressing their concerns. Their advice and guidance yielded unexpected strategic benefits.

– Frank Guilelmino, General Manager

California State Board of Equalization

We used LRI to assist our agency with an employee assessment survey this summer. LRI was very accommodating and easy to work with. BOE is very happy to be a client and will use LRI’s expertise again.

– Lou Bender, Manager

Bickmore Risk Services

Leading Resources was instrumental in leading us through challenging strategic decisions. Our consultant was masterful in balancing his role as facilitator and corporate advisor. I would recommend LRI to anyone.

– John Chaquica, CEO

America’s Public Television Stations

Based on their work with public broadcasting CEOs, LRI’s expertise is a must for any organization that wants and needs to resolve tough issues.

– David Brugger, President

California School Employees Association

LRI’s coaching for one of our managers was a resounding success. There’s been marked progress in her collaborative approach, more profound insight into her role as a supervisor, and an enhanced level of commitment. LRI’s coach was a harmonious match for our organization. Her approach to coaching, her techniques, and general demeanor aligned seamlessly with our organizational culture.”

– Keith Pace

Client Experiences

Leadership Development Strategic Planning Board Development Organizational Development & Process Improvement
01

California’s Department of Health Care Services

LRI developed and implemented an in-depth leadership academy, designed to improve the capacity of managers to meet the increasingly challenging task of effectively and efficiently administering the Medi-Cal program. To date, nearly 300 participants have graduated from DHCS Academy.

02

California’s Department of Managed Health Care

 LRI developed and implemented a custom-designed, comprehensive leadership program for managers, supervisors and key staff. The purpose of DMHC Academy is to increase the capacity of participants to implement critical policies and decisions related to managed care, taking into account DMHC’s legal framework, market influences, and emerging issues in managed health care.

03

Covered California

LRI developed a custom-designed leadership program intended to deepen the capacity of managers to successfully manage and lead the organization. Covered California Academy is designed to develop leaders who are well-prepared to achieve the mission, vision, values and strategic goals of Covered California and navigate the organization through the complex changes and challenges facing state health benefit exchanges.

04

California’s Victim Compensation Board

LRI developed leadership skills in four specific areas: 1) building trust; 2) working with different communication styles; 3) building effective teams; and 4) holding people accountable. Forty managers were divided into four “pods.” Each pod went through the workshops together, enabling them to build stronger cross-functional relationships while practicing and building these leadership competencies.

05

Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA)

LRI public sector consultants worked with the Board of Directors (composed of city and county elected officials) and executive team to develop and implement plans to strengthen the agency’s leadership. This included conducting a situation assessment, presenting recommendations to the Board, and facilitating agreements on expanding the composition of the leadership team and making other organizational improvements.

01

California’s Office of Emergency Services and the Victim Compensation Board

LRI facilitated a joint strategic planning process to identify ways that the agencies responsible for assisting victims of crime can better coordinate their efforts and make sure victims are able to access services. Working with a steering committee composed of leaders from the two agencies, we developed a strategic plan and segued into developing an implementation plan.

02

California’s Department of Managed Health Care

LRI facilitated the development of its strategic plan. This included interviews with key stakeholders, focus groups and an online survey, and facilitating the work of a planning team composed of the executive director and deputies. The resulting product was a strategic plan with mission, core values, goals, objectives, and strategies. LRI also facilitated the development of an implementation plan, including year one priorities and action plans.

03

California State Auditor

LRI facilitated the work of a planning committee to develop a three-year strategic plan for the organization. The planning process was designed to assure strong levels of engagement and communication across the organization – and included representatives from all levels and units of the organization.

04

California Department of Education, California Schools for the Deaf, and in partnership with SEIU Local 1000

LRI facilitated the work of a planning team to develop goals, objectives and action priorities to further improve the education of deaf and hard of hearing children.

05

Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz)

LRI facilitated a strategic planning process to articulate and align priorities, desired results, and performance metrics for all units and affiliated programs within the organization. The LRI team also facilitated units’ development of action plans that delineated the key actions, leads, and timeframes for achieving each desired result.

06

For the University of Southern California,

LRI facilitated the development of a strategic plan for its Division of Occupational Therapy and Occupational Science. LRI facilitated meetings of its management team, facilitated analyses of various funding sources and scenarios, analyzed the benefits of various strategic alternatives, and helped the team finalize its strategic plan. LRI then facilitated the implementation of several key initiatives in the plan.

06

WellSpace Health, a federally qualified health care center (FQHC)

LRI facilitated the development of six strategic focus areas. Once those were adopted by the Board, LRI worked with the CEO and executive team to refine those focus areas into measures of success and action steps for implementation.

07

Sacramento Tree Foundation

LRI is currently facilitating the development of its strategic plan. This plan will include STF’s revised mission, vision, and core values as well as goals and strategies for the next three years.

07

California’s Autism Advisory Task Force

LRI public sector consultants facilitated a year-long process with 18 task force members to develop comprehensive policy recommendations for the behavioral health care of individuals with autism. Taskforce members represented the interests of advocates, health plans, the state government, and practitioners. LRI facilitated the drafting of a comprehensive framework of goals and policies – and used a combination of in-person meetings and an online survey and feedback system to develop consensus on more than 50 policy recommendations that were forwarded to the Administration and Legislature.

01

Omaha Public Power District

LRI facilitated the development of a new governance framework and system for its elected Board of Directors. The resulting set of governing policies helped build tighter levels of alignment across the organization – and greater clarity of the respective decision-making authority of the Board and the CEO and executive team.

02

California Alliance for Arts Education

LRI worked with the Board of Directors to define a new governance structure. As part of that process, LRI facilitated discussions about strategies to build stronger coalition partnerships. This resulted in the implementation of a new governance structure that featured a Policy Council representing 40 coalition partners. LRI’s work included facilitating specific decisions about the roles and responsibilities of Board members, the Policy Council, and the executive director.

03

California State Retirees,

LRI facilitated two workshops to engage board members in a discussion of best practices of effective boards. This resulted in the adoption of five core principles of board governance. Subsequently, LRI facilitated the Board’s development of new roles and responsibilities for directors, staff, committee chairs, and local chapter leaders.

04

For the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC),

LRI public sector consultants worked with the five-member commission and the senior management team to implement a new system of governance for the organization, focusing on clarity of roles and accountability, and an integrated set of strategic directives, detailing the results that the CPUC wants to achieve in areas such as safety, consumer protection, and climate change.

01

Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD)

LRI facilitated the monitoring of its governance framework and governance policies for its Board of Directors. As a result, SMUD realized measurable gains in alignment and performance throughout the organization.

02

California Air Resources Board

LRI is currently facilitating the development of performance measures and a performance dashboard.

03

California’s Department of Managed Health Care

LRI facilitated the development of performance metrics for each office – as well as a process for monitoring and measuring the successful implementation of its strategic initiatives.

04

California’s Department of Managed Health Care

LRI provided facilitation and consulting services in core process improvement. LRI initially worked with DMHC’s senior leaders to design an overall framework for process improvement as a foundation for facilitating business process redesign efforts for various branches of the Department.