We are a consulting firm dedicated to helping mission-driven organizations engage communities, align stakeholders, and lead effectively through change.
Our work supports nonprofits, public agencies, community organizations and corporations that are shaping the future of transportation, infrastructure, environmental systems, neighborhoods and more.
Founder + Lead Consultant
Amy’s approach to community engagement was shaped in the early 1990s while studying community organizing in Namibia and South Africa in the wake of apartheid. That experience continues to inform her belief that lasting change happens when communities are actively involved in the decisions that affect their lives.
Amy founded Willow Consulting in 2013 with a mission to support local nonprofits during periods of transition, foster stronger connections between government agencies and the communities they serve, and strengthen neighborhood organizations in Minneapolis. She has dedicated her career to ensuring that community voices are heard and reflected in community plans.
Willow Consulting supports transportation projects, nonprofit and public sector leaders, and overall operations at several organizations across the Twin Cities. Amy led community engagement efforts on projects like Lyndale Avenue reconstruction, 35W@94: Downtown to Crosstown, I-94 Minneapolis, and Stone Arch Bridge rehabilitation. Previously, she served as the executive director of the Corcoran Neighborhood Organization for 11 years.
Amy’s over 25 years of experience working with nonprofits, community-based organizations, and government partners sets her apart as a skilled facilitator and trusted partner, adept at helping groups large and small navigate difficult discussions and coalesce around a shared vision.
Education And Training
Bachelor of Arts, Augsburg University
Master of Public Affairs with a concentration in Civic Engagement, University of Minnesota, Humphrey School of Public Affairs
Awards
2006 recipient of Thomas Swain Fellowship for Leadership
2008 recipient of the Gross Family Leadership Award for Best Paper
2022 American Council of Engineering Companies of Minnesota Honor Award for 35W@94: Downtown to Crosstown Strategic Engagement
A Few Things About Me
What I Value
Consultant + Coach
Emily’s path spans corporate leadership, entrepreneurship, and public service. From managing multimillion-dollar portfolios at Target Corporation, to building her own successful business, to serving two terms on the Minneapolis City Council, one thing has remained constant: She is passionate about helping people and centering their voices.
Emily works with nonprofits, government agencies, and businesses to navigate complexity, engage communities, and turn big ideas into real, measurable outcomes.
Her approach is grounded and practical: Build trust. Listen deeply. Communicate clearly. Whether she’s leading public conversations, advising on high-stakes decisions, or aligning teams across sectors, Emily brings a steady, thoughtful presence to the work.
With more than 20 years of experience across sectors, Emily has led through high-stakes decisions, guided major initiatives, and built strong partnerships that keep people and community at the center.
She is also a certified coach who is passionate about helping individuals and teams navigate change, align their work with their values, and step into what is next with intention.
Education And Training
Bachelor of Arts in Marketing Management, University of St. Thomas
International Coaching Federation Certified Program, Learning Journeys
Leadership And Volunteerism
A Few Things About Me
What I Value
Our approach goes beyond strategy.
We work alongside you in the community, listening, engaging, and moving ideas into action. Whether that means facilitating conversations, knocking on doors, or rolling up our sleeves to handle what needs to get done, we help carry projects from start to finish.
We’re as comfortable in a community meeting as we are in a leadership briefing. One moment we’re tackling on-the-ground details; the next, we’re advising decision-makers. That range is what allows us to connect vision with real-world progress.
We bring a collaborative, hands-on approach to every engagement. We meet people and organizations where they are, design processes that reflect their realities, and keep work moving in ways that are practical, inclusive, and built to last.
Our Role