"The Unkels start by learning and experiencing the organization. In leading our strategic planning, they introduced us to new processes, tools and perspectives. They effectively guided our diverse group through difficult, challenging discussions to reach strong consensus. As a result, Board and staff own the plan. Strategic planning was just the beginning of a great relationship; the Unkels' holistic approach provides a continuum of services to ensure successful plan implementation. Support in business plan, marketing plan, and Board development were a part of their total package! Now we have a road map to a great organizational future and the momentum to make it happen!"
Deborah Blanks, CEO, Social Development Commission Inc. (SDC)

"Mary helped us through a process for determining measurable outcomes for our strategic and operational plans. Her feedback was always meticulously presented, clear, and supportive of staff as she worked to merge the documents into a simple, manageable, action plan that had cross organizational buy-in. She often surprised, entertained, and educated us with her creative translations of otherwise difficult to assimilate information."
Christine Harris, President, United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF)

"In mid-2006, we contracted with Bob Unkel to serve as our Interim Executive Director. Bob brought fresh eyes and a confident, candid look at all aspects of our organization. He quickly developed a respectful rapport with our staff, board and local volunteers that brought stability at a troubled time for us. His combination of skills, drawn from the business and non-profit communities, provided us with valuable insight and direction as we set our sights on hiring a new ED. As a result of working with Bob, we were able to draft a position specification for a new Executive Director that will greatly benefit our organization in the years to come. His final project was developing a thoughtful, accurate and attainable budget for the next year."
Mike Wollmer, Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer, Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation

"Mary's overall performance in providing consultation to the Planning Council was excellent - a '4' on a four point scale. She was both patient and persistent, adequately sympathetic and encouraging."
Katie Pritchard, Executive Director, Planning Council for Health and Human Services, Inc.

"Thank you so much for all of your work with Wild Space. I can't remember when I have heard a more inspiring presentation. There was a surge of energy and renewed enthusiasm on behalf of the board for the company, and the recommendations you offered were thoughtful, pertinent to our situation and most creative. I look forward to studying all of your research and recommendations. Your work is a great gift to the company at a critical time in our development. Thank you so very much!"
Debra Loewen, Artistic Director, Wild Space, Inc.

"Unkel Management & Marketing Solutions offers breadth and depth of experience -- both in private business and in the nonprofit sector."
Rachel Schneider, Board President, Historic Milwaukee, Inc.

"As President of the Board of Directors for Access to Independence, I have had the privilege of working closely with Bob over the past year. When Bob came to our agency as our Interim Director, we had several internal difficulties that were pressing issues for our agency. Upon arrival, Bob conducted a needs assessment, identified problems and potential solutions, and initiated efficient and effective processes to ameliorate the problems and enhance ATI's capacity to provide optimal services for persons with disabilities. In doing so, Bob consistently engaged the support of ATI staff and Board of Directors ethically and effectively. He demonstrates an uncanny capacity to assist those working with him to function as a team and to attain their goals. Bob was always easy to work with, demonstrated a true understanding of private, not-for-profit agencies and Independent Living philosophy, and, upon our recent hire of a permanent Executive Director, he has left ATI a stronger agency because of his leadership and vision."
David Rosenthal, Board President, Access to Independence, Inc.

"Mary's keen understanding and appreciation of nonprofit management and governance was critical to the success of our Board governance and strategic planning projects. Able to navigate and drive large scale meetings, Mary's detailed notes and analysis were always spot-on. The benefits, both financial and organizational, have been worth more than we ever expected. We look forward to finding more projects to work on together!"
Jennifer Samuelson, Bel Canto Chorus, Inc.

"Your work was extemely comprehensive and far in excess of anything we had expected. Thank you."
Harry Drake, Immediate Past President, Literacy Services of Wisconsin, Inc.

"Mary was thorough, thought-filled, listened, and was organized, with an excellent perspective about our needs and ways to move the organization forward."
Martha Rasmus, President/CEO, Mental Health America of Wisconsin, Inc.

"Mary and Bob deliver quality work no matter what amount of time it takes. They are exceedingly patient in working with a diverse group of volunteers. UMMS did an excellent job of developing consensus among a wide group of stakeholders."
Amy Ambrose, Executive Director, Milwaukee Aging Consortium

"Mary was outstanding -- she quickly gained the trust and respect of the Board and Staff. Demonstrating a real willingness to get to know and understand the organization – its history, its mission, its strengths and weaknesses, its dreams, the personnel and personalities, etc., Mary then brought all of that knowledge to bear as she worked with us, to help us help ourselves, and to make recommendations. Mary was not afraid to think outside the box (and to encourage us to think outside the box) when it made sense. She truly helped to energize the Board and her work will make a significant difference for some time to come."
Sally Hoyt, Board President, Bel Canto Chorus, Inc.

"The evaluation and strategic planning work you did with the organization on whose Board I have served for the past three years, provided a terrific format for progress. The agency is now financially stable with a solid reputation in the community."
Lee Schulz, Executive Director, IndependenceFirst

"I was recently hired as the Executive Director of the National Council on Independent Living, an association of independent living centers throughout the country. At the time, NCIL had a number of serious internal problems and had been without staff leadership for almost six months. The NCIL Board hired Bob Unkel to identify internal problems, recommend solutions, and assess the internal business and financial procedures of the organization. I found Bob to be an invaluable and insightful consultant, so much so that we soon renewed his contract to usher us through a strategic planning process. Eight months later we have corrected internal financial management procedures, have initiated a resource development strategy, have significantly improved our financial security and value to our members, and are implementing clearly defined goals and objectives."
John A. Lancaster, Executive Director, National Council on Independent Living

"Thank you for all of your expertise, patience, and persistence. In the end, the MCO has realized tangible benefits in the operations of its Board of Directors. One Board member said, 'I felt that, with Mary's guidance, the MCO board has achieved needed focus, enthusiasm and direction. She helped us get better organized and identified priorities and challenges ahead.'."
Sarah Schwab, Executive Director, Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra, Inc.

"Bob and Mary are a great team! They bring complementary strengths to the table that address the whole picture of the project. There were times that it became clear we needed to change direction. The Unkels didn't flinch; they always saw the goal and could switch gears to accomplish the objective. I attribute their flexibility to their very thorough preparation. Bob and Mary worked hard to fully understand our organization. They patiently helped us all see our strengths and weaknesses. The time they took to understand our organization truly represents the commitment and loyalty that they give to each organization that they work with."
Susan Slocum, Executive Director, The Park People

"There are many good things one can say about the work that the Unkels did for us - how thorough and yet unobtrusive they were, their ability to work around our sometimes variable scheduling, and how supportive we found them in addressing our challenges. But in the end, I think we were most impressed with the way Mary Unkel was able to modify her own process to help us begin meeting our most pressing issue even as the diagnostic was on-going. This versatility enabled us to be in a better place to receive the final results."
David M. Shields, SJ, Executive Director, Casa Romero Renewal Center, Inc.

"Unkel Management & Marketing Solutions did more than help us chart our future, they gave us realistic plans and tools to reach our potential. Bob and Mary offered us open minds, a wealth of management experience and a remarkable understanding of nonprofits. These attributes, combined with their exhaustive efforts, produced exactly what our organization needed."
James Temmer, Executive Director, Charles Allis/Villa Terrace Art Museums

"Mary was always prepared, out ahead of the group, and continually leading us forward in a way that was not pushy, but was clear."
Rick Flood, Executive Director, Riveredge Nature Center, Inc.

"Thank you so much for your professionalism, your tactful approach to difficult subjects, and your sound advice."
Linda Donahue, Executive Director, Waukesha Symphony Orchestra, Inc.

"Unkel Management & Marketing Solutions proved to be invaluable in teaching, mentoring, and coaching Board directors. They were very knowledgeable, professional, and hard-working."
Thomas Fisher, Ph.D., Board President, Supportive Community Services, Inc.

"Mary was easily accessible,hard working, followed through on all aspects and very knowledgeable. Further, she has strong diagnostic skills to determine the needs of members and how to communicate with people."
Sheri Bestor, President, North Shore Academy of the Arts, Inc.

"The Unkels’ assistance in educating us regarding best practices for nonprofit governance was priceless! Mary and Bob have helped us build on our strengths as well as identify gaps in our collective job and life experiences. With their guidance, we have been able to implement a more functional infrastructure. They have done a great job developing us as a team."
Pamela S. Doolittle, Ph.D., Board President, Wisconsin Science and Education Foundation

"The diagnostic assessment process shines a light on things that have a big impact on the organization. Mary is skilled at addressing sensitive topics directly, but with diplomacy."
Barbara Felix, Executive Director, Literacy Services of Wisconsin, Inc.

"Mary was very detailed in her work, sensitive to the Hmong culture, attentive to the issues at hand, and truly sincere in her efforts to strengthen our Board."
Gwat-Yong Lie, Ph.D., Board President, Hmong American Women's Association