Shining Bright at the 2024 CWDA Conference
Highlands Consulting is providing strategic communication services on the CWS-CARES project. CWS-CARES stands for Child Welfare Services – California Automated Response and Engagement System. It replaces the existing statewide 30+ year old California Child Welfare Services/Case Management System (CWS/CMS) with a Comprehensive Child Welfare Information…
Read MoreTransforming Statewide Transit
The California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) has embarked on an ambitious project to transform transit in California. The Transit Transformation Task Force (TTTF) will develop policy recommendations to grow transit ridership, improve the transit experience, and address long-term operational needs. This effort is guided by…
Read MoreHow to Succeed in Ambiguous Consulting Situations
Ambiguity is a common challenge in the consulting world, as our clients’ needs are ever-changing and often unpredictable. Ambiguity can arise from unclear goals, conflicting expectations, incomplete information, and/or vague outcomes. How do we cope with ambiguity? One way to succeed in ambiguous situations is…
Read MoreGenAI for Change Leaders
In the past year, I’ve been learning and talking a lot with other Change Leaders and Project Managers about Generative Artificial Intelligence, or GenAI. This is an exciting time for people who lead changes in their organizations, because GenAI can help them perform better in…
Read MoreLeveraging Pandemic Investments
California invested significantly in new or improved IT systems in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These initiatives, such as deploying a statewide contact tracing platform and systems for vaccine distribution and appointment scheduling, met critical needs that existed long before the pandemic. With the worst…
Read MorePlaying a Part in “Rebuilding California”
It has been almost two years since the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) was signed. This landmark law includes federal policy direction and funding for climate action, zero-emissions vehicle deployment, social equity, and multi-modal transportation investments – all critical initiatives for our State. Highlands…
Read MoreCreativity and Collaboration: How Improv Transforms Business
Improv, short for improvisation, is an art form that involves creating spontaneous performances without a script or predetermined plan. At first glance, it may seem unrelated to the business world, but I recently realized its profound impact on my professional growth. Here are three ways…
Read MoreA Rose by Any Other Name…
“A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” – William Shakespeare It’s that time of year when I check-in on all those resolutions, transformations, and brave goals that I set to achieve in the New Year. As a Change Consultant, I have a…
Read MoreMeaningful Peer Exchange and Collaboration
As a public sector consultant, I have the privilege to help design and implement projects that are shaping California’s future. One of the ways I do this is through meeting facilitation. Regardless of the discussion topic, my priority is to guide my client towards a…
Read MoreHappy Lunar New Year!
As part of a State IT project with over 1200 team members, I’m pleased to be co-chair of our team’s Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Employee Resource Group (ERG). I have developed multiple communications, teambuilding activities, and events to foster awareness of the AAPI community.…
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