Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Accomplishments
Timeline
Generic
Ava Stone

Ava Stone

Walnut Creek

Summary

An outcome-driven organizational effectiveness professional, passionate about leadership development, facilitation, and training delivery; with 10+ years of experience designing and delivering workshops that build leadership capabilities, optimize team dynamics, and drive strategic planning across federal, corporate, nonprofit, and higher education sectors. Applies DISC, Enneagram, and the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument to improve team effectiveness. Utilizes Appreciative Inquiry and Liberating Structures to foster collective problem-solving, elevate decision-making processes, and align learning solutions with business goals when leading operational improvement and strategic planning initiatives.

Overview

8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Organizational Ombuds

FDIC
Washington
11.2024 - Current
  • Identified key metrics used to measure the success of organizational effectiveness initiatives.
  • Gathered feedback from employees regarding current working conditions and proposed changes.
  • Developed training programs designed to enhance employees' skillsets related to their roles within the organization.
  • Facilitated meetings between staff members to discuss potential improvements in internal processes.
  • Drafted reports outlining findings from assessments conducted as well as recommendations for improvement.
  • Coached leaders on how to effectively lead their teams during times of transition or change.
  • Provided guidance on conflict resolution strategies when disagreements arise among co-workers.
  • Conducted needs analyses and cultural assessments to enhance organization-wide change.

Senior Facilitation Specialist

Guidehouse
Washington
02.2024 - 11.2024
  • Partnered with senior government officials to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment, identifying key leadership and operational gaps to inform customized training solutions.
  • Translated business and stakeholder needs into targeted development strategies, aligned with organizational goals and mission objectives.
  • Maintained accountability for project timelines, deliverables, and performance outcomes, ensuring alignment with FEMA’s strategic priorities and resilience-focused initiatives.
  • Applied adult learning principles to create interactive training modules, fostering practical skill-building in leadership communication, stakeholder engagement, and strategic conflict navigation for energy, sustainability, and community engagement consulting engagements.
  • Remained current with virtual facilitation best practices and adult learning principles to improve participant engagement in leadership strategic planning sessions, retrospectives, and team cohesion meetings.

Workplace Conflict Program Manager

Department of Interior
Washington
09.2020 - 02.2024
  • Led the design, delivery, and evaluation of over 30 virtual and in-person leadership development workshops annually, strengthening conflict resolution, communication, and strategic planning skills across a federal workforce of 70,000+ employees.
  • Remained current with industry-leading facilitation frameworks, including Liberating Structures, Appreciative Inquiry, and Design Thinking, to enhance collaborative problem-solving and strategic visioning sessions.
  • Applied assessments such as DISC, Enneagram, and the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI) to guide team dynamics discussions, improve conflict awareness, and foster effective communication across diverse groups.
  • Utilized assessment insights to inform customized intervention strategies, optimize team alignment, and drive constructive dialogue in high-stakes environments.
  • Facilitated multi-day leadership off-sites for senior leaders and cross-functional teams, focusing on team alignment, strategic visioning, and performance optimization.
  • Delivered targeted training experiences on Power Dynamics, Identity Conflict, and Restorative Practices to advance DEIA capacity-building initiatives and promote inclusive leadership across federal offices.
  • Conducted 1:1 coaching for leaders at all levels—including political appointees and regional managers—to address performance management, leadership effectiveness, and organizational challenges.
  • Partnered with HR leaders and department heads to identify capability gaps, assess organizational health, and align development strategies with mission objectives and strategic goals.
  • Facilitated tribal mediations, listening sessions, and input-gathering sessions, integrating stakeholder insights into programmatic improvements and policy recommendations.
  • Directed the end-to-end management of conflict resolution and leadership development programs, ensuring seamless execution, from curriculum design and logistical planning to participant tracking and post-session evaluations.

Community Engagement & Partnerships Coordinator

Arizona State University, ASU
Phoenixville
05.2019 - 09.2020
  • Designed and facilitated strategic partnerships between ASU, local nonprofits, and corporate sponsors, focusing on youth entrepreneurship and community development programs that drove sustainable impact across Phoenix communities.
  • Spearheaded the development of culturally adapted training modules for community-based organizations, enhancing local engagement, access to resources, and program longevity.
  • Brokered and managed a high-visibility partnership with a Major League Baseball team, executing mentorship programs for underserved youth that improved community outreach and expanded educational opportunities.

Program Assistant

FSG
Washington
12.2016 - 03.2018
  • Served as the subject-matter expert for Education & Youth, and Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, leading special projects, including a Microaggressions Awareness Campaign and global DEI strategy implementation.
  • Designed and delivered a culturally adapted DEI training program for consultants in the firm’s European office, enhancing cultural awareness and inclusivity in cross-border team interactions.
  • Selected to serve on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Council, contributing to strategic planning, policy recommendations, and community engagement initiatives.
  • Coordinated and executed social impact consulting projects within the Education and Youth sector, collaborating with corporate clients to develop sustainable community programs that align with CSR goals.

Education

Master of Science - Conflict Resolution

George Mason University
Fairfax, VA
12-2020

Bachelor of Arts - Political Science

Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA
08-2013

Skills

  • Curriculum Design & Delivery
  • Training Curriculum Design
  • Virtual & In-Person Facilitation (Zoom and MS Teams)
  • Executive Coaching & Performance Management
  • Organizational Change Management
  • End-to-End Project Management
  • Program Design & Implementation
  • Logistics Planning & Event Coordination
  • Process Improvement & Optimization
  • Partner & Client Relationship Management
  • DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) Advocacy & Training
  • DISC, Enneagram, and Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument
  • Performance Metrics & KPIs
  • Impact Reporting & Data Visualization
  • Salesforce & CRM Tools
  • Virtual Collaboration Tools

Certification

Certified Behavior Consultant (DISC), PeopleKeys, In Progress

Microaggressions for Facilitators, Mid-Atlantic Facilitators Network, April 2023

40-hour Equity Informed Mediation Training, Resolutions Northwest, Oct. 2021

Restorative Justice for Organizations, Resolutions Northwest, Oct. 2021

Ombuds Foundations Course, International Ombuds Association, Oct. 2022

Facilitating Dynamic Meetings Certification, Department of Interior, Sept. 2021

Certified Trainer for Getting to the Core of Conflict and Communication, Department of Interior -April 2021

40-hour Basic Mediation Training, Kennesaw State University - Oct. 2020

Accomplishments

Leadership Council, Association for Conflict Resolution, 2025

Indivdual STAR Award, Department of Interior, 2023

Indivdual STAR Award, Department of Interior, 2022

Indivdual STAR Award, Department of Interior, 2021

Timeline

Organizational Ombuds

FDIC
11.2024 - Current

Senior Facilitation Specialist

Guidehouse
02.2024 - 11.2024

Workplace Conflict Program Manager

Department of Interior
09.2020 - 02.2024

Community Engagement & Partnerships Coordinator

Arizona State University, ASU
05.2019 - 09.2020

Program Assistant

FSG
12.2016 - 03.2018

Master of Science - Conflict Resolution

George Mason University

Bachelor of Arts - Political Science

Virginia Commonwealth University

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE
Ava Stone