Consulting Experience
Paul Downs has more than 15 years of experience helping public sector agencies and other mission-driven organizations achieve success. Paul works with clients to envision a clear and compelling future, engage stakeholders to solve problems, execute systematically, and sustain organizational success over time.

Paul brings a unique ability to bring people together to solve complex public sector challenges. His specialty is achieving technically sound solutions that have the support of diverse stakeholders. His goal is to strengthen relationships and processes so that clients not only solve immediate problems but build sustainable capacity. Paul conducts his work with a collaborative approach, critical thinking, and a sense of humor.

He has had extensive experience in working with California educational institutions. Paul’s structured yet collaborative facilitation and process designs are a good fit for complex educational organizations. Paul has delivered successful projects for community colleges, adult education and early care and education. He has also consulted in the areas of environmental policy, transportation, land use, workforce development, and community visioning.

Background and Education
Since 2008, Paul has run his own strategic planning and facilitation firm, assisting over 10 clients in strategic planning, community engagement, internal process improvement, partnership development, and organizational development. Clients include the California Department of Education, Santa Clara County Office of Education, Peralta Community College District, the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, and the City of Oakland. Previously, Paul was a senior project manager for 13 years at a 100-person consulting firm specializing in developing collaborative solutions for public agencies and communities.

Paul has a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of California, Berkeley. He began his career with MDRC conducting evaluation research on workforce development programs. Paul has a master’s degree in public policy from Princeton University, where he focused on domestic, energy and environmental policy. After receiving his graduate degree, he worked for a congressional subcommittee to pass national renewable energy legislation.

Paul lives in Berkeley, California, where he enjoys road cycling, hiking and the Bay Area’s many cultural and natural offerings.

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