Workshop & Group Facilitation
Building trust quickly. Guiding conversations that matter.
I facilitate with an awareness of the nervous system and a deep commitment to cultural repair. I don’t just moderate meetings. I lead groups through thresholds, helping them find the signal in the noise and move from abstract ideas to collective action.
My Approach
Most facilitation focuses on getting through a list. My practice focuses on getting through the work.
Inclusive Space Holding: I recognise that people have different comfort levels and diverse ways of engaging. I shape the room so that every voice (whether loud or quiet) is welcomed and valued.
Intentional Listening: I listen for the heartbeat of the conversation, drawing out the most important ideas and turning them into meaningful insights.
Clear Direction: We don't just talk. We move toward a clear direction forward, ensuring your event goals are met while deepening the connections between your people.
Case study: Community Visioning for a Greener Future
Client: Good for the Gong (GftG)
Scope: 70+ participants, including sector experts, volunteers, and curious community members.
The Challenge
Good for the Gong was established in response to the intense offshore wind debate in the Illawarra. Moving into 2026, the collective needed to pivot from reaction to proactive action. With a diverse group of passionate stakeholders, from seasoned professionals to intrigued locals, the challenge was to craft a high-impact workshop that could hold tension while fostering hope.
The Experience
Working closely with the GftG team, we designed a 2.5-hour workshop on a Sunday afternoon.
Pre-Workshop Strategy: We launched a survey beforehand, ensuring that those unable to attend still had their voices woven into the room’s energy.
The Experts & The People: We balanced high-level insights from four sector experts with facilitated table conversations.
The Design: The runsheet was ambitious but flexible, prioritising community connection, psychological safety, and productive idea generation over a rigid agenda.
The Outcome
The workshop moved the community from a place of ‘pace and politics’ to a place of practical ownership.
The Signal: Participants moved past misinformation to explore new ownership models (like cooperatives) and local workforce opportunities.
Mapping the Future: We mapped every generated idea by ‘Impact vs. Effort,’ providing GftG with a clear, community-led mandate for their 2026 work.
Cultural Repair: By acknowledging concerns about corporate control and inequity, we created a space where people felt their moral commitments were heard, not ignored.
“Gretel brought an extraordinary level and care and skill to our community listening and visioning event.
Her expertise shaped the day in a way that was sensitive to the diverse ways in which people opt to engage; recognising different perspectives, needs, and comfort levels, and ensuring every voice felt welcomed, valued, and heard.
Gretel listens with intent and can draw out the most important ideas. Gretel built trust quickly, help the group with confidence, and guided conversations that led to meaningful insights. She’s an incredible speaker who leaves people wanting to keep listening and learning.
We wrapped up with our event goals met, a deepened connection with our volunteers and community and a clear direction forward. We’re grateful for the impact she made in our work and would welcome the chance to work with her again.”
How I Can Help Your Group
Community Listening & Visioning: I specialise in events where listening is the primary goal, ensuring that diverse perspectives (and varying comfort levels) are honoured.
Strategic Mapping: Moving from idea generation to a clear, actionable map based on community impact.
Complex Transition Facilitation: Navigating the hard stuff, like energy transitions, organisational shifts, or community divides, with a focus on fairness and facts.
Trauma-Informed Presence: Building trust quickly so the group can move into the deeper, more meaningful work without feeling overwhelmed.
Facilitation Inquiry Form
Let’s build a brave space together.
Please share a few details about your group and your vision. I’ll be in touch to schedule a call.