At Katie Ollmann Consulting, We offer specialized consulting, facilitation, and training services that help planners, municipalities, educators, and organizations create more inclusive, youth-engaged, and accessible communities. Whether you're looking to rethink engagement strategies, train your team on inclusive practices, or plan for public spaces that reflect the diverse needs and voices of all individuals—including those with disabilities—We are here to support you.

Youth Engagement Consulting

Design engagement strategies that center children and youth—ethically, creatively, and meaningfully.
We help organizations design, implement, and evaluate youth engagement processes that go beyond checkboxes. Together, we’ll co-create frameworks tailored to your goals, context, and community.

  • Services include:

    • Youth engagement strategy development

    • Inclusive engagement plans for government departments, municipalities, schools, organizations and NGOs

    • Project-based consulting (e.g. parks plans, land use, community design)

    • Evaluation of youth participation efforts

    Ideal for government departments,  municipal planning departments, non-profits, school boards, and organizations

Workshops & Training

Build your team’s confidence and capacity to engage young people in planning.
Our interactive workshops are grounded in research, real-world experience, and trauma-informed facilitation. They’re designed to be inspiring, hands-on, and immediately applicable.

  • Topics include:

    • Why youth engagement matters in planning and design

    • Tools and techniques for engaging children and youth

    • Ethical and trauma-informed approaches to participation

    • Creating psychologically safe and inclusive spaces for young voices

    Available virtually Nationally or in-person across Nova Scotia and Newfoundland

Accessibility Planning & Inclusive Design Workshops

Inclusive communities start with accessibility—and that means centering lived experience.

At Katie Ollmann Consulting, we offer accessibility-focused planning support and workshops that help communities, organizations, and planners go beyond compliance to create spaces and processes that truly work for everyone. Our approach is grounded in real-world experience, led in collaboration with a first-voice accessibility expert who brings powerful insight into the barriers—and solutions—that shape everyday life.

Whether you’re rethinking your public spaces, reviewing engagement strategies, or designing new programs, we help you embed accessibility from the ground up.

 

  • Services include:

    • Accessibility audits of plans, policies, and processes

    • Staff training and awareness-building workshops

    • Inclusive engagement strategies for people with disabilities

    • Support for government, municipal, organizational, and nonprofit accessibility planning

    Our workshops are practical, reflective, and focused on action—because inclusion isn’t just a value, it’s a practice.

Management Consulting: Turning Managers into Leaders

At Katie Ollmann Consulting, we believe that leadership isn’t about authority—it’s about impact, empathy, and vision. Strong, inclusive leadership is the foundation of healthy organizations and vibrant communities. Yet too often, managers are placed in leadership roles without the training or support they need to truly succeed.

We help organizations and teams transform managers into leaders who inspire, motivate, and drive meaningful change. Drawing on real-world experience and proven strategies, we work alongside organizations to:

  • Build leadership capacity rooted in empathy, inclusion, and community connection.

  • Develop accessible leadership practices that welcome diverse perspectives, including youth and individuals with disabilities.

  • Equip managers with the tools to foster resilient, empowered teams.

  • Navigate complex challenges through coaching, conflict resolution support, and inclusive strategy development.

We know firsthand the difference a great leader can make—and the cost when leadership is lacking. Through customized workshops, one-on-one coaching, and organizational consulting, we help you strengthen your leadership from the inside out, creating environments where everyone can thrive.

Let’s work together to cultivate the next generation of thoughtful, inspiring leaders.

Speaking & Keynotes

Katie Ollmann Consulting offers dynamic speaking engagements and keynote presentations that inspire and educate audiences on the importance of youth engagement, inclusive planning, and accessibility in building stronger, more resilient communities.

I draw on my extensive experience as a community planner, youth engagement specialist, and accessibility advocate to share insights on engaging young people and individuals with disabilities in the decision-making processes that shape their communities. My talks emphasize practical, real-world strategies for overcoming barriers, creating more inclusive spaces, and ensuring every voice is heard, especially those of children, youth, and marginalized communities.

Additionally, we have a first-voice accessibility expert available to provide deep, lived insights into the accessibility challenges people face daily. This ensures our sessions are rooted in authenticity and real-world experience, helping your team understand the real barriers to full participation and inclusion.

Whether addressing municipal planners, educators, nonprofit leaders, or community groups, our keynotes and workshops are designed to spark meaningful change and provide actionable steps toward more inclusive and equitable environments for all.

  • Signature talks include:

    • “Big Ideas from Small Voices: Why Young People Belong in Planning”

    • “Designing with, not for: The Future of Inclusive Communities”

    • “From Tokenism to Transformation: Elevating Youth in Civic Life”

    • "Accessibility as a Priority: Creating Inclusive Spaces for All"
    • "Bridging the Gap: Designing Inclusive and Collaborative Planning Processes"
    • "The Intersection of Youth Engagement & Accessibility: Building Communities for All"

    Perfect for conferences, panels, and leadership retreats

Workshops & Training

Build your team’s confidence and capacity to engage young people in planning.
My interactive workshops are grounded in research, real-world experience, and trauma-informed facilitation. They’re designed to be inspiring, hands-on, and immediately applicable.

  • Topics include:

    • Why youth engagement matters in planning and design

    • Tools and techniques for engaging children and youth

    • Ethical and trauma-informed approaches to participation

    • Creating psychologically safe and inclusive spaces for young voices

    Available virtually Nationally or in-person across Nova Scotia and Newfoundland

Project & Planning Support

Bring your inclusive planning project to life with tailored support.
Whether you're developing a community park, writing a public engagement strategy, or launching a pilot program, I offer flexible planning and facilitation support.

Examples include:

  • Youth-focused park planning and programming

  • Community engagement strategy development

  • Facilitating creative youth consultation processes

  • Reviewing policy through an inclusion lens

Grant Writing & Funding Support

At Katie Ollmann Consulting, we understand that innovative, inclusive community projects often need the right funding to become a reality. That’s why we offer grant writing and funding support services to help organizations, municipalities, and nonprofits access the resources they need to bring their ideas to life.

With a proven track record of success, we’ve helped clients secure competitive funding, including winning a Climate Change Challenge Fund grant that enabled the transition of the last three Provincial Parks in Newfoundland from diesel to solar-powered energy—a significant step forward in sustainable public space management.

Whether you're looking to fund youth engagement initiatives, accessibility planning, climate resilience projects, or inclusive public space improvements, we bring the experience, insight, and strategic approach needed to strengthen your proposals and increase your chance of success.

Let us help you turn your vision into a funded reality.