About

Lynn is an accomplished consultant with many decades of experience working with individuals and teams in diverse nonprofit, foundation, educational, and civic sectors.

Before founding her consulting practice, and with an M.A. in clinical psychology, Lynn directed a community mental health program and maintained a private practice.

At UCLA’s Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, she held a faculty position and served as a trainer and consultant on HIV/AIDS and mental health, including legal and ethical issues. Lynn also worked as a volunteer organization development trainer for United Way’s Kellogg Training Center.

Firsthand Experience Building and Leading A Sustainable Nonprofit

Among other, notable accomplishments, as the Founding Executive Director of Venice Arts, Lynn:

  • designed its award-winning Media Arts Education and Mentoring programs for under-resourced youth;

  • established its Center for Creative Workforce Equity for talented, low-income young adults;

  • developed and led consulting services for local and global organizations interested in the power of creativity and participatory storytelling practices; and,

  • was appointed a Fellow and Visiting Scholar at the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School, co-founding its Institute for Photographic Empowerment and co-establishing its Minor in the field.

A Sought-After Speaker

Lynn has been an invited speaker at the Aspen Institute, Colorado College, Stanford University, UCLA, and USC, among others, presenting on topics such as visual communication and social change, arts equity, and creative youth development.

Awards and Recognitions

Lynn has received numerous recognitions including from political leaders, the National Guild for Community Arts Education, and the LA County Arts Commission. She was a selected Fellow in Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business Nonprofit Leaders: Arts program.

A Lifelong Interest In Creativity

Lynn has a lifelong interest in photography, literature, and writing. She taught photography at the Los Angeles Women’s Building, where she first began to develop her ideas about the transformative potential of creative self-expression and storytelling and their link to well-being. Lynn maintains a personal writing practice.

L-R: With Caroline Liou during a consultancy with the Center for People and Forests, Bangkok, Thailand; at the United Nations, NYC, exhibition of The House Is Small, a participatory photo project with HIV-impacted South African women and Mozambican kids; speaking in Los Angeles, CA about storytelling and public health at Picturing Health, a project designed for the California Endowment in 8 Southern and Central California comunities.

  • I’ve had the privilege of working with Lynn for several years on a variety of engagements and have always been impressed with her skills as a facilitator, ability to manage groups with diverse opinions and find consensus, and her kind and empathetic approach to the work. It’s difficult to find consultants who understand the nonprofit sector the way Lynn does from her perspective and experience as a staff member, board member and executive leader.

    John Maceri, CEO, The People Concern

  • Lynn’s combined expertise in media education and organizational design has been invaluable to Working Assumptions. Her guidance strikes a perfect balance between creativity and structure. She's a great listener who fosters collaboration, helps people hone their ideas, and ensures every voice is heard and valued.

    Jane Gottesman, Founding Director, The Working Assumptions Foundation

  • I had the privilege of working with Lynn over the span of two decades on a range of organizational projects and transitions; Lynn’s support was a godsend every time. With calm, clarity, and heart, Lynn helps reveal underlying issues, illuminating an actionable path forward aligned with immediate needs and long-term goals.

    Cathy Salser, Founder, Strategic Vision & Partnership Advisor, A Window Between Worlds