Suzanne Donaldson, CEO founded Donaldson Consulting, LLC, a Native American-owned research and consulting firm, in 2002. Certified as an M/WBE in 12 states, Suzanne has over 23 years of experience in facilitation, community engagement, and project management, in addition to familiarity with the Pacific Northwest’s social landscape.
Suzanne bridges gaps among communities, facilitating effective communication and collaboration. As a Tribal/cultural facilitator, she builds meaningful connections and partnerships by fostering mutual understanding and appreciation. Through her passion for preserving and celebrating cultural heritage, she strives to create spaces where dialogue flourishes and relationships are enriched.
In providing comprehensive qualitative research services, Suzanne untangles the threads of inequality and offers valuable insights into various aspects of disparity of opportunities for historically excluded companies and individuals. Whether conducting in-depth interviews, focus groups, or content analysis, she delivers rich findings that contribute to a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by diverse populations. She advocates for equitable policies that foster a more inclusive and just society.
She advises her public and private clients on Tribal/cultural facilitation; efficient project management; how to use underutilized firms; agency contracting compliance; and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
She also has extensive experience performing program assessment and development, community engagement, and labor disparity and equity studies.
With outstanding organizational, implementation, and facilitation skills, Suzanne provides essential assistance to project managers in organizing details, documenting processes, and communicating status updates for major programs and projects.
Bringing outstanding relationships she has developed and cultivated with community-based organizations and M/W/DBE firms for over two decades, Suzanne conveys these benefits to her clients through her project work.
Suzanne has helped public and private clients achieve their M/W/DBE participation goals, broaden their diversity and outreach programs, and provide meaningful roles for historically marginalized individuals and firms on projects worth over several billion dollars.
As a proud member of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, Suzanne has gone through the certification process to become certified as a M/WBE in 12 states (DBE decertification pending). She uses the knowledge and expertise she’s gained to help other firms expand their capacity and improve their service levels. She builds productive, authentic relationships to work toward a more inclusive community with opportunities for all.
Community Involvement (past or present):
- Indigenous land acknowledgments and cultural blessings
- Small business mentor
- Port of Portland Mentor-Protégé Program Mentor
- Soldier’s Best Friend Volunteer
- Phoenix Indian Center
- Clark County Sheriff’s Santa’s Posse
- Vancouver Public School Equity Advisory Board
- Evergreen Public School District: Native American Affinity Group Co-Facilitator
- Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians
- National Indian Gaming Association Alternate
- Cowlitz Indian Tribe