EUConsult Information Service
2006 January
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Member Profiles
Marilyn Wyatt
Name: MARILYN WYATT
Position: Independent Consultant
Company: DR MARILYN WYATT
e-mail: wyattm(at)earthlink.net
FACT FILE | |
Main business areas: NGO Governance and board development | Date business started: 2003 |
Number of consultancy staff: 1 | Countries of operation: Central and Eastern Europe; Western Europe; Central and South Asia; United States |
THE BUSINESS
What range of clients do you serve?
I work with a wide range of organisations, from large international NGOs to small grass roots organisations. My clients are often foundations and other organisations supporting NGO infrastructure development; they typically ask me to work with their grantees. Other clients include umbrella groups and individual organisations.
How has your business evolved since it was started?
I began working with a single foundation that wanted to provide governance services to its grantees. I'm now engaged with a broad base of clients seeking varied coaching and consultancy services. Since I've worked in so many countries and regions, I'm known for being able to tailor my services to the local environment (especially new or developing nonprofit sectors) and the special needs of start-up organizations.
Where will your consultancy be in a few years time?
I'd like to extend my geographic reach to Asia and the Middle East. Obviously—since I don't want to spend my life on a plane—this would entail cooperating with other consultants in the field. I'd like to work more with international schools, since my experience as the chair of two international school boards has given me a unique and valuable perspective. Finally, I'd like to find more time to develop new materials. There's a real shortage of stimulating materials on governance for board members and heads of staff.
Which opportunities and threats do you see for your work in the sector and for the development of NPOs?
The main opportunity opening up for me is increased attention to good governance and the contribution of boards. After widespread corporate scandals a few years ago, people started paying more attention to the state of nonprofit boards, and they often found a sorry mess. Now organisations realise they must give more systematic thought to what their boards do, and their board members need concise and targeted training. For consultants like me, this is good news.
Perhaps the main threat is the fact that foundations and EU-sourced funding is often project based and thus doesn't include resources for organisational capacity building. It's taking time for many organisations to realise that board development is an item they must include regularly in their annual budget rather than a one-off event that someone else will pay for.
Can you recommend any sources of information that you find useful in your business:
I've benefited a lot from writings on corporate governance issues, found in dailies such as the Financial Times and websites such as corpgov.net and the European Corporate Governance Institute (www.ecgi.org). On nonprofit governance, BoardSource (www.boardsource.org) is still the best resource.
EUCONSULT MEMBERSHIP
Why did you join EUConsult?
I needed contact with other consultants working with nonprofits, to keep up what they were doing and learn how the field of consultancy is developing and changing. Since this is a new discipline in the region where I live—Central Europe—EUConsult offered the best available framework.
With which other EUConsult members have you found the opportunity to cooperate on projects?
So far there's been little overlap, since I'm one of the few EUConsult members working outside of Western Europe. I hope once other EUConsult members start looking to engage further afield, there will be some new and exciting some opportunities for cooperation.
BACKGROUND INFO
Where and what did you study?
I have a Doctorate in Comparative Literature from the Johns Hopkins University.
How did you first get involved in NPO consultancy?
I'd been working as Director of Communications at the Aspen Institute and wanted to get more directly involved in the international nonprofit sector. When the opportunity arose to move to BoardSource, I joined that organisation as the Director of Global Programs. In 2002 I moved to Warsaw due to my husband's work and started off as an independent consultant shortly thereafter.
What interests you most about staying in the field?
The opportunity to work with committed people around the world. The chance to see how civic action leads to the betterment of changing societies. My ability to make a small contribution to helping nonprofit organisations live up to their own aspirations.
What do you do to relax and forget your consultancy work? Enjoy time with my family and friends; read, swim, cook; the usual stuff!
