Collaborance

COLLABORATIVE GOVERNANCE

CONVERSATION | COLLABORATION | INNOVATION

Team dynamics facilitator & coach.

Hi, I’m Lesley Diaz, a facilitator and coach who helps teams build trust, momentum and impact by shifting how they think, relate, and act together. My work helps teams identify and shift long-standing patterns, reconnect to the creative core of their work, and move forward with clarity and confidence.

Most of the teams I work with aren’t broken, they’re just stuck. I help them build habits that reduce friction, strengthen relationships and surface better ideas.

Clients say I create safety for real conversations and the structure to move through them, surfacing what’s unspoken and turning shared insights into actionable habits and plans. Whether it’s a project team navigating change, a leadership group stalled in conflict, or a functional unit caught in swirl, I help teams pause, reflect, and rebuild from the inside out.

My strengths-based approach blends behavioral science, systems thinking, adult learning, and a deep belief in the power of team agreements, not just as rules of engagement, but as tools for alignment and action. These agreements drive better business outcomes, but they also ensure teams feel energized by their work, not exhausted and individuals feel confident, not confused; inspired, not isolated.

If you’re a leader or sponsor looking to improve team health, reduce friction, or foster shared ownership, let’s connect. I’d love to hear what you’re working on.

Language, habits & agreements that drive innovation

Method

Experiential workshops build trust & ownership
Self- &team-assessments encourage
reflection
Facilitated meetings generate dialogue & encourage break-through thinking
Structured events & retreats connect communities & promote collective action
Appreciative Inquiry Summits,
World Cafés, & Future Search events

Collaboration needs balance between the warmth of connection and the coolness of good process..

Measures

More emotionally & socially intelligent team members. More inclusive, resilient teams
Increased engagement & enhanced accountability
Better ideas. More effective decision-making. Less wasted time and energy
Improved retention, more vibrant community and business growth

Individuals

Conversation-based learning promotes connection and self-reflection. Interactive experiences build skills and sustain behavior change through simple actionable steps which help participants collaborate and innovate.
Ready to support your team members?

Let's Connect
Functional and Project Teams

Our appreciative approach creates brave spaces that encourage a robust exchange of ideas and transform fragmented groups into cohesive, agile teams.
Ready to challenge your teams?

Let's Connect
Organizations

Truly innovative organizations have a compelling vision that inspires collective action and systems that drive and sustain a collaborative culture.
Ready to transform collective aspirations into actions?

Let's Connect

Deep listening & practical insight

Lesley opens a space that allows people to come together differently. She combines deep listening with practical insight, helping groups see patterns beneath their challenges and discover new ways to move forward together.
Healthcare Client | Buffalo NY
Lesley transformed our approach to change

Lesley facilitated a series of workshops for our team focused on navigating change. We all found her to be engaging, well prepared, and adaptable to our team dynamics. She has practical emotional intelligence and adapted to our team dynamics in real time. We are still working with the insights and themes from the workshop and use many of the techniques we learned in our monthly team meetings. We highly recommend Lesley. She will exceed your expectations!
Non-Profit Client | Buffalo, NY
Lesley inspired new perspectives & confidence

Working with Lesley has been a special learning process for me. During our meetings my brain was working constantly. Her questions gave me new perspectives and created new ideas that drove me to think differently about things. Our conversations motivated me to set goals and inspired confidence I could reach them. I have never experienced the unique benefits of this kind of dialogue before. I am sure she is not aware of the extraordinary inspiration she provides.
Coaching Client | Buffalo, NY
Transformative impact on governance & organizational health

Over the past few years, Lesley has been an excellent consultant for our school. She has improved inclusiveness through mediation and facilitation, developing collaborative models and clear governance structures. Lesley brings experience, enthusiasm, and capability to the table. She is a pleasure to work with and has made invaluable contributions to the health of our school.
Independent School Faculty | Buffalo NY
Insightful approach, balancing structure & flexibility

Lesley is one of the most insightful organizational consultants I have ever worked with. She manages to bring form and structure without being overly prescriptive, and she has the courage to confront and address issues without judgement. She helped members of our board see and accept things that needed change and find practical solutions that fit naturally within our culture.
Independent School Board | Atlanta, GA
Tailored solutions for complex transitions

Lesley possesses a remarkable ability to quickly understand the nuances of an organization's culture and strategic needs. Her insightful approach to strategic planning and change management has been invaluable to our organization. She efficiently identifies key challenges and opportunities, and develops effective strategies that are tailored to our specific context. Lesley's work has been instrumental in helping us navigate complex transitions and achieve our strategic goals.
Non-Profit Client, | Buffalo NY
Warmth, Clarity & Courage

Lesley brings warmth, clarity, and courage to every conversation. She helps teams name what’s really happening beneath the surface and gives them language and tools for dialogue, progress. She meets people without judgement and then helps them believe that change is possible. Her work has changed how our team communicates, and how we trust.
Healthcare Client | Buffalo NY
Actionable maps create confidence & momentum

I have worked with Lesley in a few different situations, and in each case, she uses a process of guided discovery to surface what truly matters. When individuals or teams feel stuck, she translates insights into simple, actionable maps that move people forward with clarity and confidence.
Small Business Client | Buffalo NY