“As the incoming President of CIWEM, I was keen to ensure that our annual worldwide members’ webinar was a success. And an important part of the great success was thanks to David.

As the keynote speaker, he really left a lasting impact on our people. So much so that he was quoted on several occasions throughout the event.

He is inspirational, genuinely caring, and passionate about ensuring that we enhance lives, livelihoods, and the planet.

For any organisation that manages complex environmental, community, or sustainability issues, or for that matter, is grappling with seismic change, I strongly recommend that you devote time to having David speak to your leaders, managers, and staff.”

Bushra Hussein, President, Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM), UAE

“I told David beforehand that this sentence just kept entering my mind, and I couldn’t help it.

That sentence? “David is Love.” It’s the simple truth. David is Love.

How do I know this?

Because David brings to my table, and table of other’s the right questions. Someone who can ask the right questions – at the right moment in time – is a true master of value creation for the individual, between individuals, and between groups.

David homes in on the core thesis that begins as a highly entropic multi-variant tapestry of the current efforts in play, and current ‘change’ thinking of the individuals and groups involved.

On one past project I brought David in on – a highly complex, multi-partnership regenerative-AG, reforestation project in Madera County, Ca (500,000 acres/ 250,000 acres of burned forest) – David moved us forward in our visioning and strategic thinking far faster than we could have ever done both within our team and, I am confident, with most any other advisor.

David’s intuitive grasp and tacit knowledge of the regenerative business we were involved in, our multi-cultural context we were working with and within, and of ‘us’ as individuals was inspiring… and a bit scary.

David listened with respect and quietly empathetic intensity to everyone, synthesized myriad complex patterns that emerged in our meeting dialogues, and only spoke when there was tangible value within his words.

The current work David has helped, and continues to help, my team and I with concerns our start-up venture of which I am the co-founder.

David is one of three people in my Kitchen-Cabinet – a trusted, empathetic, complexity genius, and confidant who will tell me, in the nicest way - at the just-right moment-in-time - that I am nuts, or being unnecessarily obstinate, or not truly listening… etc, and do so exactly when (and why) I need to hear it.”

Entrepreneur / Serial Disruptor, California

“After experiencing difficulties and divisiveness in Board meetings due to some disruptive Board members, I worked with David in his capacity as an executive coach and strategic advisor.

Rather than jumping into solution mode, he took the time, through inquisitive questioning and deep listening, seeking to truly understand my situation. He was able to put the pieces together and then, through collaboratively working with me, we identified a compelling strategy for me to implement. On top of that, he advised me on some great tactics to use in the moment.

As a result, my next Board meeting was an absolute success.

If you want to work with a coach or advisor that genuinely cares – about you, your organisation, and the outcomes achieved – then I strongly recommend that you engage David.”

Chair, Global Not-for-Profit, Paris

“Over the past few years, I’ve been calling on David’s skills as a strategist to support me in developing my platform, Kuné, to connect and empower human purpose. While we may be situated on opposite sides of the planet, David’s readily apparent curiousity and empathy played a part in us quickly and deeply connecting. He truly cares about my success and the success of Kuné.

In my experience, his ability to grasp my comprehensive vision, so quickly, is very rare. With his assistance, his insights, and ability to anticipate how Kuné could interact with its countless stakeholders across the world, he has helped me enormously.

I would strongly recommend that you engage David on your next complex – or controversial – strategy or project.”

Global Entrepreneur & Serial Disruptor, County Cork

“Last night, the GM asked if I’d consider being Acting GM!

You know what, although it’s what I’d like to try, I almost said no. Then I got myself together and said, yes, I’d like to do that.

Me getting to this point, where I can articulate that I have ambition, and that there’s some stuff I’m good at, has been more than a tiny bit influenced by you, brilliantly leading me down a path to where I’m feeling more confident, and helping me to think about things in a different way.”

Senior Manager, Local Government, Tasmania

“I've had the pleasure of working with David both as a coach and as a facilitator in a group situation. His unique combination of skill and passion for working with people to bring out their best shines through in every interaction.

David’s insightful observations, backed with perceptive questioning make each conversation a valuable one. Personally, his compassion and real understanding of people allowed me to question my personal assumptions, allowing me to refine my true purpose, test my personal boundaries, bringing about growth and learning.”

Executive Manager, State Government, Sydney

“Working with David on a large, complex project with a number of stakeholders, I found him to be a person of integrity, who had the ability to build rapport with everyone involved in the project, regardless of their beliefs and background.

David's commitment to ensuring that all points of view were heard and addressed in difficult situations is to be highly commended. David always appreciated all points of view. He conducted himself in a professional, independent, constructive manner in challenging circumstances.

I would have no hesitation in recommending David in working with stakeholders, and as an independent chair.”

Managing Director, Brisbane

“David Ross is an insightful and committed consultant. His ability to listen to ‘the problem’ with the patience and understanding of complex situations and issues is refreshing. More than this, David is clearly results driven and can turn a problem into an opportunity for layered resolution. His use of designer Tone was very therapeutic, but also created a series of drawings that represented complex and deep issues in a way that resonated with our staff and stakeholders. I would not hesitate to recommend David Ross (and Tone) to support any change management and conflict resolution work. The strategic insights and ability to effortlessly work across audiences was truly valued in the change piece we are doing.”

District Director, State Government, Sydney

“It was really impressive the way you brought everyone’s views together.”

Board Member, Not-For-Profit, Melbourne

“The turnaround in the discussions over the past 12 months has been amazing – primarily because of your coaching and facilitation, David.”

Community member, Sydney

“David Ross was appointed to facilitate quarterly community consultation group meetings for residents and regulatory authorities, to foster rapport and trust with the local community living adjacent to our plant.

David assisted us to introduce a new structure and format for the meetings and improved the way in which they are conducted through his inclusive facilitation techniques. We were able to disband the meetings after 12 months, due to the successful collaboration that was achieved amongst the group through David’s facilitation.

It has been a pleasure working with David and I am pleased to recommend him as an experienced and highly effective facilitator, mediator and/or engagement adviser.”

National Stakeholder and Community Engagement Manager, Melbourne

“David is a true strategist and has the ability to listen and offer clear- cut solutions to complex problems.

He is one of the most genuine people I know so I was delighted to see David create his vision for sustainability through Phoenix. He is always generous with his advice. His unique and diverse background means he can effect transformational change for the enterprises he works with.”

Entrepreneur, Perth

Responses after training staff in stakeholder engagement and outrage in an Australian Federal Department:

"Fantastic delivery - David is absolutely amazing!"

"Great workshop and presentation by David."

"Couldn't fault David – engaging, funny and interested. A real genuine guy and knows exactly what he's doing."

"Well structured, thank you David for a great presentation."

Responses from chairing, facilitating, and training public and private sector managers at national (Australian) stakeholder and community relations’ forums:

“Great use of a diverse range of examples, tools. Highly applicable and presented very clearly and effectively.”

“Great, good humoured, well focused facilitator.”

“Warm and inspiring.”

“Warm, funny, dynamic, good experience.”

“Great personality for facilitating and good understanding of our topics covered. Thanks!”

“Good humour, relevant, well liked, good timekeeper.”