Picture by Stefan Apse, Robinson Woods, Cape Elizabeth, checking out beaver activity with the kids and the ice on the pond
Leigh Tillman works with groups as a facilitator and trainer.
She highly values the art of recognizing all the perspectives at the table and the intentional crafting by a group of their identity, way of communicating and engaging, decisions, and direction going forward.
Her background offers her a unique skill set and perspective in approaching facilitation work.
After completing a degree in Anthropology and Creative Writing at Connecticut College, Leigh spent the majority of the subsequent decade in cultural contexts other than the one in which she grew up including:
Studying ecology and anthropology and assisting in a Heifer Project Natural Resource Management Assessment in Tanzania
Studying navigation and oceanography and crewing on boats in the South Pacific and the Sargasso Sea
Assisting Philippine University students in furthering their efforts to create art, dance, sports, and music classes for youth in Ilocos Norte, Philippines
Helping out in the tsunami relief effort in Southeast India and in the post-Katrina rebuilding in New Orleans and Violet, Louisiana
Working at a consensus-based Quaker summer camp
Working the Alaskan Salmon Season, fishing and hanging (i.e. making) fishing nets
Traveling throughout New Zealand, Australia, Thailand, India, Morocco, the Caribbean, and Latin America
Studying and teaching yoga in India, Thailand, Mexico, and Maine
Starting and managing several farming projects in rural and urban Maine
Picture by Colin Apse, Bore Stone Mountain. Midwinter.
Picture by Leigh, islands of Freeport, Maine. Early fall in the last of the day’s light.
“Gatherings crackle and flourish when real thought goes into them, when structure is baked into them, and when a host has the curiosity, willingness, and generosity of spirit to try.”
These experiences and others have helped Leigh recognize the value of different perspectives, broadened her awareness of ways individuals can collaborate, and lead to her interest in meeting facilitation. They have also invested in her a deep care for our individual ability to connect with one another and our community through sharing our stories. Her background has instilled in her a cross-cultural competency that she brings to her work.
Between 2010 and 2013, Leigh was trained as a facilitator. She is a certified mediator and brings this experience to her facilitation work. She worked as an associate at Good Group Decisions in Brunswick, Maine, where she offered facilitation and training services to groups throughout the Northeast. From there, she created Leigh Tillman Facilitation to continue working with groups directly and has worked with groups nationally and internationally.
She loves all that she has learned alongside the groups she has worked with and has loved the ongoing relationships of witnessing groups and individuals bringing intention to the unfolding of their work and shared efforts.
Leigh currently lives in South Portland with her family where they attempt to grow as many types of fruit as possible at their home. She loves getting out to bike, surf, and cross country ski.