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Facilitator & Linguist

Virtual Conference Programme Manager

Based in UK, working internationally

I am a French and Spanish speaking facilitator with 20+ years’ international business experience which includes managing large international conference programmes on a project basis and designing interactive and engaging workshops.

Accredited and experienced

I have cross-industry experience and love the variety of working with different organisations, groups and individuals within an international environment, understanding their challenges and goals, ultimately bringing them together to encourage partnerships and collaboration. I use my facilitation and communication skills in every area of my work and really see the value of a consultative, open and reflective approach.   

An Open & Holistic Approach

Drawing on philosophical models and theories studied as part of my accreditation with the Association of Facilitators, the learning and development begins as we design and shape your workshop together, allowing time for sharing, reflection and making sense.

I like problem solving, empowering others to work through their difficulties to reach a greater understanding, ultimately reaching alignment and improved engagement.

I am dedicated to reaching a positive outcome in a fun and focused way!

As a facilitator, I ensure all attendees feel valued, at ease and comfortable to share their views through creating an open and positive environment.

With a structured agenda and clear outcomes focus I ensure your organisation gets real value from the time together through capturing any key discussion points, next steps and actions in a follow up plan.

Facilitating for Change

Collaboration is at the heart of everything I do.  I love working with organisations who are focused on making change – Charities, INGOs, international coalitions and membership organisations who convene and build partnerships to support and improve the lives of people and protect our planet.  

Inspired by working closely with organsisations with such fantastic goals, I am excited to extend my network and collaborate with my peers, drawing on our varied facilitation experience in eg. structuring interactive meetings, group dynamics and working through organisational & relationship difficulties.  Working together, we share our expertise and create a space to facilitate the conversations that effect change.

Recent News & Blogs

Communicating with Lego

| Accessibility & Inclusion, Collaboration, Facilitation Techniques, Interactive Tools, Teambuilding | No Comments
"Think with your hands, listen with your eyes & ears.  Tell a story with your model - everyone builds & everyone tells!" This was part of Paul Kelly from Pandek's…

NNN Hybrid Conference 2022, Nepal

| Accessibility & Inclusion, Career in languages, Collaboration, Hybrid Event, Interactive Tools, International Events, International Public Health, MYT Events, Virtual Conferences | No Comments
Amazing to be back in person with the wonderful NNN community for their annual hybrid conference in Kathmandu:  NTDs in health systems - innovate, integrate & empower!  Credit: Nabin Baral…

Pause, Reflect, Make Sense….

| Facilitation Techniques | No Comments
I re-accredited at Level 2 as a facilitator with The Association of Facilitators in October 2022 as part of my continuing professional development (CPD).  All of our training and learning…
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"It was such a pleasure having you as part of the 2030 in Sight Live team! Your energy, professionalism, and bilingual skills were invaluable. The feedback we received about your support for our Spanish-speaking attendees and members has been overwhelmingly positive. They truly appreciated your warmth and willingness to go the extra mile. We absolutely loved working with you and very much look forward to future collaborations. We'll definitely keep you in mind for any French or Spanish language needs, as well as facilitation and workshop design support. Your flexible approach is a huge asset!"

Simon Darvill, Director of Communications, Campaigns & Events - International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB)

"Debbie is an excellent facilitator and it has been fantastic working closely together on the programmes for the annual NNN conferences for over three years now. Not only can we rely on Debbie's strong, detailed programme management skills but also her engaging and professional facilitation style when liaising with our high-profile speakers and dignitaries is remarkable. These skills were particularly valuable at the 2022 Hybrid Conference with the complex arrangements for the President and Health Minister from Nepal who joined as special guests for the Opening Ceremony. Debbie is friendly and has a calm, reassuring presence and is comfortable jumping on stage when appropriate to ease the proceedings. She is also flexible and versatile, during workshops rehearsals and sessions she loves the opportunity to support our francophone speakers in French and also gently facilitate conversations with the workshop delivery teams to ensure they design their sessions with an outcomes focus, aligning to our core conference themes."

Arielle Dolegui, Global Strategy Lead - NTD Policy and Advocacy, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and NNN Past Chair 2022

"Debbie's Programme Shaping sessions have been invaluable in helping us design and shape the NNN 2022 and 2023 conference programmes. Debbie prepares thoroughly for each session so we can focus on the key areas that require careful reflection and planning, allowing time and space to hear from all committee members and valuing each and every contribution. Debbie then gently guides us through the decision-making process to enable us to reach consensus and keep momentum. She is keen to encourage creative ideas and new ways of approaching the conference programme, always checking that we are putting our members and attendees' objectives and experiences at the forefront of the design. Debbie is highly adept at transforming complex ideas and discussions into meaningful programme topics. Having worked with us since 2014, it is wonderful to know she is committed to supporting the NNN community with our programmes and collaborations."

Girija Sankar, Head of NTDs - Inclusive Eye Health Initiative, CBM Christian Blind Mission and NNN Chair 2023

“I have known Debbie for 10 years or so in her role as event organiser and facilitator in the neglected tropical diseases field. I love working with her as she is very competent, quick to respond, kind and effective in what she does. Debbie understands the art of facilitation very well indeed. She enables things to run smoothly, leading from the front when needed; at other times working quietly in the background, yet easy to find and responsive when you need her. Thank you, Debbie, for all these year of excellent facilitation and support. It is a joy to work with you!”

Wim van Brakel, Medical Director, NLR International, Netherlands

"I have had the pleasure of working with Debbie through international conferences and UK based meetings since 2014. Many of us who have worked with Debbie and the MYT team over the years are always in awe of how much Debbie and the team do, and how much dedication is involved in supporting stakeholders through the NNN conference. Debbie is compassionate professionalism personified, working to complex briefs across event and project management that spans different cultures, languages and logistics. Debbie is calm under pressure and actively pursues problem solving through collaboration with excellent interpersonal skills and with diplomacy."

Aparna Barua Adams, Senior Advocacy Advisor - Unlimit Health (formerly SCI Foundation)

“Thanks Debbie, it is always great to work with you whether over NNN, RSTMH or BSMS meetings – we always feel in such good hands, which takes away a lot of the potential stress of any conference. The way you facilitate really unlocks the energy and productivity of each meeting you’ve assisted us with.”

Professor Gail Davey, OBE, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, RSTMH

“When I heard that we had secured Debbie to coordinate and facilitate our event, I felt like I had been released from worry! From Debbie supporting our events over two previous years I knew that her calm and unruffled approach would bring a measure of control and she would use her experience to guide us through the process and deliver an excellent event. And this is precisely what happened; thank you.”

Daryl Lloyd, Senior Responsible Official for Disability-Inclusive Programming, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

“Firstly thank you so much for all your fantastic work on this. It’s a huge relief to know we have you as part of the team for this event! I think everyone was just bowled over about how professional the event was! And Debs everyone was very impressed with your facilitation and translation into 2 languages!”

Jessica Thompson, Director of Policy, Strategy and Advocacy, International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness

"What makes Debbie so talented is not only her exceptional moderator and facilitation skills, but her kind, personable and calm approach to every part of event management – no matter the situation. I have worked with Debbie since 2020 on a range of different events (online and in person) and never have I seen anything but an entirely professional approach, thoughtful and always one-step ahead of everyone. This calm and personable approach means that Debbie can relate to and interface with all types of personalities an important trait in this profession."

Louisa Syrett, Head of Gender Advocacy & Engagement, The Fred Hollows Foundation

“Absolutely wonderful working with you! Glad to feel your continued enthusiasm for NNN! Your thoughtfulness, attention to detail, and timely responsiveness is much appreciated for our successful annual event. Your organizing skills and knowledge are highly valued by all.”

Yaobi Zhang, Senior Scientific Advisor, NTDs, Helen Keller International and former Chair of NTD NGO Network

“It’s always enjoyable working with you, Debbie. I really appreciate your calm and reassuring presence. Your facilitation style puts people at ease and our high level speakers feel supported throughout.”

Rosa Argent, Director of Communications and Membership, CHS Alliance

“Thank you so much for your hard work over the past weeks! It has been a great asset to have your magic with us.”

Hector Payo Mariño, Accountable Now

I would love to discuss how I can support you with your meetings & workshops