Rhonda Hilyer founded Agreement Dynamics in 1990. At that time, it was a “one-woman shop” specializing in conflict resolution and negotiations consulting and training. Today, Agreement Dynamics is a diverse group of nationally-recognized professionals in virtually every area of individual and organization development. While this closely-knit team comes from varied backgrounds, all are focused on fulfilling Agreement Dynamics’ mission:
Meet ADI Professionals
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Testimonials
“Thank you for all you did with the City and its Coalition of Unions. I have learned more from you than you’ll ever know.”
-- Paul Girard, Special Assistant to the Mayor, City of Los Angeles
Rhonda Hilyer
President and Founder of Agreement Dynamics, Rhonda Hilyer is an international consultant with a reputation for helping convert traditional, conflict-based environments into productive, collaborative ones. As a professional negotiator for nearly 30 years, a former international labor leader, and an employer responsible for bottom-line results, Rhonda has pioneered uniquely successful approaches to both negotiating great agreements and unleashing workforce productivity. (See Media Credits.)
Rhonda consults regularly with leaders of business, labor, education, and government. She has worked extensively with manufacturers,
Mike Mandella
Having served as Fire Chief at the Port of Seattle and as Director of Emergency Management at Seattle Tacoma International Airport, Mike Mandella is an expert in emergency planning, preparedness, and management. Mike is a frequent presenter at emergency management conferences and is a FEMA-certified instructor offering introductory, intermediate, and advanced courses in the Incident Command System and in the National Incident Management System. Mike has also authored and facilitated training programs in activating emergency plans with simulation of real life disasters. Strong peer support of Mike’s common sense approach to emergency management led the Washington State and International Associations of Fire Chiefs to put forward his name for a presidential appointment as Director of FEMA Region X.
“ Thank you for all that you have done for this region. Your energy and commitment have made all of us safer. I appreciate the insight that you always provided us, and your push at times, to do the right thing.”
-Bud Backer, Deputy Chief, Woodinville Fire Department
Mike is also an exceptional consensus builder and facilitator with a strong background in labor relations. As a union official and, later, as a fire chief he negotiated contracts, solved problems, and worked collaboratively with his counterparts to achieve positive results and productive working relationships. Mike joined Agreement Dynamics in 2008 and has already developed a long list of satisfied clients.
Daniel Villao
Daniel Villao is a negotiation and facilitation professional with more than 15 years of experience and a proven record of success in negotiating contracts and agreements, building internal and external relationships, and leading teams to reach goals. Daniel is very skilled in identifying areas for improvement and implementing solutions that produce measurable results. He is a proven change agent and an innovative, value oriented problem solver. As State Director for the California Construction Academy (CCA) at the UCLA Downtown Labor Center, Daniel has focused on bringing diverse interest groups together in order to create policy on innovative green construction and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Prior to joining Agreement Dynamics in 2009, he was a principal negotiator for the Los Angeles and Orange Counties Building and Construction Trades Council representing 17 organizations and 135,000 employees. Daniel is a former business agent for IBEW Local 11 and a journeyman electrician. Fluent in Spanish and English, he holds a B.S. in Business Administration and an M.B.A. and currently serves on a variety of boards and committees.
Mary Kay Voss
Mary Kay Voss is a results-oriented training and facilitation professional. Her diverse and successful background includes that of Mill Creek, WA City Council member, financial planner, trainer, and stockbroker. Mary Kay is an excellent meeting facilitator, bringing collaboration and extensive experience in group process to her work. Her workshops on communication and leadership are highly sought after and consistently rated as superior.
“Mary Kay did a fantastic job training our human resources staff in communication styles. We learned a great deal and thoroughly enjoyed her.”
-Sheryl Bender,
Port of Long Beach, CA
"Fabulous instructor"
- University of Washington Professional and Organizational Development training evaluation - Winter 2009
Colleen Blake
Colleen Blake is an experienced leader with more than eighteen years experience managing teams and processes to reach success. Colleen provides human resource consulting, team development and leadership coaching/training services. She also facilitates retreats, strategic planning efforts, and individual and/or group conflict resolution sessions.
Prior to joining Agreement Dynamics clients, Colleen was Director of Group Support at Washington Dental Service, a Manager at Premera, and a manager at SAFECO Life Company. A civic-minded citizen, Colleen serves on the Board of the Center for Human Services, where she was award “Volunteer of the Year in 2005.”
"Colleen, thank you for the fantastic job of facilitating our City Council goal-setting retreat! I have heard nothing but positive feedback and I look forward to an opportunity to work with you in the future."
Ginny Ratliff
Ginny Ratliff, Executive Director, has managed the day-to-day operations of Agreement Dynamics since 1995. She also provides client services such as online surveys, project management, needs assessments, and facilitation assistance. Prior to joining Agreement Dynamics, Ginny operated a desktop publishing business specializing in graphic design, training manuals, and resume writing. During college she was a consultant for two grassroots electoral campaigns and an organizer for Amalgamated Transit Union's Political Action Committee.
-Douglas J. Schulze, City Manager, City of Normandy Park, Washington
“Ginny, thanks and congratulations on a job well done during the Washington E-Waste Stakeholder process. The meetings and overall effort you organized, coordinated and conducted are at the top of my list of stakeholder processes I have experienced."
-Grant Nelson,
Governmental Affairs Director, Association of Washington Business
private and public utilities, non-profit associations, ports, unions, hospitals, elected bodies, transit agencies, police and fire departments, airlines, colleges and universities, and at various levels of city, county, and state government.
Rhonda specializes in leadership development, conflict facilitation, collaborative labor relations, teambuilding, and multi-party and complex negotiations.
Her book on enhancing communication, Success Signals, is a best seller, and can be purchased at our online store. Her trainings on collaboration, conflict resolution, negotiations, and facilitation are highly acclaimed and provide proven tools for success.
“To help individuals, groups and organizations forge successful relationships, agreements and results.”
“Rhonda Hilyer and her team are uniquely talented individuals who have the ability to bring people together in a collaborative manner, even when they have very different interests. They encourage effective communication with one another and work from a basis of respect which makes all the difference in the world.”
- Suzanne Mason, Director of Human Resources, Napa County, CA
“When failure is not an option, I call Agreement Dynamics. No question about it.”
--Phil Kushlan, Executive Director, Capital City Development Corporation
Former Executive Director, Washington State Public Stadium Authority
Former City Manger, Bellevue, Washington
“ I'm impressed with Daniel's astute leadership and communication skills. He manages delicate situations with the grace and finesse of a pro, and his collaborative spirit really aids in getting opposing parties to reach consensus.”
- Julie B. Gutman, Commissioner of Public Works and Senior Advisor to the Mayor, City of Los Angeles
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