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We are a small, woman-owned consulting firm specializing in:

  • Facilitation/Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution

  • Public Involvement

  • Strategic Planning

  • Organizational Development

  • Executive, Management, Employee, and Team Coaching

NAVIGATING CONFLICT, PILOTING CHANGE 

WE DELIVER ON OUR TAGLINE!

We live in a complicated world and face complex problems. Human relationships are always at the root of this complexity which is based on inherent diversity of interests and perspectives. Poorly managed relationships can lead to conflict and the reverberating impacts – from costly project delays and litigation to disgruntled teams, high turnover rates, and poor performance.

 

Conflict is inefficient and frustrating for everyone involved, and it’s consequences are usually expensive in a myriad of ways. But here’s the good news: it can often be prevented or at the very least, effectively managed to drastically reduce the severity of these predictable impacts. 

 

Rainwater & Associates can help steer you through the complex, prevent or minimize conflict and delays, and get you where you need to go more efficiently – and we have a history of successful projects and satisfied clients to prove it!

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OUR SERVICES

Marie Rainwater has nearly 25 years of proven success helping groups and teams navigate complex projects with a high potential for conflict as well as those already deeply mired in it. Marie is highly skilled in facilitation/mediation, strategic planning, process and meeting design, complex problem-solving and decision-making, and interest-based negotiation. No matter who is in the room, Marie connects with everyone, develops trust, and guides the group where they say they want to go.  

We have a demonstrated track record working in these areas: 

 

  • Environmental policy

  • Water resource planning

  • Hazardous waste remediation

  • Land use planning and redevelopment

  • Recreational resource planning 

  • Tribal consultations

  • Risk/crises communication 

  • Community engagement/participation

  • Strategic planning 

  • Employee/project-team relations and conflicts

  • Professional coaching
     

FACILITATION/MEDIATION


Our clients and stakeholders are a diverse bunch, including ranchers and farmers, tribes and historical societies, environmentalists and activists, politicians and staffers, scientists and engineers, community members, landowners, developers, state and federal resource agencies, and regulators. Marie has successfully facilitated many complex projects including advisory groups for land use and redevelopment, environmental cleanup, water planning, and cross-functional teams working on huge projects.

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SPOTLIGHT SPECIALTY: Hydropower Relicensing & License Implementation

Marie has been the lead facilitator for 12 FERC relicensing proceedings in the western Sierra, including some of the largest and most complex water projects in the country.  The science and regulatory landscape of hydropower relicensing is extremely complex. Marie provides expert guidance and facilitation support for utilities, water agencies, and districts navigating this intricate process. Marie has an extraordinary ability to help stakeholders track and analyze data, navigate regulations, and make difficult high-stakes and values-based decisions. Her efforts consistently lead to consensus.

PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT

Presenting and defending a fixed position is almost always NOT the way to go! Whether the project is an environmental clean-up plan, a proposed land use development, or a new public policy, early and substantive stakeholder involvement goes a long way to prevent much larger problems in the long run such as endless delays, political smear/opposition campaigns, and litigation. Rainwater & Associates can guide clients through a process that minimizes conflicts and encourages effective stakeholder involvement. Our style is direct and honest, engaging and clear. There is no pomp and circumstance: we’re lean and unpretentious, and we find this direct approach to be highly effective in all settings. 

ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT/STRATEGIC PLANNING
 

Have you ever been sitting in a project meeting bored out of your mind or frustrated at the inefficiency and lack of clear goals? Is your company undergoing a significant organizational change and dealing with disgruntled staff? Rainwater & Associates can help with all that. We help cultivate communication skills, clarify goals, manage change, and develop better alignment within an organization or a project team. We can work with program/project managers to better harness the skills and contributions of their team members, increasing employee satisfaction, retention and productivity and make a positive impact on your bottom line.

PROFESSIONAL COACHING

More and more organizations and individuals are realizing the benefits of utilizing professional coaching. Professional coaching is ideal for those in leadership positions as well as for employees who are highly motivated or have been identified as having significant potential. Research shows a tangible return on investment for those who utilize professional coaching. 

 

What are your current challenges? Where do you want to go? What needs to improve in your life or organization? Marie can help you figure it out, make a personalized plan, and help you MOTIVATE to get it done! 

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ABOUT US

Rainwater & Associates is a small company that makes a big impact. We were founded in 2003 and are located in beautiful Oakland, California.

Marie Rainwater  is a principal owner of Rainwater & Associates 

and has nearly 25 years of professional experience helping people talk more effectively with each other and work better together, even when their past histories and job titles would indicate that was not possible. In her spare time she enjoys reading, kayaking, camping in her retro-trailer, fishing, and hanging out with friends, family, and her

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Jordie Bornstein is a principal owner of Rainwater & Associates and has nearly 25 years of project and contracts management experience in the field of environmental consulting. When not working she can be found on her mountain bike or a tennis court, taking in local theater and performances, or trail running with her three dogs (one of which is also spotted).

ABOUT US

BUSINESS CERTIFICATIONS

  • Small Business Certification (#0034005)
    State of California, Department of General Services
     

  • Disadvantaged Business Enterprise and Woman-owned Business Enterprise (#35318)
    U.S. Department of Transportation, California Unified Certification Program

     

  • Small Business Entity and Micro-Small Business Entity – Bay Area Rapid Transit Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program
     

  • WBE and Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Business Enterprise (#4IN00019)
    Utility Supplier Diversity program of the California Public Utilities Commission

     

  • Local Small Business and Local Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Business Enterprise
    BART, Office of Civil Rights

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