Erik Speakman

Planning and Organizational Development Consultant

Erik Speakman is the founder of Speakman Management Consulting.  SMC specializes in facilitating the development of effective plans, partnerships and people for small- to mid-sized organizations. Organizational services focus on nonprofit mergers and strategic partnerships; strategic planning and implementation; facilitation of retreats and other working sessions; board and personal development, and training and coaching.

Erik has 15 years’ experience as a consultant and facilitator in the fields of strategic planning, partnerships, implementation, change-management, and organizational development.  He has developed specialized expertise in the area of merger and strategic alliances in the nonprofit and government sectors. 

As a regular trainer with the Georgia Center for Nonprofits, Erik provided workshops in leadership development, time management, collaborative strategic planning, and strategic partnerships and mergers.  He also instructed collaborative strategic planning and leadership development courses through Georgia State University’s Division of Continuing Education. Erik was published in numerous publications and trade journals and has presented at several national organizations.

Erik has worked with over 300 nonprofit and for-profit agencies, including many of the largest Atlanta-based nonprofits in addressing organizational issues, developing long-term strategic plans, enhancing board capacity and developing partnerships. Erik developed a customized collaborative strategic planning and leadership development manual for numerous clients, and he designed and facilitated more than 20 training and development programs for clients from all sectors.

Erik developed and facilitated several successful private/public collaborations and mergers, including the consolidation of Council for Children and the Children’s Law Center, 5-Star Network (network of five-state public broadcasting agencies), Georgia Rural Library Initiative, and the IMAGE/Contemporary Art Center partnership.

His work produced tangible outcomes and results for strategic planning clients, including Atlanta Union Mission, Atlanta Habitat for Humanity, CHRIS Kids, Community Housing Resource Center, DFACS, East Lake Community Foundation, Fulton County Arts Council, Georgia Center for Children, Georgia Division of Public Health, Odyssey (former CEP), and Trees Atlanta.

Erik received a master’s in management specializing in strategic planning from Georgia State University. He is a certified mediator in the State of Georgia and member of the International Association of Facilitators.