Gray Horse Strategies
We look at things differently
Our clients are nonprofit, public and tribal organizations committed to growing stronger
Strategic Planning
We’ve created a proprietary approach to strategic planning that is clear, time-limited & efficient.
Quality Improvement
We offer basic, practical, hands-on training & coaching, helping your organization begin or strengthen its quality improvement journey.
Performance & Program Evaluation
Looking to improve the way you evaluate your program and/or organizational achievement? Let us help you organize around that goal.
Convening
Sometimes a neutral facilitator who is not part of your group or community can make all the difference.
Focus Groups
When you need deep insights, focus groups can be a powerful tool. We design and conduct focus groups and custom interviews.
Survey Design
All surveys are not created equal. We can assist in survey design and analysis, so you have the information you need for critical decision making.
We listen carefully & value each unique client
We discuss your needs up front at no cost or obligation
We offer customized solutions that are both practical and grounded in science
Our consultants have considerable experience in public, non-profit, and private sectors
We honor and value diversity and new perspectives
Our services are delivered on time and on budget
We won’t offer to serve you if the fit is not right
“Nancy was a fantastic facilitator for our recent strategic planning session. From the beginning planning stages, her clear and concise communication with the team was exactly what we were looking for. She made sure everyone felt heard and valued which really encouraged an open dialogue and discussion. She captured all our thoughts and ideas which has made it easy for us to follow up on tasks. I highly recommend her services to anyone looking for facilitation.
Debra Santiago, Community/Public Health Manager, Oneida Comprehensive Health Division, Oneida Nation
“Gray Horse Strategies has facilitated our strategic planning processes multiple times…and we have been thrilled with the outcome each and every time. Their real-world experiences and knowledge of innovative frameworks have helped our agency reach the best of results.”
Sue Kunferman, Director/Health Officer, Wood County (Wisconsin) Health Department
“Nancy and her team KNOW public health and are committed to helping tribal, local and state health departments make measurable improvements in their performance. What makes Nancy unique is the value she places on communication and building relationships with people and I believe that is what has made her so effective in her work with Tribes…”
Aleena M. Kawe, President and CEO, Red Star International
“We contacted Gray Horse Strategies knowing what we wanted, but unsure of the best way to get there. With her expertise and experience, Nancy assisted us in effectively engaging staff in developing a functioning performance management plan and process for quality improvement. Nancy provided clear direction, guidance, and empowered our staff to identify opportunities for improving their programs. Even upon the project’s completion, Nancy continued to be a resource for us in the plan review and implementation. Our Department is a stronger one because of the foundation Nancy helped us lay. ”
Carrie Sampson (Walla Walla-Cayuse-Umatilla), Quality Director/Interim Community Wellness Director, Yellowhawk Tribal Center
“Nancy is a responsive and effective communicator. Her facilitation style builds trust with diverse partners and sets a very open and welcoming setting to ensure that all voices are heard. It’s definitely a pleasure to work with her!”
Tana Feiner, Training and Technical Assistance Coordinator, Tobacco Prevention and Control Program, Wisconsin Division of Public Health
Consultants
Nancy Young, MPA – Founder and President of Gray Horse Strategies Nancy is now semi-retired but remains interested in working with previous clients and select new customers for whom Gray Horse Strategies is a good fit. She loves helping people work together to reach their goals, both short term and long. Her experience and expertise includes: strategic planning; quality improvement and performance management consultation and training; program evaluation consulting and training; acting as a neutral convener/facilitator; focus group consultation; public health accreditation; technical and grant writing; and governmental and nonprofit leadership. Nancy began full-time, independent consulting in the year 2000.
Kusuma Madamala, PhD, MPH – Affiliated Consultant – Public Health Systems and Evaluation
Kusuma Madamala has over 20 years experience in public health services and systems research and evaluation. Her primary areas of experience have been in the performance of U.S. governmental public health agencies at the local, state and federal levels with their community and clinical system partners. She is a member of the Public Health Accreditation Board’s Research Advisory Committee, former Science Board member of the American Public Health Association, past chair of the Association’s Health Administration Section and former Advisory Committee member for AcademyHealth’s Public Health Systems Research.
Gretchen Sampson, RN, MPH – Management Consultant Gretchen Sampson is a public health professional with over 40 years of experience in governmental public health and human services organizational leadership. She enjoys bringing out the best in organizations by strengthening leadership, key partnerships, strategic planning and performance management. She has held leadership roles in the American Public Health Association, the Wisconsin Public Health Association and is currently serving as a site visitor for the Public Health Accreditation Board. Dan Stier
Dan Stier, J.D., Public Health Law Consultant Dan Stier is a veteran attorney and administrator with decades of experience in law offices and programs at state and federal levels. From March, 2010 until May, 2013, he was the director of the Network for Public Health Law’s National Coordinating Center, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The Network provided law and policy guidance to state, tribal, and local public health officials and others interested in protecting and improving the public’s health through law and policy. Upon leaving the Network, he established a public health law consulting business, Dan Stier, LLC. Mr. Stier was a Senior Public Health Analyst with CDC’s Public Health Law Program from 2005-2010. He worked closely with state public health officials and attorneys, guided by the Program’s mission “to advance the public’s health through law.” Mr. Stier devoted considerable attention to multi-jurisdictional legal issues relating to public health emergency preparedness, with particular focus on issues associated with state-tribal public health collaboration. He led CDC’s initiative to strengthen the relationship between public health and the courts, and served as the Program’s liaison to CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. Mr. Stier has spoken frequently on public health law issues. In cooperation with state public health officials and attorneys, he developed and implemented interactive web-based legal tools for use in the practice of public health law. He has authored articles concerning interstate and international public health mutual aid agreements, tribal public health laws, the public health role of the courts, legal liability during public health emergencies, and laws relating to injury prevention. Before joining CDC, Mr. Stier had a long and varied career in Wisconsin state government. In his most recent state position, as Chief Legal Counsel for ten years with the Department of Health and Family Services, he was closely involved with public health legal issues, including public health emergency preparedness and related revisions of Wisconsin law. Prior to his service with the Department of Health and Family Services, Mr. Stier served as an assistant attorney general in the Wisconsin Department of Justice and as the Deputy Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs. He is a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin, and is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School.
Kyla Waksmonski, MBA – Quality Improvement and Accreditation Consultant Kyla Waksmonski brings over 15 years of experience in public health, with a strong focus on performance management, quality improvement, accreditation readiness, and strategic planning. She is passionate about helping organizations build sustainable systems that drive measurable outcomes and foster continuous improvement. In addition to her consulting role with Gray Horse Strategies, Kyla serves as a Community Health Specialist and Accreditation Coordinator for the Oneida County Health Department. Her work bridges local public health practice and statewide initiatives, providing practical solutions to complex organizational challenges. Kyla holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a professional certification in Results-Based Accountability. She is also a graduate of the Healthy Wisconsin Leadership Institute and the National Leadership Academy for the Public’s Health, two leadership development programs that strengthen cross-sector collaboration and systems thinking in public health.
Small by design – Based in central Wisconsin – Serving clients nationwide
Looking Forward
We recently decided to switch web design platforms. New is good. But there’s been a learning curve so if you were looking for us in early summer 2025, thanks for your patience. Those of you new to Gray Horse Strategies might be thinking, “Why the horse imagery when your work has nothing to do with horses?” Well, in the early days of business building, on a spring morning in 2000, I looked out the office window where my three gray Arabians were grazing, and asked, “Why not!?” Now the beauty, resiliency and honesty of those horses is more inspiring than ever. And the business has evolved into even more meaningful work with stronger and broader connections. I’m semi-retired now but still love to work with clients for whom the status quo is not good enough. And I hope it’s not too obvious to point out the parallels with work and horses here. When you find something excellent to care for and about – something meaningful to do with the energy and time you’ve been given, you might ask, “Why stop?”
Nancy Young, President, August 2025
Site photographs by Dan Young and Nancy Young
