“Ms. Kim Phillips-Knope has been the backbone of Michigan’s Safe Schools for Sexual Minority Youth initiatives as the developer of the Silent Crisis resource guide and co-trainer for the day-long workshops for administrators, educators, and parents. She has an exceptional knowledge of the issues pertaining to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender youth. Ms. Phillips-Knope is an outstanding program planner, writer, trainer, and educator and has a unique ability to connect to diverse audiences and inspire individual, organizational and social change. I would highly recommend Ms. Phillips-Knope as a resource to your organization.”
–Laurie Bechhofer, Michigan Department of Education

“When I began to work on a project for sexual minority youth in San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD), I was referred to Kim as someone who could assist in designing both a training guide and a professional development model for teachers. Kim used her organizational skills to design a training and resource guide that both reflected current research and met the needs of our district. She used her communication skills to engage me in meaningful discussions about my goals and objectives for this project. She sought my input along the way, and was flexible in making changes as our needs changed. We were very fortunate to have Kim as a facilitator for two separate trainings on sexual minority youth. Kim has the capacity to make participants feel comfortable while encouraging them to expand their boundaries. She is able to facilitate discussions about sensitive issues in a way that makes individuals feel safe and respected. Kim is bright, funny, articulate and compassionate and it has been my pleasure to work with her. If the opportunity comes up in the future, I would not hesitate to contract with her again or refer her to other agencies. “
–Marge Kleinsmith-Hildebrand, San Diego Unified School District

“Safe school climate is a critical component to improving health and educational outcomes for LGBTQ youth. Ms. Phillips-Knope did an amazing job of empowering our school staff to make changes that will benefit all students. We will work hard to keep the momentum going here in Wisconsin.”
–Emily Holder, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

“Ms. Phillips-Knope‟s trainings directly impact participant perceptions and help all students achieve. Her approach allows participants to enhance academic learning, intellectual growth, and personal development. The training addresses the need for understanding students with unique gifts and talents to share in the school environment.”
–Dr. Arlene Richardson, Detroit Public Schools

“I just wanted to affirm for you how good I felt leaving the training at the end of the day on Friday. I’ve been to and have led lots of trainings over the years and Kim really knocked it out of the park last week. A lot of train the trainer workshops end up focusing on just presenting the curriculum at hand. I really appreciated that she focused on actually building up the skills of the trainers. That was a great and vital piece.”
–Brian J. from Wisconsin

“I always thought of myself as a member of “The Choir” when it came to LGBTQ issues, but this training really gave me a chance to honestly look at where I am from a different perspective. It also helped me in working with others that may be on different part of the spectrum of knowledge.”
–Bridget G. from Wyoming

Testimonials: Organizations

“It’s been my pleasure to have served on the Interfaith Task Force Against Domestic Violence for six years, since Leigh Ann first founded our group—one of the first of its kind in the country.  A highlight of my involvement was knowing and working with Leigh Ann.  Leigh Ann always demonstrated great dedication to her work, fostering leadership amongst our group while working for pioneering change.  Her gentle persuasiveness and visionary spirit not only serve her and her task well but also endear her to those who work with her.  In other words, we not only got things done, we also had a good time doing them.  Leigh Ann has keen abilities in action planning, keeping us focused on the big picture while simultaneously identifying the steps to reach our goals and encouraging creativity among team members.  Doing this effectively and fairly is a skill that’s in short supply, and I’ve seen her in action enough times to marvel at how naturally she does it.  Relationships are used as a means to an end too frequently and everyone pays a price.  Here in Leigh Ann, however, we see a model of authenticity that’s a contagious and exciting thing, as well as ever skillful in its outcome.  Leigh Ann’s abilities as a community leader, educator and advocate will be enormous service, wherever she goes.  Any organization fortunate enough to secure Leigh Ann’s involvement will be all the better for it.”
Dan Michalek, Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Brighton

“During Leigh Ann’s six years with LACASA, she undertook numerous challenges—including developing programs from the ground up, implementing initiatives that addressed tough issues, and bringing diverse groups together to work for social change.  She trained thousands of individuals on domestic and sexual violence—including faith communities, business, medical groups and schools—as well as developing anti-violence protocols within their institutions.  Rejuvenating our Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention Council (a coalition of 25 community agencies) was not an easy task.  However, Leigh Ann excelled at this and today our community Prevention Council is a model for the state.   Leigh Ann spearheaded other cutting-edge policy and training initiatives, including implementing LACASA’s animal kennel and pet safe program. She demonstrates a strong commitment to social justice, education, community organizing, working with people and making our world a better place.  Leigh Ann is a visionary who is extremely intelligent, practical, organized, detailed and always follows through.  Most outstanding is her innate ability to bring people together for a common cause.  Leigh Ann possesses all of the intellectual, practical and personal abilities needed to take on demanding roles and responsibilities.  She would be an asset to any organization, community or endeavor she commits to.”
–Debbie Felder-Smith, Former Director, LACASA, Livingston County

“During her tenure as Assistant Director of Project Grow, Leigh Ann provided a compelling voice of leadership and stability for an organization at a cross-road.  She demonstrated exceptional communication skills and was able to strategize and problem solve in usually challenging situations.  Leigh Ann’s position required a wide range of program management, organizational and board development skills.  She demonstrated a comprehensive understanding of the mission and potential of the organization and was able to provide leadership for an extended board visioning process.  I was extremely impressed with her ability to guide a contentious group through difficult decisions and to identify areas of agreement and compromise.  From a program management perspective, Leigh Ann not only successfully and immediately revitalized the community-based programs she supervised, she brought an insightful long-term approach through charting clear program goals, designing an organizational wide evaluation plan, facilitating program replicability as well as identifying new sources of revenue.  Her communication and organizational skills were also demonstrated in her rapport with and management of numerous groups of volunteers and community partnerships that were essential to the functioning of the organization.  Leigh Ann is a dedicated, reliable and conscientious employee with admirable values and exceptional community-based organizational skills, as well as a delightful person. She would be highly valuable to any organization by providing team leadership, group management as well as extensive program and organizational development expertise.”
–Catherine Riseng, University of Michigan, School of Natural Resources and Environment, Ann Arbor

“Leigh Ann’s strong belief in the power of grassroots organization, her facility with organizational constructs, her group facilitation, leadership and education skills have been evident throughout her work history.  Leigh Ann has a long and impressive record of collaboration with marginalized populations—particularly with respect to violence again women, the environment and public health initiatives.  Her sense of social justice has caused those who have worked with her to invest in the conviction that her cause is achievable.  Her commitment and passion are embodied in the persona of an engaging woman who finds her voice in a multiplicity of audiences.  Most certainly, Leigh Ann’s unique graduate education and her significant mastery of integrative wellness protocol has advanced her impact and success in working with needs-based populations.  A constellation of such skill, such preparation and noble purpose assures a successful outcome for any who would engage Leigh Ann in bettering their community.”
—Sandra Trosien, former educational consultant, Washtenaw Intermediate School District

One day, I will look back and recognize the most talented and special professionals I encountered over my career. I already know that Kim Phillips-Knope is one of those people.  Kim was enthusiastic about the Jewish Gay Network (JGN) and setting a high standard of leadership for herself and within the organization. She was not given a recipe book and was prepared to be flexible even though aspects of the program were uncertain. Kim took the initiative to draft a work plan, which served to define and prioritize her tasks. She dug into projects and delivered with competence.   Kim went through a learning curve driven by her good planning instincts and willingness to partner with leadership. Kim exhibited great curiosity and respect for Jewish thought, tradition and culture, which allowed her to tune in to LGBT-Jewish issues with insight. Kim has a strong sense of professionalism and personal integrity, which she brought to her work for JGN every day. She has a good sense of humor and picked up quickly on the working styles and personalities of JGN leadership. When tensions were present, she positioned herself as a constructive force and problem solver. When she was overwhelmed, she framed her critical feedback with tact and deference.  Kim exceeded my expectations and impressed me with a level of maturity beyond her years. She was an articulate, hard-working addition to our staff and she will be valuable wherever she lands. I give her my highest endorsement.”
–PJ Cherrin, Jewish Gay Network of Michigan