At Deo Mwano Consultancy (DMC), we’re known for our creative, out-of-the-box approach to board retreats, strategic planning, workshops, and large- or small-scale presentations. Whether we’re in a room with 10 board members or leading a keynote for 500 people, our mission is always the same: to build alignment, drive engagement, and maximize adoption of new ideas or strategies.

Over the past 15 years, I’ve facilitated and led trainings for a wide range of organizations. I work closely with my colleague Andrea Bruneau, our Senior Organizational Transformation Consultant. Together, we’ve developed a highly effective method for designing impactful experiences that leave lasting impressions and measurable results.

We Design Backwards to Move You Forward

For every organization we serve, we start by designing our retreats and workshops backwards. That means we begin with discovery conversations—with CEOs, board chairs, superintendents, executive directors—to understand:

What outcomes are you aiming for?
How do you want your people to feel when they leave the session?

If leaders aren’t sure how to answer those questions, we workshop with them to uncover the goals and emotions they’re hoping to cultivate. Once we understand the desired impact, we design each session around those core intentions—whether it's a single workshop or a multi-month engagement.

Retention > Information Dump

One key lesson we've learned: success isn't about how much content you present—it's about how much participants retain and apply.

The reality? Participants retain less than 10% of what’s shared during a workshop or keynote. That’s why we make our content tangible, interactive, and memorable. We prioritize active engagement over passive listening—because transformation happens when people move, create, reflect, and connect.

We Bring Learning to Life

Our workshops include:

Hands-on activities that involve movement, making things, and talking to one another.
Creative tools like LEGOs, Jenga blocks, sticky notes, and model-building materials.
Original role-play scripts tailored to your organization’s challenges—helping teams see themselves in real-world scenarios and collaborate on solutions.

These elements are backed by the diverse talents of our team:

Andrea majored in music, has theater experience, and coaches softball.
David has over 17 years of teaching experience at the high school level.
I’ve taught dance and created music and performance art for more than two decades.

Although we hold master’s degrees in organizational leadership, education, and business, we lead with creativity, empathy, and human connection. We turn ideas into 3D experiences that meet people where they are.

Our Secret Sauce: Movement and Music

I can’t talk about our retreats without mentioning our signature ice breakers. With a background in performance, I often open sessions with music and movement—but I don’t announce it that way. Instead, I ask volunteers to share their favorite wedding dance move or invite everyone to try something a little outside their comfort zone.

And it works. At first, there are nervous chuckles. But within moments, people are laughing, smiling, and cheering each other on. Movement unlocks vulnerability and joy. We even revisit those dance moments throughout the session—sometimes closing with the same moves we began with, giving participants something memorable and joyful to take with them.

Whether it's a room of 10 or a keynote with 500+ attendees, that energy stays with people long after the session ends.

We're Not Traditional—And That’s the Point

At DMC, we are committed to providing non-traditional, high-impact experiences for:

Board retreats
Strategic planning
Visioning sessions
Team and organizational alignment

We don't just inform—we activate. The results speak for themselves: breakthrough moments, stronger connections, and real momentum for our partners across sectors.

If you’re ready for a fresh approach to facilitation that blends strategy, heart, and creativity—we’d love to partner with you.