National Network of ToP Trainers

Our national network of skilled and experienced ToP® Trainers train over 4,000 people each year on ToP Facilitation Methods.

If you would like to connect with a particular trainer, or if you are interested in learning more about the journey to become a ToP Trainer, submit an inquiry through the Contact Us button.

Trainers appear alphabetically by first name. Use your browser's search function to find a particular trainer.

Sherry Johnson

Certified ToP® Trainer

Sherry Johnson (she/her/hers) invites clients into transformative processes through her firm, Cultivate Strategy. With a background in arts education, community organizing, and volunteer coordination, Sherry understands the power of a clear, compelling, and shared purpose as a baseline for personal and organizational development.

A trainer, facilitator, and complexity coach, Sherry specializes in working with resistant populations, stressing inclusivity and candor. She primes groups for success by facilitating data sharing from multiple perspectives, in accessible formats. Sherry enjoys i incorporating current brain science research into her practice, aiming to engage intuition and promote mindfulness in group settings.

Sherry is certified in using and training ToP® Facilitation Methods and applying the Diamond Inclusiveness Assessment™. She holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Master of Education from the University of St. Catherine.

Shonnie Streder

Shonnie Streder, Qualified Trainer and Certified ToP® Facilitator

Shonnie Streder is Owner and Principal Consultant at REV Strategic Consulting where she works primarily with non-profits and particularly faith communities to plan strategically for community partnership and collaboration. She is passionate about creating spaces for belonging, highlighting the value of every voice in decision making processes, and helping create human-centered action plans. Shonnie also earned a master’s degree in Christian Practice from Duke Divinity School and is an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church. She leads a rural congregation in the mountains of North Carolina, and loves spending time building relationships with her husband, daughters, and neighbors.

Stephanie Ahles

Certified ToP Facilitator (CTF) and Mentor Trainer - Las Vegas, NV

Stephanie is a highly qualified and experienced facilitator and trainer who excels in participatory engagement. She is a certified ToP Facilitator, mentor trainer, and certification assessor through Institute of Cultural Affairs-USA. She has experience working with organizations across multiple sectors and jurisdictions and brings more than 20 years of experience working in county government. She specializes in leadership and organizational development, change and project management, and strategic planning. Stephanie is the founder of EmpoweringYOU in Las Vegas, NV and is professionally affiliated with the ToP® (Technology of Participation) Trainers Network. Her unique ability to motivate and inspire groups through participatory processes consistently delivers great results. She has an MA in Public Administration and a BA in Psychology and Social Work.

Sunny Walker

Certified ToP Facilitator (CTF) and Mentor Trainer - Aurora, CO

Sunny Walker spent most of her work life developing methods and processes to ensure full participation of people engaged together in any effort. She works primarily with non-profits, government agencies, local communities and Native Tribes. She has worked overseas, spending extended time in the Pacific and Latin America, as well working across the US. Sunny is also a founding member of the International Association of Facilitators and was recently inducted into their Facilitator Hall of Fame.

Tiffany Kong

Una McAlinden

Certified ToP Facilitator (CTF) and Qualified Trainer – Seattle, WA

Una McAlinden is a catalyst for consensus-based, action-oriented visioning and planning. A former attorney, Una brings innate abilities to design and facilitate effective process that trusts a group’s collective wisdom. As a result, they reach solutions faster and more easily than they would alone, addressing challenges with creative, feasible, and sustainable strategies.

Prior to launching her independent practice, Una served ten years as executive director of a statewide non-profit. Taking a systems approach, Una developed programs infused with ToP methods that supported school and district administrators in building their own capacity to lead
while engaging the community in achieving shared goals.

Una has recently expanded her facilitation skills to embrace virtual and online platforms and is excited by the collaboration possibilities the virtual space holds. Her creative approach produces powerful collaboration and lasting results. Una’s clients include a diverse range of not-for-profits and government clients at the city, county, and state level. Learn more at: unamcalinden.com