Who is Willow Consulting?

We are a consulting firm dedicated to helping mission-driven organizations engage communities, align stakeholders, and lead effectively through change.

Our work supports nonprofits, public agencies, community organizations and corporations that are shaping the future of transportation, infrastructure, environmental systems, neighborhoods and more.

Amy Arcand

Founder + Lead Consultant

Amy's approach to community engagement was shaped in the early 1990s while studying community organizing in Namibia and South Africa in the wake of apartheid. That experience continues to inform her belief that lasting change happens when communities are actively involved in the decisions that affect their lives.

Amy founded Willow Consulting in 2013 with a mission to support local nonprofits during periods of transition, foster stronger connections between government agencies and the communities they serve, and strengthen neighborhood organizations in Minneapolis. She has dedicated her career to ensuring that community voices are heard and reflected in community plans.

Willow Consulting supports transportation projects, nonprofit and public sector leaders, and overall operations at several organizations across the Twin Cities. Amy led community engagement efforts on projects like Lyndale Avenue reconstruction, 35W@94: Downtown to Crosstown, I-94 Minneapolis, and Stone Arch Bridge rehabilitation. Previously, she served as the executive director of the Corcoran Neighborhood Organization for 11 years.

Amy's over 25 years of experience working with nonprofits, community-based organizations, and government partners sets her apart as a skilled facilitator and trusted partner, adept at helping groups large and small navigate difficult discussions and coalesce around a shared vision.

Education And Training

Bachelor of Arts, Augsburg University
Master of Public Affairs with a concentration in Civic Engagement, University of Minnesota, Humphrey School of Public Affairs

Leadership And Volunteerism

2006 Recipient of Thomas Swain Fellowship for Leadership
2008 Recipient of the Gross Family Leadership Award for Best Paper
2022 American Council of Engineering Companies of Minnesota Honor Award for 35W@94: Downtown to Crosstown Strategic Engagement
Central Lutheran Church Community Meal Volunteer - 2025-Present
Voyageurs Conservancy Board of Directors - 2015-2025
Minneapolis Parks South Service Area Master Plan Community Advisory Committee - 2014-2016
Chair - 2014-2016
Midway Greenway Coalition Board of Directors - 2003-2006

A Few Things About Me

Happy Place: Voyageurs National Park
Oddest Job: Crew member on a boat in Alaska where I got to harvest glacier ice for tourists' cocktails
Always Promoting: Social justice and feminism
For Fun: Traveling, kayaking, and sharing good food with great people

What I Value

Inclusivity: Better decisions happen when more voices are at the table
Flexibility: I meet you where you are, whether on-site or virtual, and for projects big or small
Candor: Honest, respectful conversations that move things forward

Emily Koski

Consultant + Coach

Emily's path spans corporate leadership, entrepreneurship, and public service. From managing multimillion-dollar portfolios at Target Corporation, to building her own successful business, to serving two terms on the Minneapolis City Council, one thing has remained constant: she is passionate about helping people and centering their voices.

Emily works with nonprofits, government agencies, and businesses to navigate complexity, engage communities, and turn big ideas into real, measurable outcomes. Her approach is grounded and practical: build trust, listen deeply, and communicate clearly.

With more than 20 years of experience across sectors, Emily has led through high-stakes decisions, guided major initiatives, and built strong partnerships that keep people and community at the center.

She is also a certified coach who is passionate about helping individuals and teams navigate change, align their work with their values, and step into what is next with intention.

Education And Training

Bachelor of Arts in Marketing Management, University of St. Thomas
International Coaching Federation Certified Program, Learning Journeys

Leadership And Volunteerism

Minneapolis City Council Member - 2022-2025
Minneapolis City Council's Budget Committee - 2022-2025
Chair - 2022-2023
Vice Chair - 2024-2025
Minneapolis City Council's Public Works & Infrastructure Committee - 2022-2025
City of Minneapolis Planning Commission - Commissioner - 2022-2023
Meet Minneapolis - Board Member - 2022-2025
League of Minnesota Cities - Board Member - 2024-2025
Metropolitan Council Transportation Advisory Board - Board Member - 2022-2023
Metropolitan Airports Commission Noise Oversight Committee - Board Member - 2022-2025
Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport Working Group - Board Member - 2022-2025
Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board - Board Member - 2024-2025
Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity Leadership Council Member - 2019 - Present
NE Lions Foundation Board Member - 2018 - Present
Waite Park Neighborhood Association Board Member - 2013 - 2016

A Few Things About Me

Happy Place: Lake St. Croix in Solon Springs, WI
Favorite Saying: Dreams are free!
For Fun: Pickleball, pickleball and more pickleball!

What I Value

Connection: Strong relationships and collaboration are the foundation for lasting impact
Clarity: Clear communication builds trust and momentum
Follow-Through: Ideas matter, but execution is everything

We don't just plan
We show up and do the work

Our approach goes beyond strategy.

We work alongside you in the community, listening, engaging, and moving ideas into action. Whether that means facilitating conversations, knocking on doors, or rolling up our sleeves to handle what needs to get done, we help carry projects from start to finish.

We're as comfortable in a community meeting as we are in a leadership briefing. One moment we're tackling on-the-ground details; the next, we're advising decision-makers. That range is what allows us to connect vision with real-world progress.

We bring a collaborative, hands-on approach to every engagement. We meet people and organizations where they are, design processes that reflect their realities, and keep work moving in ways that are practical, inclusive, and built to last.