Grounded in lineage. Focused on systems-level impact.

Nohkum Consulting is the independent consulting business of Sara Mickelson. My work focuses on supporting public-sector and non-profit clients in improving the lives of families and children by transforming the early care and education (ECE) space.

The Nohkum Story

Named for my grandmother (nohkum/nohkom means "my grandma" in Cree), my consulting practice is built on the idea that was passed down by my grandma: systems must work better for the people. For me, that means making government and mission-driven orgs work for children and families.

Through my consulting, I bring my years of leading in the public sector and my belief that all solutions must be adapted to a client's unique context. I also believe that anyone who can make big change in the ECE space must do so with a deep curiosity about how to best create long-term change for future generations, how to work with community, and how to center children.

Consulting Work

I function as an independent consultant and join consulting teams with long-standing, beloved colleagues (e.g., Shoreline Consulting, Jeong Collective).I work with a variety of clients to apply my policy and implementation expertise across diverse contexts. Current and past clients in my independent consultancy include:

The Early Childhood Investment Corporation (Michigan)
Watershed Advisors
BUILD Initiative
New Mexico Early Childhood Funders Alliance

Experience

Prior to consulting, I had the opportunity to lead large-scale change in ECE systems across the country. Some of the work I'm proudest of includes:

Scaling Programs (New Mexico): Architected the transition to Universal PreK and led the expansion of statewide child care and home-visiting infrastructure as Deputy Secretary for the Early Childhood Education and Care Department.
Ensuring equitable pay for ECE educators (Oregon): Designed and implemented landmark educator pay parity models for Head Start/Early Head Start programs, establishing a new national standard for a state's role in compensation.
Using Policy to Move Systems (District of Columbia): Co-authored and secured the passage of the Birth-to-Three For All Act, creating a systemic framework for infant-toddler care and EC educator wage equity.

Section dividing with three gold diamonds

Select Perspectives & Contributions

I love telling the story of our field, and about the work I've been lucky to be a part of making happen. Media I've contributed to include:

Vox | Quoted in: "The mission accomplished problem haunting child care advocates"
NPR / Marketplace | Interviewed in: "Public spending on preschool hasn't gone up in two decades"
Houston Chronicle | Quoted in: "Free child care coming to 1,000 Harris County families"

Get in Touch

Schedule a brief consultation for an introduction or catch-up, email me if you have a question about my previous or current work, or connect with me on LinkedIn.