Elkin Consulting is an independent, woman-owned firm based outside of Portland, Maine. Depending on the specific needs of each project, and in discussion with each client, we may recommend engaging additional consultants to assist with research, graphic design, communications, evaluation, editing, or specific content expertise.
Suzanna Elkin, PhD
Founder/owner Suzanna Elkin is a social science researcher and educator with over 15 years of experience in public health and education research, planning, and evaluation. Her strengths are in effective communication with diverse partners, collaborative program planning using approaches that encourage participation, and use of mixed-methods data collection and analysis to facilitate community-based research and evaluation.
Suzanna has worked as a health educator, researcher, and program manager at public health and education initiatives in this country and internationally. She has also developed nutrition education curriculum for the USDA and Johns Hopkins and taught undergraduate public health courses. She holds a BA in Community Health from Brown University and a PhD in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Vermont.
Suzanna recently returned to live and work in her home state of Maine, where she enjoys hiking, skiing, gardening, and spending time with her family.
"We sought Suzanna’s help to complete a statewide needs assessment and to guide MaineCF to areas where we might focus our energy and make a difference. It was an enormous undertaking, but Suzanna made our needs assessment process a resounding success. She guided the work with a critical and helpful eye, kept multiple workflows moving ahead smoothly, communicated clearly and promptly, and was adaptable when challenges arose. The final report was clear, helpful, and will guide our work for the foreseeable future. She was a wonderful partner to the work."
— Cherie Galyean, Maine Community Foundation
"From start to finish, Elkin Consulting provided exceptional, high quality and customized services to ensure that we met our project goals. Suzanna took time to fully understand the scope of the project and provided unparalleled communication with our leadership team. Working with a unique island community, her approach was culturally sensitive and attentive. Her exceptional skills as a social science researcher, sensitive engagement with the community, and high standards in her work made the needs assessment project successful beyond our expectations. We can offer only the highest recommendation for Elkin Consulting.”
— Geoffry Phillips McEnany, Peaks Island Health Association
I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside Suzanna on multiple strategic planning projects, and she was truly a dream collaborator. Her research was rigorous, her presentations were clear and compelling, and her facilitation skills consistently created productive, inclusive conversations. She combines sharp analytical thinking with emotional intelligence in a way that makes complex work feel manageable and even energizing.
—Galen Ellis, Ellis Planning Associates, Inc.