Owner, Consultant
Next Step Global Consulting
Arcata, CA, USA
gmclyn@gmail.com
Industry: Business Services
Field: Educational Consulting

When looking up the word “diverse” in the dictionary, it’s easy to envision the name Marilyn A. Bennett front and center. With expertise in education, mediation, and community learning, Dr. Bennett has been going strong in her career for nearly four decades. During this time, she has traveled extensively to different places, and while her interaction with different cultures has undoubtedly made her a better educator, she believes that her experiences have also made her a better person. As the owner of Next Step Global Consulting, providing consulting services for recreation, disaster preparedness, life coaching, and organizational leadership for parents and children, Dr. Bennett wears a variety of hats. She draws upon her broad-based research and development skills as she works with county officers, teaches special education, organizes physical education programs for children, and oversees the development of manuals.

In her position of overseeing Next Step Global Consulting, Dr. Bennett feels the most satisfaction when she is working with students and helping to solve their problems. When embarking on the journey that has landed her where she is today, Dr. Bennett became a persistent seeker of higher education. In 1973, she earned a bachelor’s degree in health, recreation and physical education, and motor development from Humboldt State University, which she followed three short years later with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the same institution. Additionally, Dr. Bennett holds a master’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in kinesiology, both from Humboldt State University, along with a doctoral degree in organizational leadership from the University of La Verne. A licensed counseling psychologist, she also earned certification in preschool, elementary and secondary education teaching in 1974 and became a certified mediator in 1998.

Dr. Bennett volunteers her time to several nonprofit organizations, including a local blood bank, The American Red Cross, the American Heart Association, the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Special Olympics. She also serves as a facilitator at St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka, Calif. In recognition of her services, she was named Volunteer of the Year by the American Heart Association in1998 and was given the Eudora Welty Memorial Award by The American Red Cross in 2003. A member of IBC and ABI, she feels fortunate to have the opportunity to serve as an Ambassador Representative of the United States for the World Forum, a gathering she looks forward to attending each year. As the years progress, Dr. Bennett hopes to continue providing consulting services and making presentations on mediation.

Conversation with Marilyn A. Bennett, M.A., M.S., Ed.D.

Worldwide Publishing: What characteristics help to separate you from your competitors?

Marilyn A. Bennett: I am eclectic and I have a have a depth of information, experiences and resources.

On what topic(s) do you consider yourself to be an expert?

Education, psychology and mediation.

What motivates you?

I had wonderful loving parents who taught me many traits. My father said I raised myself, because I would be harder on myself than anyone else. Many of my values and standards that I live by came from my parents. They valued education very much. They taught me to take the initiative so when there was a challenge or an opportunity, I would go forward.

What lessons have you learned as a professional in your field?

Treat people with respect and they will respect you. You should always listen first before you speak.

What short-term and long-term career goals are you currently pursuing?

I am in international investments and I look forward to the World Forum each year, which is by invitation only. I want to travel more. I want to continue to serve on committees and represent the United States and meet new people and cultures. I have been invited to be a speaker on the science symposium panel, which will take place at the University of Oxford in London.

I also want to utilize my experiences and education. In my retirement, I would like to work more in global consulting.

What is the most difficult obstacle or challenge you have faced in pursuit of your goals?

There have been political obstacles.

What do you find to be the most rewarding aspect of your profession?

Taking my outlook on how to handle life and my education and use it in my profession, and then taking the profession and using it to help my parents with their health care. Also, my ability to follow my intuition.