Spork Consulting helps communities, nonprofits, and agencies turn ideas into practical outcomes. We specialize in food systems, climate resilience, and systems thinking—offering strategic facilitation, research, and project support to help partners meet goals and fill capacity gaps.

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Based in Anchorage, Alaska and founded in 2014, Spork is a small, agile consulting firm known for its ability to pivot quickly and develop individualized approaches for each project. Our size allows us to stay flexible, responsive, and highly tailored—adapting to meet the specific context, needs, and priorities of every client.

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We’ve supported work across Alaska and the Lower 48, with clients including rural tribal governments, regional coalitions, statewide nonprofits, and public agencies. Whether the focus is strengthening local food systems, delivering on project commitments, or advancing collaborative efforts, we provide place-based, results-oriented support.

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Our approach is shaped by years of hands-on experience working across diverse geographies, communities, and priorities—particularly in Alaska’s often complex and rapidly changing landscapes.

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Our Core Services

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Systems Thinking || Big-picture strategy that connects issues, people, and opportunities across complex systems.

 

Food Security Strategy || Designing and supporting local food systems that are sustainable, culturally relevant, and community-driven.

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Research & Reporting || Conducting participatory research, feasibility studies, and systems mapping to inform effective decisions and track progress.

 

Climate Resilience Planning || Helping communities and organizations adapt to environmental change through place-based planning and policy support.

 

Facilitation & Community Engagement || Guiding productive, inclusive processes that bring diverse voices together to shape shared solutions.

 

Grant Writing & Fundraising Strategy || Identifying funding opportunities, building strategic partnerships, and developing strong proposals.

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The Team

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Melissa Heuer, Principal Consultant || Melissa brings over 20 years of experience in systems thinking, food security, and project strategy. Her work focuses on helping partners design and implement place-based, actionable solutions across a range of interconnected challenges, including food systems, climate resilience, community planning, and capacity building throughout Alaska’s diverse geographies—from remote coastal villages to interior communities and urban hubs.

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She holds a BS in Biology from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, an MBA in Systems Thinking from the Bainbridge Graduate Institute, and a Master’s Certificate in the Business and Dynamics of Food and Agriculture. Her expertise includes facilitation, funding strategy, systems mapping, and managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects across Alaska.​ In addition to leading Spork, Melissa has held leadership roles in both executive and financial capacities, contributing to successful community-driven initiatives and helping organizations strengthen their programs, partnerships, and funding strategies.

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Ian Blake, Data & Evaluation Lead || Ian holds an M.Sc. in Statistics from Northwestern University and has extensive experience providing research and analytical support across fisheries, environmental science, education, psychology, and health sectors.

With a research background in fisheries sampling and demography, Ian is passionate about using accurate, thoughtful analysis to support decision-making in Alaska. He is proficient in R, SAS, and other statistical tools, and brings a lifelong familiarity with Alaska’s landscape and communities to his work.

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Project-Specific Consultants || In addition to our core team, Spork Consulting regularly collaborates with a network of project-specific consultants to meet the unique needs of each initiative. If you're interested in partnering or bringing your expertise to future projects, we’d love to hear from you—please reach out and share your skills and background.

 

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