Launched in 2010, Peak Facilitation Group is a small business devoted to conflict resolution and rooted in reality. Her previous work in the field taught founder Heather Bergman that while most groups can find agreement, all groups benefit from respectful dialogue. Plus, she has a gift for barking orders or gently nipping at a group's heels…whichever is required.
“Heather could break up a fight in a biker bar.” —Gary Barber / Pikes Peak Regional Water Authority
Heather Bergman
Senior Facilitator and President
Heather Bergman facilitates and mediates complex public policy deliberations on a variety of substantive issues, including water quality, water quantity, watershed protection and restoration, land use planning, and public lands management. These collaborative negotiations and discussions involve diverse stakeholders from federal and state agencies, local municipalities, advocacy organizations, ranchers, farmers, community residents, and the public at large.
Much of Heather's work portfolio focuses on high-conflict collaborative processes, and her strength is helping diverse and often opposing participants find common ground. Heather also has an extensive background in designing and managing retreats, workshops, and public outreach meetings for teams and organizations in need of a targeted process for achieving their goals. Heather uses humor to defuse tense situations, help participants feel at ease, move beyond initial barriers, and find consensus.
Samuel Wallace
Associate
Samuel Wallace is an Associate at Peak Facilitation with a background in collaborative stakeholder engagement and public participation strategy, particularly as it relates to natural resource planning. At Peak, he works with clients to accurately write meeting summaries and provide logistical and informational support for groups such as the Forest Health Advisory Committee, the Front Range Roundtable, the Interbasin Compact Committee, and the South Platte River Urban Waters Partnership.
Throughout his academic and professional career, Samuel has sought to address complex environmental issues by using collaborative techniques. As an AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteer at Purgatoire Watershed Partnership, a watershed-focused non-profit located in southern Colorado, he worked with a multi-interest stakeholder group which included local municipalities, ranchers, development groups, federal and state agencies, recreationists, and conservationists to approach problems facing the watershed. Following this experience, he moved back to Denver where he is currently pursuing a MA in conflict resolution at the University of Denver. He earned his bachelor's degree at the University of Michigan in environmental studies and political science.
Lauren Cortez French
Associate
As an Associate at Peak Facilitation, Lauren supports effective, outcome-based collaboration through clear and concise technical writing, comprehensive meeting planning, and intentional, prompt stakeholder communication. Lauren earned a B.S. in Biology and Environmental Science and Policy from the College of William & Mary in 2022 and a master's degree from the University of Washington's School of Marine and Environmental Affairs in 2024. Through her coursework and previous work experience, she has developed a broad background in water, wildfire, and land use issues. Lauren strives to maintain momentum in the collaborative process by identifying points of connection between stakeholders, documenting key themes and decisions, ensuring actionable next steps are completed, and developing creative solutions to help stakeholders move past roadblocks.
Nadia Janis
Associate
As an Associate at Peak Facilitation Group, Nadia brings experience in climate planning, transportation and energy policy, and community engagement to support collaborative natural resource and policy processes. At Peak, she contributes to meeting design, documentation, and coordination, helping groups clearly track discussions, understand key information, and move collectively toward shared decisions.
Nadia’s interest in collaborative approaches developed through her work supporting cross-sector projects focused on sustainability, mobility, and community resilience. Her work has included facilitating working groups, coordinating stakeholder communications, and preparing accessible materials that bridge technical and community perspectives. These experiences have shaped her commitment to creating clear, organized, and inclusive processes that help people work through complex issues. She holds a Master of the Environment degree from the University of Colorado Boulder and a B.S. in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management from the University of Minnesota.