Strategic Career & Workforce Advisory
Acorn Avenue Consulting
We support organizations working in career development, education, and workforce-related spaces to think clearly, plan wisely, and move forward with confidence, especially in moments of complexity, change, or uncertainty.
About Us:
Acorn Avenue Consulting was founded on the belief that good decisions take time, care, and clear thinking, especially when people, learning, and work intersect.
Our approach is grounded in:
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Career development theory and practice
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Educational psychology and adult learning
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Systems thinking and reflective decision-making
We work alongside organizations as a strategic thinking partner, helping make sense of complexity, connect ideas, and design approaches that are both thoughtful and practical.
What we do
Acorn Avenue provides strategic advisory support to help organizations:
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Think through complex people and program decisions: When the “right” answer isn’t obvious, we help surface assumptions, weigh trade-offs, and clarify direction.
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Design frameworks, processes, and strategy: From career development models to internal processes, we help create structures that are thoughtful, usable, and grounded in real-world practice.
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Make sense of change and uncertainty: Whether navigating shifting workforce needs, program redesign, or evolving expectations, we support reflective decision-making in uncertain contexts.
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Strengthen career development offerings: We bring evidence-informed insight from career development theory, adult learning, and educational psychology to enhance programs, services, and systems.
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Our role is not to tell you what to do, but to help you think better about what you’re doing and why.
Who we work with:
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Organizations delivering career development or employment services
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Educational institutions and training providers
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Workforce development and community organizations
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Leaders and teams responsible for people, programs, or strategy
Engagements may include advisory conversations, strategy development, framework design, or reflective planning support.
Jessica McKenna
Lead Strategist and Founder
I’m Jessica McKenna, founder of Acorn Avenue Consulting.
My background spans career development, education, and organizational support, with formal training in educational psychology and extensive experience working with individuals, teams, and programs focused on learning, work, and transition.
I’m particularly interested in:
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How adults learn, change, and make decisions
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How systems and processes shape people’s experiences
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How career development and workforce programs can be designed more intentionally and sustainably
My work style is reflective, analytical, and collaborative. I ask careful questions, surface patterns, and help organizations slow down enough to see what’s really going on, so they can move forward with greater clarity and confidence.
Get in Touch
If you’re exploring a new direction, redesigning a program, or navigating complex workforce or learning-related decisions, I’d be glad to connect.
You’re welcome to reach out to:
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Ask a question
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Explore a potential collaboration
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Start a conversation about your organization’s needs
There’s no pressure or pitch, just a thoughtful conversation to see if working together makes sense.