About Fetter Advisory

My career has always centered on understanding people, systems, and the decisions that shape meaningful outcomes.

After more than a decade working directly with clients and small businesses, I pursued graduate study in public policy to better understand how organizations make decisions, communicate change, and solve complex challenges.

During graduate school, I focused on organizational research, stakeholder engagement, administrative burden, communication, and public systems. My research earned recognition at Colorado State University's Graduate Showcase and strengthened my belief that thoughtful research should lead to practical action—not sit on a shelf.

Today, I bring that same research-driven approach to organizations seeking greater clarity, stronger systems, and sustainable growth.

Water is where I learned that the hardest part of a good project is rarely the technical part. In a research partnership with the City of Fort Collins, I studied how the city communicates with mobile home park residents about water quality. Residents experienced one confusing system, even though responsibility was split across several. That taught me to look for the seams.

I care about water being fair, which means the residents who are hardest to reach are still heard. I also run a business, so I hold my work to the same test I ask of my clients: does it work for people, for the place, and for the bottom line? I try to make the table longer, so more people have a seat at it.

Education

Master of Public Policy

Colorado State University

Graduate Certificate

Water Resources

Bachelor of Arts

Environmental Sociology

Environmental Affairs

Global Environmental Sustainability

Recognition

Jackie's research background spans environmental sociology, public policy, stakeholder engagement, communication, and water resources. Her work examines how people experience complex systems—and how research can help organizations make those systems more understandable, accessible, and effective.

Top Scholar — Scholarly/Research-Based Scholarship Award
Colorado State University College of Liberal Arts, Graduate Showcase 2024

Leadership & Community Impact

Jackie's work has long centered on a common question: How do you bring people together around something that matters and turn good intentions into meaningful action?

That commitment has extended beyond her academic and professional work into community leadership.

Community-Led Flood Recovery

Following devastating flooding in Colorado, Jackie organized a grassroots recovery effort that mobilized approximately 5,000 volunteers within three hours and continued operating for 10 days to support affected residents and recovery efforts.

What began as an immediate response grew into a coordinated community initiative—requiring rapid communication, volunteer mobilization, resource coordination, problem-solving, and leadership under constantly changing conditions.

The effort was later recognized with a city award for its contribution to the community.

The experience reinforced a principle that continues to shape Jackie's work today: people are often remarkably willing to participate and help when they understand what is needed and have a clear way to contribute.

Creating Spaces for Women to Connect

Jackie has also organized and facilitated events with over 175 attendees designed to bring women together for connection, community, and shared experience.

These gatherings grew from a belief that meaningful communities don't happen simply because people occupy the same space. They are created intentionally—by making it easier for people to participate, connect with one another, and feel that they belong.

That work further shaped Jackie's interest in human behavior, communication, participation, trust, and the conditions that move people from passive interest to active engagement.

A Common Thread

At first glance, flood recovery, women's community events, public-policy research, and organizational advisory may appear to be very different work.

The common thread is people.

Understanding what people need. Asking better questions. Creating structures that make participation easier. Identifying barriers. Communicating clearly. And turning insight into action.

Those experiences, together with Jackie's research and policy training, inform the approach behind Fetter Advisory today.

Experience That Shapes My Perspective

• Organizational research

• Public policy

• Strategic communication

• Stakeholder engagement

• Client relationship management

• Business operations

• Leadership and volunteer coordination

My Philosophy

Good strategy begins with good questions.

Organizations already possess many of the answers they need.

The challenge is creating enough clarity to recognize patterns, align people, and make confident decisions.

I believe research should produce action, systems should support people, and strategy shoMy Philosophyuld create lasting value—not unnecessary complexity.

Why Organizations Choose Fetter Advisory

• You get research, not opinion. Interviews and evidence sit behind every recommendation.

• You get a plan in plain language, not a binder.

• You know where you stand. Every engagement has a baseline and checkpoints.

• You can start small. Begin with the Growth Roadmap or an Assessment, and decide how far to go.

• You get someone who understands both sides of public work: how cities and utilities decide, and how residents experience those decisions.

Values

Curiosity. Understanding before recommending.

Integrity. Honest guidance, even when it is difficult.

Practicality. Research that ends in something you can act on.

Partnership. Working alongside your team, not handing over a report and leaving.

Every engagement starts with a baseline and clear measures of success, and we check progress at 30, 60, and 90 days. I would rather show you what changed than tell you it went well.

Let's start a conversation.

If your organization is navigating growth, change, or complexity, I'd welcome the opportunity to learn more.