Currently fully engaged through Q1 of 2026. Accepting peer inquiries and future-focused project discussions.
Grounded in lineage. Focused on systems-level impact.
Nohkum Consulting is the independent consulting business of Sara Mickelson. My work focuses on supporting public-sector and non-profit clients in improving the lives of families and children by transforming the early care and education (ECE) space.
The Nohkum Story
Named for my grandmother (nohkum/nohkom means "my grandma" in Cree), my consulting practice is built on the idea that innovation and change are possible and should be done through a lens of relational accountability.To make this happen, I bring my years of leading in the public sector and my belief that all solutions must be adapted to my clients' unique context. I also believe that anyone who can make big change in the ECE space should do so with community and with a deep curiosity of how to best create long-term change for many generations ahead.
Consulting Work
I function as an independent consultant and as part of a consulting team with long-standing, beloved colleagues (e.g., Shoreline Consulting, Jeong Collective).I enjoy working with a variety of clients to apply my policy and implementation expertise across diverse contexts. Current and past clients in my independent consultancy include:
The Early Childhood Investment Corporation (Michigan)
Watershed Advisors
BUILD Initiative
New Mexico Early Childhood Funders Alliance
Experience
Prior to consulting, I had the opportunity to lead large-scale change in ECE systems across the country. Some of the work I'm proudest of includes:
Systems Transformation (New Mexico): Architected the transition to Universal PreK and led the expansion of statewide child care and home-visiting infrastructure as Deputy Secretary for the Early Childhood Education and Care Department.
Pay Equity for EC Educators (Oregon): Designed and implemented landmark educator pay parity models for Head Start/Early Head Start programs, establishing a new national standard for a state's role in compensation.
Policy as a Catalyst (District of Columbia): Co-authored and secured the passage of the Birth-to-Three For All Act, creating a systemic framework for infant-toddler care and EC educator wage equity.
Select Perspectives & Contributions
I love telling the story of our field, and about the work I've been lucky to be part of. A selection of media I've been fortunate to contribute to is included below:
Vox | Quoted in: "The mission accomplished problem haunting child care advocates"
NPR / Marketplace | Interviewed in: "Public spending on preschool hasn't gone up in two decades"
Houston Chronicle | Quoted in: "Free child care coming to 1,000 Harris County families"
Get in Touch
Schedule a brief consultation, email me if you have a question about my previous or current work, or connect with me on LinkedIn.
