When Hannah Tomeo attended ToP® Facilitation Methods training earlier this year with HueLife, she didn’t expect it would become a tool she’d use nearly every day. But since returning home, she has applied the methods across a wide range of projects, helping rural youth, elders, educators, and healthcare leaders create community-driven solutions.
In her role at Washington State University, Hannah coordinates programs that support rural students, in pursuing pathways to healthcare careers. Each community she works with brings its own unique strengths, priorities, and visions for the future. “I knew there would be differences,” Hannah says, “but I didn’t realize how different the goals and resources would be from one community to the next.”
The structured facilitation tools gave Hannah confidence to guide conversations without prescribing solutions. “I was nervous at first, especially sitting with leaders and elders I’ve looked up to my whole life,” she shares. “But ToP gave me a way to help them pull their own ideas forward, rather than feeling like I had to have all the answers.”
One standout moment involved a tribal youth council, where teens brought energy, honesty, and insight into what their community needs. Using the facilitation methods, Hannah was able to help them organize their ideas and co-design a youth-led program that’s in the development process.
“It’s been incredible to see how quickly youth can identify what’s missing, brainstorm solutions, and build something that’s sustainable”
Beyond her work at WSU, Hannah has even applied facilitation tools in her personal life, including organizing her own bachelorette trip. “It worked amazingly well to get everyone on the same page,” she laughs.
Ultimately, Hannah sees facilitation not just as a skill, but as a way to serve her community. “This work has taught me that leadership isn’t always about standing up front. Sometimes it’s about stepping back and helping others discover their own solutions.”
For Hannah, effective facilitation is as much about honoring people’s time as it is about guiding a process. Whether working with youth, elders, or cross-sector leaders, she’s seen firsthand how structured methods like ToP® create space for meaningful participation while keeping the work efficient, focused, and community-owned.
“The cool thing about ToP® facilitation is that it helps us get so much work done in a shorter amount of time, where you’re also valuing the people that are volunteering, the people that are working with you, and their time, their families.“
Hannah’s facilitation journey continues to grow beyond her local community. This year, she’ll also be volunteering with HueLife team members for the global Youth Summit project in Zimbabwe, supporting young leaders through cross-cultural dialogue and community-driven learning. You can follow more of Hannah’s journey on LinkedIn as she continues applying facilitation to serve communities both at home and abroad.
As Hannah’s story demonstrates, facilitation is not just about running meetings. It’s about creating space for every voice, building trust, and moving forward together.
Interested in learning how to apply facilitation skills like Hannah?
? Explore upcoming ToP Facilitation Methods courses with HueLife
Do you have a meeting, workshop, or event coming up that you are facilitating and need advice on? Would you have won a gold medal for your amazing facilitation and think others could benefit from learning what you did?
Our FREE monthly Community of Practice is the perfect space to learn, share, and grow together! It’s kind of like free professional development. You don’t have to be a formal facilitator – if you are convening groups, leading meetings, or implementing projects and plans, this is a valuable time to get advice, give advice, and learn from members of the HueLife community. After all, HUE is all about human understanding and engagement!
? When: Every fourth Wednesday of the month* from 2:00–3:00 p.m. CT
? Where: Online via Zoom
* Exception: In July and December when we will not host our traditional virtual Community of Practice. Instead, we will host special hybrid events based in Minneapolis where you will have an opportunity to learn and network in person!
Bring your real-world challenges and questions—whether they’re broad (“How do I improve my facilitation skills?”) or specific (“I’m facilitating ____ and need advice on using ____ method.”)—and gain insights from a community eager to support and learn from one another.
Even if you’re just curious about facilitation, you’re welcome to join!
We look forward to seeing you in the Zoom room!
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