About Heidi

Heidi Marlinghaus is the founder and lead consultant of EQQE Consulting. She partners with organizations to build the capacity of leaders and teams to communicate, collaborate, and lead effectively so people perform at their highest potential and organizations thrive.

Drawing on expertise in organizational development, emotional intelligence, leadership development, and collaborative facilitation, Heidi helps organizations strengthen workplace culture, navigate change, engage stakeholders, and create practical strategies that lead to lasting results. Her work is grounded in the belief that sustainable organizational success begins with strong relationships, clear communication, and leadership at every level.

Heidi is the co-creator of the A T.R.A.I.L. of Conversations frameworks, a collection of collaborative processes rooted in Appreciative Inquiry, emotional intelligence, and strengths-based practices. She also co-founded ThriveCycle, where she helps individuals better understand, prevent, and recover from burnout through practical, research-informed approaches that support long-term well-being and performance.

Before founding EQQE, Heidi spent twelve years as an elementary educator, where she developed a deep understanding of learning, collaboration, and systems that support both people and performance. That foundation continues to shape her work with leaders and teams across education, business, nonprofit, healthcare, government, and community organizations.

Based in Bend, Oregon, Heidi works with organizations throughout the United States to build healthier workplaces, stronger leadership, and collaborative cultures where both people and organizations can thrive.

How EQQE Started

EQQE began with a simple observation: when people feel connected, supported, and empowered to contribute, both they and the organizations they serve thrive.

While teaching elementary school, Heidi Marlinghaus spent years studying child development, neuroscience, emotional intelligence, and collaborative learning. She saw firsthand what was possible when schools intentionally created environments where people felt valued, trusted, and equipped to succeed. Those experiences sparked a deeper question: Why weren't more organizations designed to help people thrive?

As Heidi worked alongside educators and leaders, she noticed a common pattern. Talented people had the passion and expertise to make a difference, yet communication barriers, siloed systems, unclear processes, and traditional leadership structures often prevented them from working together effectively. Over time, she realized these challenges weren't unique to education. The same patterns existed in businesses, nonprofit organizations, healthcare, government, and community organizations.

Driven by a desire to create broader organizational impact, Heidi left the classroom in 2019 to focus on helping leaders and teams build healthier, more collaborative organizations. She co-founded a consulting group in the California Bay Area before launching EQQE Consulting in Bend, Oregon, where she expanded her work across sectors.

Today, EQQE partners with organizations to build the capacity of leaders and teams to communicate, collaborate, and lead effectively so people perform at their highest potential and organizations thrive. Whether facilitating strategic planning, strengthening leadership, engaging stakeholders, or guiding organizational change, EQQE helps organizations create the conditions where both people and performance can flourish.