715-207-9053
About Us
Our Story
Dedicated to Positively Impacting Your Community's Health and Well-Being.
Impact Community Planning Group was founded out of a deep commitment to addressing the complex challenges faced by communities. Dorothy’s journey began after she completed her master’s degree in adult education, during which she volunteered with Frontier College, helping incarcerated women learn to read. In that prison setting, Dorothy witnessed the profound impact of substance use on families and recognized that health disparities play a critical role in addiction.
​
Her passion for supporting individuals and improving community health led her from the small village of Terrance Bay, Nova Scotia, to the U.S., where she served as the State Executive Director of MADD in Minnesota. By 2006, she had moved to Wisconsin, continuing her work in community health improvement, and eventually joining Marshfield Clinic. Dorothy's influence extended further as she served on both state and national boards, including chairing the Wisconsin State Council on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse workgroup, which published critical recommendations regarding the opioid crisis.
​
In 2012, Dorothy founded Impact Community Planning Group, which has grown to serve communities nationwide. With expertise in community organizing, data analysis, collective impact, and the Strategic Prevention Framework, Impact Community Planning Group has become a recognized leader in coalition building, addressing health disparities, and developing environmental strategies and policies. The organization is also a trusted partner in strategic planning, helping communities effectively invest and evaluate the impact of opioid abatement funds.
In 2024, Impact Community Planning Group expanded its reach by bringing on Linda Conlon as a principal consultant. Linda holds a Bachelor's in Nursing and a Master's in Public Health. With 30 years of experience leading local public health initiatives, she specializes in Public Health Accreditation, Quality Improvement, Performance Management, Workforce Development, Change Management, Policy Development, and Strategic Planning. Her deep dedication to public health and improving community outcomes has been the cornerstone of her career. Linda’s leadership has consistently driven transformative change, ensuring that public health systems are more efficient, equitable, and resilient. By integrating her expertise, Impact Community Planning Group strengthens its ability to tackle pressing health challenges, further empowering communities to thrive. Linda's commitment to fostering healthier environments aligns perfectly with Impact's mission, making her an invaluable addition to the team as the organization continues its work across the nation.
​
As community problem solvers and expert relationship builders, Impact Community Planning Group is dedicated to creating a healthier world—one community at a time.
Dorothy Chaney
Founder /Owner
Dorothy Chaney, M.Ed., is the Founder of Impact Community Planning Group, an organization dedicated to assisting coalitions, agencies, and individuals in enhancing the well-being of their communities and the surrounding environments. In addition to her role as a master trainer with the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA), Dorothy actively works on a national and international scale to promote the establishment of community coalitions that tackle various health concerns such as substance use prevention, problem gambling, and other emerging health issues. Dorothy's commitment lies in promoting equity in community health by collaborating with communities both domestically and internationally to address health disparities and facilitate the development of local solutions for complex problems. With over 20 years of experience, Dorothy has been extensively involved in working with community-based coalitions to mitigate the impact of substance use on young people and families. Furthermore, she collaborates with health systems and public health departments to integrate collective impact strategies into the formulation of Community Health Needs Assessments and Community Health Improvement Plans. Additionally, Dorothy takes pride in being part of the Carlton Hall Consulting team, where she contributes her expertise to support communities and coalitions in creating healthier communities.
Linda Conlon
Principal Consultant
Linda Conlon, MPH, BAN, RN, Principal Consultant with Impact Community Planning Group has led a distinguished career in public health. Linda brings over 30 years of leadership experience. As Director and Health Officer of the Oneida County Health Department, Linda has become known for her work in strategic planning, policy development, and performance management. She has successfully guided her department through national public health accreditation, becoming one of the first health departments in the nation to achieve this status. Her expertise includes community organizing, quality improvement, and public speaking, with a focus on building strong partnerships across community, academic, and governmental sectors. Her extensive background working with these sectors, enables her to approach challenges with a collaborative and results-driven mindset. Linda holds a Master of Public Health degree and a Bachelor of Arts in Nursing, with a long track record of public health leadership. She has served in multiple national and state-level leadership roles, including President of the Wisconsin Public Health Association (WPHA), President and Secretary of Wisconsin Association of Local Health Departments and Boards (WALHDAB) and has partnered with the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) on several speaking engagements. An advocate and leader in public health accreditation, Linda is committed to mentoring the next generation of public health professionals and helping communities thrive through effective public health strategies.s.
