A close look at how you work
We interview your leaders, read what your organization has written about itself, and show you why things work the way they do, then check that picture with you.
Strategy and leadership
An honest outside view, and a partner who stays to help you through change
When a leader changes, the structure shifts, or a team stops working well together, it helps to have someone outside who sees the whole picture. We work with nonprofits, universities, and other mission-driven organizations to understand what’s going on, then stay to help your people work through it.
What we take on
Start with the people doing the work
A new leader brings a new way of working, so we help them find the approach that fits who they are, and we help your whole team through the transition.
We sit down with your leaders and staff one at a time to find where the work keeps getting stuck between people, and then we help you sort it out together.
When your organization changes shape, we plan the move with your leaders and make sure the people who stay have what they need to keep working.
We design the path people take into leadership with you, from their first interest to the day they're ready to lead, and the mentoring that walks them through it.
We shape a new program with your leaders, from who it will serve and how people join to how you'll know it's doing what you hoped.
We help your leaders and board agree on who decides what and write it down, so everyone in your organization works from the same picture of how it should run.
What you get
Work that holds after we step back
Help that doesn't stop at a report
Once we see what needs fixing, we meet with your team regularly and work through each issue with you until it's settled.
The right people in the right roles
We work with your HR team to write each role around the gaps you actually have, and help you budget for what your staff needs.
Systems that fit how you work
When a tool, a database, or a report is what's holding your team back, we fix it ourselves rather than leave you with a recommendation.
Training for your whole team
LeadersPath, our training service, runs small, hands-on courses where the people on your team learn to use AI in their own work, measured against your mission.
A team that carries it forward
We write down how everything we built works and train the people who run it, so your team keeps it going for years.
How we work
A small team that listens first
You work with a small team that sits down with your leaders and staff, one conversation at a time, before drawing any conclusions. We use AI to bring those conversations together with your own documents, so we can see how everything connects, then bring what we see back to you to test against what you know. When the picture is clear, we do the work right alongside you.
Understand before we change anything.
We want to see everything that shapes your work before we suggest anything.
It's about people.
What holds an organization back is usually how people work together, so we start there.
Honest, and on your side.
We tell you what we see, affirm what's working, and help you fix what isn't.
Who it's for
Organizations ready for an outside view
Our strategy and leadership work fits organizations going through change, led by people who want a clear outside view and are ready to act on what it shows, alongside their board and staff. It works best as a long relationship, because the more we know your organization, the more we can help you see. We've done this work for a neighborhood dream center and for a restoration nonprofit working across several countries.
Read Field Notes about strategy and leadershipOrganizations we've worked with on strategy and leadership
How to start
Before you call
Before you call, it helps to know what has to change and who in your leadership is ready to work on it. Expect us to ask why: whatever you first come to us for, we’ll want to understand what’s behind the request, because that’s usually where the work is.
A conversation
FreeWe learn about your organization, your leaders, and what you're hoping for.
Groundwork
PaidWe set what the work covers and where it stops, and you get a plan and a price.
Listen and understand
We interview your leaders and staff, then check what we learn with you.
Do the work together
We stay with your team on each piece until it's in place and your people own it.
Your turn
Is something shifting in your organization? Tell us what's happening, even if you can't name the problem yet. We'll help you see it clearly.
Start a Project