Consulting Services
I offer my gifts to support arts and social justice organizations to ignite joy through transformation.
Facilitation
My approach to facilitation is holding intentional space with others to steward a collective and participatory process. My facilitative leadership is informed by lived experience as a Queer Chicana, my personal healing journey and professional experiences.
As someone committed to being anti-racist and with multiple oppressed identities, I do not remain neutral when oppressive dynamics and/or harm toward marginalized people arises when I facilitate. I take time to slow down the process, understand the impact of the situation, and find the best restorative path forward. Similarly, when conflict or tension surface, I address it directly in a way that still maintains the integrity of everyone involved and the collective space.
I always begin with being attentive to the needs of the people I am facilitating. I take time to notice the energy, dynamics between people, what needs to be prioritized and remain attuned to what is incomplete. I do my best to create spaces that are calm and grounding, so people feel at ease to participate in whatever is before us while also creating a process for folks to follow through on personal and collective commitments. A major component of my facilitation is creating opportunities for equitable participation. It is important to me that everyone feels that they are heard and seen. This often leads me to incorporate a range of activities in spaces I curate so people of all learning styles leave with a meaningful experience.
Clients often partner with me for facilitation services such as: Staff and Board Development Sessions and Retreats. I am currently accepting a limited number of clients each month so if you are interested in partnering sign up for an interest call as soon as possible.
Organizational Development
As an organizer, I learned many hard skills and tactics allowing me to be a part of major systemic change for our communities. My experience from my work as an organizer to nonprofit director taught me invaluable lessons on how to build, develop sustainable organizations and programs that work powerfully and effectively.
One of the most important lesson of organizing is that our power is in relationships. Understanding the state and depth of our connections with others is fundamental in knowing what is our collective capacity to make change happen.
Change is constant. Yet, embracing change is not always easy. As a consultant working with a variety of arts and social justice nonprofit organizations, I often start with listening to understand what changes or challenges my client is facing. From there, we clarify what are essential needs and I intentionally share how I can apply my unique skillset and expertise. My ultimate goal is for my clients to feel more courageous to embrace whatever kind of change is before them and empowered with their team to make effective decisions, accomplish mission aligned goals, and find joy in the process.
Board Development
Basics of Governance
Board Roles & Responsibilities
Governance Infrastructure Assessment
Program Development
Coalition Building
Community Engagement
Community Organizing
Strategic Planning
Clarifying Roles & Responsibilities
Mission Re-alignment
Organizational Work Plans
Assessment of Organizational Policies & Procedures