FOR ORGANIZATIONS
Consulting supports building the structures, cultures, and strategies vital to your purpose
I’m passionate about this work because I’ve seen how often committed people, good values, and an important mission are derailed by unhealthy power dynamics, broken processes, and unspoken agreements. After 25+ years with foundations and nonprofits, I’ve come to believe structures and culture deserve as much attention as strategy. As the Just Transition Framework puts it, “if we’re not prepared to govern, we are not prepared to win.”
Shared Leadership and Liberatory Governance
Aligning structures and practices with your values
Many organizations are trying new ways of leading, managing, and governing - to varying degrees of success. Having supported dozens of organizations through governance transitions — and having led a worker self-directed nonprofit myself — I bring hard-won, practical experience to what can otherwise be an overwhelming process.
Equity in Philanthropy
Helping grantmakers align their practices with their values
I have designed and facilitated leadership cohorts, workshops, and multi-year organizational transformation journeys specifically for philanthropic institutions seeking to embed racial justice, equity, and values-aligned practices into every aspect of their work. I take on one client per year for deep organizational accompaniment, and am available for mentorship and targeted support.
Team Culture Building
Setting foundations for healthy and effective teams
Organizational and team culture can make or break your organization's ability to navigate uncertainty, make strategic decisions, and have impact. I can help teams - especially remote and hybrid teams - in strengthening communication and decision-making skills, improving conflict literacy, and understanding and navigating power with care.
Vision, Values, and Purpose
A participatory and narrative approach
Some of my favorite work is helping organizations come to a shared vision, statement of purpose, and set of values. With these components of an organizational identity set in a participatory and comprehensive manner, strategy and culture work can flow. I use a story-based approach that is fun and engaging, and avoids the often painful "writing by committee."
Strategy Setting
Being adaptive and strategic in uncertain times
I support nimble, strategic decision making that responds to changing circumstances without becoming reactive. I can lead a light and fast strategic planning process, or help you update your strategies and priorities in real time, while holding strong to your vision.
Facilitation and Curriculum Design
Engaging design for successful programs
It is a joy to bring my many years of experience in facilitation and curriculum design to support others. I can provide guidance and feedback on your meeting and/or program design that will set you up for success. From a 1-hour meeting to a 10-year long capacity building program - in person or online - I have countless tools and ideas to share to get you to your vision.
DON'T TAKE IT FROM ME:
HERE'S WHAT CLIENTS SAY
CARESTAR Foundation
Vision, Values, and Statement of Purpose
"As the first CEO of the CARESTAR Foundation I had the initial goal of integrating race equity into the foundation from the start, and Rachel supported me in that goal by working though our mission and values as well as supporting the board in their understanding and pursuit of that north star. Rachel is a phenomenal facilitator as she so adeptly demonstrated in numerous trainings with us, but particularly the intense wordsmithing of our mission and values language. She is unflappable!"
Tanir Ami
CEO
Patagonia
Culture Building and Embedding Justice
We were seeking a partner to help us evaluate our programs and identify opportunities for embedding equity and justice throughout all of our work. Rachel has been on this journey with us through thick and thin. Her thoughtful, knowledgeable, positive, and patient approach has helped our team build trust, empathy and confidence in building and carrying out a cohesive, impactful and restorative vision. She has truly become a natural extension of our team, enabling us to make significant strides and setting us up for success in the future. I can’t speak more highly of Rachel.
Lisa Myers
Director of Environmental Grants
James Irvine Foundation
Grantee Capacity Building
“Rachel is such a wise soul. Her trainings and coaching for our organization have been incredible, and have brought energy and focus to our team during a time of great change. She has been a fantastic facilitator of our Central Coast peer learning network, bringing a wealth of knowledge and tools to our group. We feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to reflect and grow as individuals and an organization under her guidance.”
Karyl Lynn Burns
Producing Artistic Director
Rubicon Theatre
(Arts Regional Initiative Grantee)
Global Citizen Year
Team Culture Building
“Rachel provided invaluable training to our global staff on vital organizational issues like decision-making, communication, and managing commitments in our fast-paced, growing organization. She struck the perfect balance between sharing her knowledge and drawing out our own. Moreover, we felt closer as a team and ready to take on the challenges ahead of us after the workshop. I highly recommend her for your next training, workshop or retreat!”
Lee Lucca
Chief Operating Officer
Global Fund for Women
Facilitation
“Rachel is adept at striking a balance between relationships and results. Ensuring that everybody's voice gets heard while making progress toward desired outcomes isn't easy, but Rachel has an intuitive ability to do just that. Her balanced facilitation style ensures that decisions are reached in a collaborative, supportive environment that strengthens interpersonal relationships in the process.”
Kelly McVicker
Development Officer
CONTACT ME
Email
rachel (at) rachelhumphrey (dot) com
LinkedIn
/rachelzhumphrey
Phone
415.598.7174
