ABOUT US
We believe inclusive conversations strengthen every part of every process.
Leadership Development means embracing & leading courageous conversations.
We’ve spent our careers learning about how people impact the growth of organizations.
What we’ve learned first and foremost is that people are successful when they have the space to talk about the things that matter most to them - whether that’s building a work culture that honors and sees them or processes and systems that need repair. We’ve found that talking about the hard stuff -with ground rules and structures that create safety - opens up paths to connection and forward movement.
Feedback from Strategic Planning Sessions:
“This was fantastic. Renee really modeled the kind of collaboration, listening and learning from others that is needed in planning!”
“Great session Renee. As someone who facilitates a ton of meetings, small and large, online and IRL, I really appreciated your perspective and sharing. Thanks."
We push our clients to break down those visions into small, manageable steps so they can move all of us toward a more just world that everyone can rally around.
We are constantly inspired by what our clients are building and how they are moving the world toward justice. Like us, they’re dreamers who find hope in the midst of many challenges. We work with our clients to design and facilitate processes that create clarity around their important work.
We work with clients who know that the quality of relationships among their staff and board members are directly connected to the organization’s performance. By designing and facilitating conversations that surface wins as well as uncomfortable truths, we support our clients to build higher performing organizations.
We work with high-performing leaders who hold big visions for a better world.
We raise up racial and gender equity, and we work with clients who care deeply about the people they affect.
We live in a world with fundamental, systemic racial and social inequalities. Being part of the solution involves acknowledging this and making sure the right people - people of diverse racial, ethnic and gender identities - are in every room to share perspectives and move the conversation forward.
We do this through strategic planning, board facilitation, and asking really (REALLY!) good questions so you can move your work from concept to reality.
Our Team
Dr. Renee Rubin Ross
Founder
Dr. Renee Rubin Ross is a recognized leader on board and organizational development and strategy and the founder of The Ross Collective, a consulting firm that designs and leads inclusive, participatory processes for social sector boards and staff.
Committed to racial equity in the nonprofit sector, Dr. Ross guides leaders and organizations in strategic plans and governance processes that deepen social change, racial justice, engagement, and community strength.
In addition to her consulting work, Dr. Ross is the Director of the Cal State University East Bay Nonprofit Management Certificate program and teaches Strategic Planning and Board Development for the program.
Dr. Ross lives in Northern California. She is a past Board member of the Alliance for Nonprofit Management and a member of the Technology of Participation facilitators’ network. Her Doctorate in Education and Jewish Studies from New York University explored parent participation in schools.
Christal M. Cherry
Affiliate Consultant
Christal M. Cherry, founder of The Board Pro, is a trained fundraiser with more than 22 years on nonprofit experience serving on executive teams, as a liaison with boards, and a confidant to the CEO/Executive Director. Christal has a passion to help transform board members into impactful leaders. As wise stewards for public good, directors have the power to change the world through board service. The Board Pro (TBP) has a niche and skill in equipping board members with the tools they need to effectively govern and help nonprofits to fulfill their missions, scale, and become change agents in their communities.
Dr. Benisa
Berry
Affiliate Consultant
As an Organization Consultant, DEI Strategist, Facilitator, Trainer and Mediator, Benisa Berry, PhD engages with individuals, organizations and communities to think and work together creatively and productively for individual and collective success. She specializes in participatory approaches that draw upon collective learning and wisdom and has completed Intensive Facilitator Training through the Institute of Cultural Affairs. Dr. Berry is committed to individual and institutional capacity building that advances racial equity and social justice. She currently serves as the Chair, DEI Committee for the Contra Costa County Bar Association and oversees court-based mediation and community conflict resolution programs serving Contra Costa County. She has held leadership roles at Kaiser Permanente and John F Kennedy University and has 12+ years’ experience as faculty at Alliant International University
Veronica Anderson
Affiliate Consultant
Veronica Anderson is a strategy consultant with expertise in media, education, and public policy. She partners with organizations that set their sights on equity. Veronica advises leadership teams on strategic planning, engaging stakeholders, reputation management, and effective messaging. She facilitates visioning, community outreach and research development for nonprofits, foundations, school districts, universities, and media organizations. She created and presented workshops in communications planning and founder-led nonprofits. Prior to becoming a consultant, Veronica was an award-winning journalist and led an education policy newsroom. She also served on the Steering Committee for the University of Chicago Consortium on School Research and sat on several nonprofit boards, including Healthy Schools Campaign and Community Organizing and Family Issues (COFI).
Angelica Hesse
Graphic
Designer
Angelica Hesse, founder of Brand Your Light, is passionate about helping nonprofits and women entrepreneurs to visually amplify the good work they are doing in the world. She is a talented brand, web, and graphic designer with 23 years’ experience – and a quick mind that never stops. Angelica particularly loves helping people identify, and visually express their unique magic and role in the world – so they can shine online and make a bigger impact. She has also worked as a Waldorf teacher and voice teacher (and opera singer on the side ). Angelica is a truth-seeking Scorpio, obsessed with beauty, and fueled by large pots of chai.
Our Values
Connection and Relationship
Our work is fundamentally people-centered. A great joy (and occasional challenge!) of this work is the web of positive relationships with clients, colleagues, students, and mentors. We design planning, training, and coaching processes so that each person is seen, honored and affirmed.
Creativity, Imagination and Courage
Moving people and organizations towards better work is rewarding and it is not always easy. It demands boldness to ask hard questions, talk about hard topics, and creatively try new paths. Inspired by John Lewis, we make #GoodTrouble as frequently as possible.
Sustainability and Abundance
We operate from a place of abundance: There is more than enough for everyone. We are in solidarity with the most vulnerable members of our society; what hurts them hurts all of us.
We focus on and build organizational and individual practices that envision sustainability for our planet, communities, and workplaces.
Justice & Equity
In our teaching, training and facilitation, we aim to build safety, inclusion and belonging. This includes leading conversations on race, systemic inequalities and building racial equity culture in organizations. We listen to, learn from, and amplify diverse voices and perspectives.
Learning, Curiosity and Growth
The world keeps changing. The only way to continue to get better and deepen our work is to keep learning. We bring this spirit of curiosity, learning, and growth to every coaching conversation and consulting engagement.
