What We Do
We support collaborations and networks in many ways: designing transformational and productive convenings, launching new collaborations, revitalizing lagging networks, and training others to become skilled network leaders.
Design
Establish a strong foundation so that collaborations and networks can achieve their ambitious goals.
Launch
Build new collaborations and networks to advance learning and action across organizations, sectors, and systems.
Revitalize
Activate lagging collaborations and embed sustainable network structures to help them thrive for years to come.
Train
Teach others the essentials of network leadership and provide existing network leaders with tactics and tools to expand their impact.
Examples of our Work
Santa Cruz Mountains Stewardship Network
“This network is exactly what I dreamed of and hoped for, for how work should happen in the region.”
Jeff Gaffney, Director, Santa Cruz County Parks Department
The Santa Cruz Mountains Stewardship Network is a collaboration of nineteen federal, state, and county agencies, land trusts, nonprofits, research institutes, a Native American tribal band, and a timber company, formed in 2014 to improve land stewardship in the 500,000 acre Santa Cruz Mountains region. Converge designed and launched the network in 2015, and trained a full-time network coordinator who continues to support the network to this day. Click here for the full case study.
Justice In Motion
"We have been showered with compliments and excitement. For many, including me, it was one of the most rewarding professional experiences ever. Thank you for being on this journey with us."
Cathleen Caron, ED, Justice in Motion
Justice In Motion is an extensive network of lawyers working to promote migrant worker rights across borders in North and Central America. Converge trained network leaders in El Salvador and designed Justice In Motion's first-ever full network convening to increase communication and collaboration across the network and to increase the effectiveness of network member’s individual work.
Leading From Within
"As we try to live into what it means to embody network leadership, it's been very helpful to work with Converge."
Ken Saxon, Founder, Leading From Within
Leading From Within (LFW) is an organization that runs leadership development programs for social sector leaders in Santa Barbara County. Converge helped to design and launch the first LFW “Possibility Lab” attended by over 140 LFW alumni and supporters, to activate their alumni network and explore opportunities for greater impact in their community.
California Summer Matters Network
"I keep getting accolades for choosing you as consultants. Everyone was so impressed and appreciative of the design meeting and what we ended with."
Nazaneen Khalilnaji-Otto, Director, Partnership for Children & Youth
The California Summer Matters Network, a program of the Partnership for Children & Youth (PCY), connects regional leaders and hundreds of school districts to increase and improve the summer learning opportunities for all children and youth across the state. Converge was engaged to design the strategy & structure for the network, and trained leaders at PCY to support the network going forward.
Financial Advantage Network
"This was no common facilitation experience. You bring extraordinary preparation, great wisdom, and an uncanny method for calling forth our better angels. I am confident our momentum will result in fruitful actions." Kathryn Jean Keller, Board Member, Express Advantage
The Financial Advantage Network, an initiative of Express Advantage in collaboration with the Boeing Employees Credit Union, works to eliminate payday lending and create financial resilience for tens of thousands of lower income households across Washington state. Converge helped design and launch the collaborative effort featuring 40 leaders from credit unions, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies.
Who We Are
David SawyerDavid Sawyer (aka "Sawyer") has played key roles in a variety of fields: education reform, national service, social entrepreneurship, venture philanthropy and environmental stewardship. He specializes in networks, strategy, design, and systems thinking. Prior to cofounding Converge he helped launch the Americorps program, received The Servant Leader Award from the National Youth Leadership Council, and served as the first Executive Director of Social Venture Partners Portland. He lives in Portland, Oregon with a cat named String Theory. sawyer@converge.netDavid EhrlichmanDavid Ehrlichman (aka "E") has dedicated his career to helping others create social and environmental impact through a collaborative network approach. He specializes in network strategy & design, coordination, and social network analysis, and has worked as a network coordinator for the Santa Cruz Mountains Stewardship Network and for the James Irvine Foundation New Leadership Network. Prior to cofounding Converge in 2013, he was a consultant with Monitor Institute, worked for an early education startup, and interned at Sub Pop Records. He lives near Seattle, Washington. ehrlichman@converge.netZach AndersonZach works at the intersection of business, sustainability, and human potential. His diverse work experience includes leading executive team retreats in Europe and China, advancing renewable energy development in Guatemala, and teaching public school in rural Japan. In his work with Converge he has had the privilege to help develop networks addressing landscape conservation, migrant justice, and income inequality. He is an optimist despite the evidence, a mediocre athlete, and a devoted husband and father. zach@converge.netJane Wei-SkillernJane is a Senior Fellow at UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business and previously served on the faculty at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and Harvard Business School. For nearly the past two decades she has conducted research on trust-based networks for social impact and taught graduate level courses on network leadership and culture, social entrepreneurship, and nonprofit strategy. jane@converge.netNick VieleNick has been working with mission-driven organizations for more than two decades, as a volunteer, an executive director and a consultant. He has worked in the areas of education, conservation, social services, tourism and homelessness, to name a few, and has facilitated over 1,000 meetings in the process. When not facilitating a meeting or filling a white board, he can be found digging in the garden or enjoying the snow on Mt. Hood. Nick says that process is his content and he lives by the rule that ‘your mission is his client.’ He is also the founder of c3strategy. nick@converge.netMatthew SpenceMatthew is a specialist in finding and organizing information to support effective decision making. He conducts market research and analysis as an essential step in formulating organizational and network strategy. As president of Spence & Company, he also teaches professionals in a broad range of industries how to organize and communicate complex ideas and information. At Converge, “spence” is used as a verb, meaning "to make clear and concise." matthew@converge.netNeo AndersonNeo is the resident futurist at Converge where he leads research on emerging trends and advises the team on scenario planning. He keeps the team focused on what really matters - relationships, integrity, and dropping everything to jump in pillow piles. Neo is keen to pursue his certification in Lego Serious Play and also tends to his burgeoning career in the arts. neo@future.earthShastaShasta oversees all aspects of strategy, business development, operations and herding. She is also the lead facilitator, content engineer and heel nipper. Shasta has an undergraduate degree from the Oregon Humane Society and can typically be found at the feet of her staff team. shasta@good.dogOur Partners
We have partnered with the following networks, foundations, and organizations to create social and environmental impact.
NETWORKS
FOUNDATIONS
ORGANIZATIONS
Connect
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