Work with Thomas

Changing the Future: Policy Change & Coalition Building

The throughline of my career is improving education and workforce policies work for young people. Through my time leading the National Youth Employment Coalition; on the staff of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee; and working for various nonprofit clients, I have worked at each stage of the policy process - from initial idea to evaluation.

I can help you co-design policies with stakeholders, translate research into compelling policy recommendations, create an advocacy strategy at your organization, organize and manage coalitions, lead advocacy and lobbying activities in legislative or executive branches, and guide agencies as they implement policy changes.

Preparing for Multiple Futures: Strategy & Fund Development

We live in a time where traditional strategic planning and fund development won’t cut it; scenario planning must be a part of the equation. All organizations should be preparing for multiple futures, at all times.

Scenario planning as an approach offers a lens through which to view future actions. I can help you take action to prepare for multiple futures, even in a time of rising authoritarianism.

One of my gifts is making connections across systems, within organizations, and between people. I can help you see new possibilities to nurture your idea or scale your model, and secure funding to make it happen.

Amazing work is happening around the country to reform high schools, connect young people to work, and address the significant traumas and barriers young people face: in so many ways, we know what needs to be done. Unfortunately, this work often happens in isolation or with limited support.

Even in these times, we can prepare for multiple futures and achieve impact.

Nonprofit and philanthropic leaders are in a unique position today to frame the future.

I have always loved to write, translate, and persuade. I have been fortunate to write groundbreaking reports and headline-generating opinion pieces in my time at the Hatcher Group and CommunicationWorks.

Are you struggling to figure out how to reshape your organization’s positioning to fit these times? Do you struggle to describe your model, findings, or goals to different audiences? Do you want to increase your national (or even local) profile? Do you just need a little help finishing (or just writing) that paper or book chapter? I can help.

Whether you need facilitation for a big meeting so you can focus on what matters, need a guide through difficult conversations, or want to begin a planning or stakeholder-engagement process, my wife Judy Oyedele of Joyedele Consulting and I can help.