Sarah Florman

Skills

Strategic Planning
Stakeholder Engagement
Systems Change
Policy Development
Change Management
Coalition Building
Executive Advisory
Government Relations
Strategic Communications
Cross-functional Team Leadership
Equity-Centered Leadership
Program Evaluation
Facilitation
Trust Building
Management Consulting
Change Leadership
Team Leadership
Prevention Services
Family Engagement
Foster Care
Child Welfare
Solution Design
Needs Assessment
Strategic Analysis
Workshop Facilitation
Process Consulting
Change Consulting
Strategy Consulting
Performance Management
Capacity Building
Grant Management
Program Design
Strategic Implementation
Project Leadership
Program Management
Strengths-Based Approach
Trauma Informed Care
Human-Centered Design
Participatory Design
Community-Centered Design
Cultural Competency
Cultural Humility
Inclusive Leadership
Racial Equity
Equity
Innovation Strategy
Complex Problem Solving
Root Cause Analysis
Process Improvement
Continuous Improvement
Impact Measurement
Theory of Change
Impact Strategy
Social Impact
Systems Thinking
Relationship Building
Relationship Management
Consensus Building
Cross-sector Collaboration
Community Relation
Strategic Partnerships
Partnership Development
Stakeholder Management
Civic Engagement
Political Strategy
Federal Relations
Intergovernmental Affairs
Public Testimony
Policy Advocacy
Advocacy
Regulatory Affairs
Legislative Strategy
Legislative Affairs
Policy Analysis
Organizational Transformation
Business Strategy
Strategic Decision Making
Organizational Development
Executive Communications Support
Strategic Initiatives
Strategic Vision
Collaborative Leadership
Strategic Problem Solving
Community Engagement
Budget Management
Fundraising
Content Development
Non-profit Management
Project Management
Organizational Strategy
Governmental Affairs
Program Development
Leadership Development
Public Speaking
Youth Development
Data Analysis
Social Justice
Public Affairs
Technical Assistance
Public Policy

About

I'm the person organizations call when they need to bring the right people together to solve complex problems – and create change that actually lasts.

My approach is straightforward: The best solutions come from the people closest to the problem.

✓ Changing a system? The people using that system need to be at the table.
✓ Internal process improvement? Your staff need meaningful input that shapes decisions.
✓ External impact? Partners and communities are part of the conversation from the start.

My job is to find the people with the ideas, connect them with the people who can execute, build coalitions across unlikely partners, and facilitate collective action that produces real movement. I'm interested in helping people get to the solutions they've already identified but haven't been able to reach.

A note on how I work: I'm empathetic and I'm direct - and I find those work well together. I'm going to tell you what I actually think, ask the questions that move us forward, and keep us focused on why we're in the room. I tend to notice what's underneath the surface – who's holding back, where misalignment is brewing, what people need but haven't named yet. And I believe serious work can still feel energizing; I bring warmth and a bit of lightness to the table because that's when people do their best thinking.

Over 20 years, I've done this work at every level – from direct care with youth in residential treatment, to managing legislative strategy for a $3B+ state agency portfolio, to leading statewide policy campaigns. I've testified at the Capitol, coached leadership teams, built cross-sector partnerships, and translated complex policy into language that actually makes sense to the people it affects.

What I do best:
→ Find the right people and connect them with each other
→ Build coalitions across sectors, silos, and unlikely partners
→ Facilitate collective action that produces real results
→ Translate complexity into clarity
→ Design change that's built WITH people, not FOR them

I'm looking for strategic roles where I can advise, facilitate, and connect – whether that's in foundations, consulting, government, or mission-driven organizations working on hard problems.