about me

I'll research you/your organization (so it's helpful for you to provide your name/website/physical location and detailed description of why you believe I might be able to help your organization on the contact form). If I believe I can be helpful to you, I'll reach out to schedule a 30-minute virtual session to learn more. (If I don't believe I can help or need more information, I'll follow-up via email.) This 30-minute session will help me develop a proposal for your organization/project/program. The proposal will include an overview of purpose—what I gleaned from our conversation—and a recommended course of action. I will offer outcomes and goals alongside a pretty detailed list of responsibilities (mine and yours), a general timeline, and cost.

As I feel very seriously about working in partnership, I anticipate we'll chat about what's in the proposal and how/when we begin.

I work by project not by hourly rate, so costs will fluctuate based on the lift of the project. Fees vary by sector, your organization's budget size, and even how excited I am about the work. (Just because I can do something doesn't mean I get excited about it.) My fees also shift based on virtual versus in-person meetings. (Putting on real pants and driving to a different location will cost more. This is how it works for me now.)

If you have ongoing needs and want to spread the cost over time, I fully appreciate that, and we can talk about a retainer model.

If I believe I'll need to work with someone else to complete a project, I'll let you know and pull in the folks I trust. The folks I trust include: Kiran Kaur Bains, Mary Kate Hull, and Ariane Etemadi.

Depends on the project.

I give a clear timeline in my contract, and also...what is time now? Urgency and productivity are less important to me than why the project exists in the first place and what we're trying to achieve together. We'll start by defining purpose and outcomes, so that we can determine, together, what might happen. This also helps us see where we might shift the work as we're doing it.

The work we'll do together will take time and energy, so my hope is that you're prioritizing the work as much as I am.

In partnership with you.

In fact, if we move to contract, I write in principles of this partnership and ask you to contribute any additional ones. I seek partnerships that:

1. Are characterized by mutual trust, respect, and commitment to mission.

2. Build upon identified strengths and assets.

3. Balance power—real and perceived—and respect expertise and experience across organizational hierarchy.

4. Uphold clear, transparent, and asset-based communication.

5. Prioritize continuous learning and improvement.

6. Reimagine what is possible.

7. Prioritize purpose over productivity.

Here's the deal: I am serious about investing my time, energy, and money in my community.

I pay very close attention to San Antonio, and the organizations that are doing the thing. I reach out to offer free services to the organizations that align to my interests and show the greatest impact on the community. I am most interested in systems change, electoral politics and policy change, theatre and the arts, and college access and attainment.

If you still believe your volunteer opportunity or favor is something I won't be able to pass up, feel free to contact me and note that you are asking for my services for free in your message. I will let you know if I'm available/interested.

If you want to "pick my brain" for free, please note that in your message. (Then see my answer to: "I am looking for you to do something as a volunteer or favor.") Otherwise, what you're requesting is a consultation, which is what I do for a living. Separately, should I accept your offer to pick my brain, we can do that virtually. No need to eat or drink while we do it. (This is just to head off the inevitable, "Let's happy hour" or "Have breakfast/lunch" to "get to know each other's work better.")

I have done this a lot. Sometimes, I have things to offer. Sometimes, I don't.

I'll ask the following questions if they're not addressed in the request:

1. Why am I the person you want for this? ('Cause I know lots of brilliant people who may be better suited for your event/topic.)

2. Who else is speaking/serving on the panel? ('Cause I look for diversity in race, gender, and age—to start—when considering if my voice should be added.)

3. Is there a speaker's fee? (If not, please see the answer to "I am looking for you to do something as a volunteer or favor.")

4. What relationship do I have with you or your organization?

No, thank you.

Forced relationship over a hot beverage or food is not my jam. I get that some folks love this so much. (I know many who do, and they happen to be some of my dearest friends. I rarely go to coffee with them either.)

Feel free to use my contact form to help me understand how we might work together, and, if all makes sense, we'll rock a virtual meeting that can keep us both in pajama pants.