Our Approach to the Work

Equity-Centered Design and Implementation

We don't just talk about equity; we work into our planning and execution. This means we provide learning, shared understanding and agreement with our clients on the process, as well as the methods tracking and assessing outcomes.

Strategic Planning

We specialize in helping organizations small and large, government and nonprofit, build powerful frameworks (Theories of Change and Logic Models, for example) to guide program planning, campaigns, implementation and evaluation for organizational sustainability and growth.

Technical Assistance and Capacity Building

We fill your needs gaps by researching, curating and at even creating the resources our clients need. By showing you how to implement these opportunities, we help your organization incorporate the skills and tools to improve your desired services outcomes.  We also offer coaching that spans areas of management, human resources, organizational development, communications, assessment, and technical supplements which strengthen your agency's capacity. 

Popular Education in Training and Professional Development 

We offer engaging, data-drive, action-oriented professional development and cultural responsiveness workshops for organizations on topics that connect planning and design topics, sustainability and organizational development to justice and equity themes. Rather than separate the two buckets, we seamlessly weave them together in our trainings to executives, managers, and staff. Learn more about our trainings and workshops. 

Human-Centered Program Design & Project Management

We set up the project management tools and provide the infrastructure to develop effective programs from public engagement initiatives to research. We even incorporate gamification.  We also have the skills in designing evaluative tools to track progress, and easily determine when to pivot, and when to elevate. 

Program Assessment & Evaluation 

Our team has deep experience in creating assessment tools, including tracking equity outcomes. These conduct evaluations using quantitative and qualitative metrics, both initial intake sequences as well as for conclusive reporting. Recommendations for improvements and advising on implementation steps are included. 

Co-Design, Collaboration and Deep Partnership 

With our extensive relationship of agencies and practice across the nation, as well as keeping up on trends, tools funding sources, Powerful Pathways strives on cultivating strategic partnerships and collaborations. We can help with identifying best partners around your custom needs and specialties. 

Spatial Ergonomics, Experience Design and Environmental Psychology 

In the same manner in which user experience/user interaction (UX/UI) designers design mobile apps and software that is user intuitive and purports desired outcomes in a virtual space, we  also apply those human centered design concepts into our strategies in the living virtual world to architect inclusive interactions, and to promote cooperation and intercultural outcomes – be it branding, business planning, or the layout of a physical space or place for meetings and events.

Arts, Media Technology and Civic Media are Core

We deploy the use of arts and creative technology (digital and analog) to create powerful and effective experiences. These inclusive approaches allow for moving from public participation to true community engagement. We advise and connect our clients to both analog and digital civic media and inspire them to work across mediums: from digital, environmental, print, film or a hybrid of multiple platforms conducive to positive outcomes.

Cultural Responsiveness

We take lessons and lean in on the adaptive nature of culture. For our workshops, rather than diversity training (which has come to connote negative sentiment) we train others in cultural responsiveness. Most diversity trainings are designed as interventions, with little evident of impact. Our trainings focus on learning how social norms shape perceptions, how to be flexible and navigate different cultural dynamics. We don’t blame or shame; we facilitate healthy dialogue.