We’re Launching our new Series of Consultant Profiles! In this post, we feature olliette Murry-Drobot.
Finding a consultant can be a stressful experience. How do you find the right fit for your organization? How do you know that they’re qualified? That’s why Momentum Nonprofit Partners launched our consultant directory in 2017 and have linked hundreds of nonprofits to qualified consultants in Memphis and across the country.
We want you to get to know our consultants better, and we’re launching a new series of blog posts to feature some of our most talented consultants. Below is more information about Olliette Murry-Drobot, one of our key consultants. Olliette is the founder of O2 Strategic Partners. Be sure to check out our consultant directory for more of the best consultants around!
What led you to become a consultant?
I stepped down as the executive director for the Family Safety Center after battling some health issues. I took a sabbatical and after deep reflection I decided I wanted to stay engaged in supporting the work of progressive organizations. Consulting seemed to be the perfect fit.
Tell us about your previous experience working in the nonprofit sector.
I have over 20 plus years of experience with mission driven and social justice organizations. I served as the Program Director for community development and microenterprise development at MIFA. For seven years, I served as the Senior Program Officer for a financial intermediary providing grant making, technical assistance, and training for community development corporations, and grassroots organizations.
I served as the executive director for the Family Safety Center in which I coordinated a network of nonprofit organizations, social justice organizations, advocacy organizations, social service agencies, and government agencies working across organizational cultures to achieve greater efficiencies, enhance data sharing and goal setting, and identification of gaps and trends. I was responsible for the development and management of a $2 million plus annual budget. In addition, I led the organization in adopting a new data management system, established benchmarks, and reporting tools.
I have also had the opportunity to serve on the board of directors for several organizations including as an officer for a few nonprofits.
What services are your specialty?
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion specializes in training, facilitation, and qualitative research. Interests are intersectionality, colorism, and leadership.
Strategic Planning with a focus on building alignment across the organization.
Program Implementation for new initiatives and expanded efforts.
Tell us about any formal education, certifications, etc. that you may have.
MA in Applied Anthropology
MBA focused on organizational change and leadership
Standards for Excellence Licensed Consultant
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Principles and Techniques in Fundraising
Tell us a success story about your work with a nonprofit in Memphis.
I facilitated a retreat for a small, passionate progressive organization. The board was committed yet scattered. I worked with the leadership team and board to gain clarity around their vision, values, and priorities and shifted with redirecting their resources and efforts to focus on those identified priorities. They have been able to expand their staff, relationships within the community, strengthen their programming, and now have make strides to center equity in their work.
What would you say are the biggest challenges your clients face, and how do you help them solve those challenges?
I work with a number of BIPOC- and women-led organizations. For those organizations, managing with limited resources. lack of alignment across the board and leadership, and access to funding continue to be challenges. My work helps to support organizations in a few ways. I assist organizations with re-alignment through deeper conversations across the board, staff, and clients. Two, I assist organizations with identifying opportunities for great effectiveness with program implementation and delivery. Lastly, I help organizations to explore, identify, and implement efforts to center equity in their work to provide greater impact serving their clients.
If you could change one thing about the nonprofit sector in Memphis, what would it be?
I would center equity at the heart of the nonprofit sector. It would impact the clients and communities in which they serve. It would impact the leadership. It would impact the resources which are available so that organizations have the capacity to fulfill their missions.
Who are three outstanding nonprofit leaders that are superstars in your eyes?
Wendi Thomas, MLK50
Roshun Austin, The Works, Inc.
Marlon Foster, Knowledge Quest
If someone were an aspiring consultant, what three pieces of advice would you give them?
Be flexible and open to making adjustments to your initial vision.
Have some money set aside. Things can start off slow. Things can fall thru at the last minute.
Identify a support system including mentors.
What are three books that any up-and-coming nonprofit leader should be reading right now?
The Advantage by Patrick Lencioni
Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde
Decolonizing Wealth by Edgar Villanueva
What shows are you currently streaming?
Abbott Elementary. I love it. I have fallen in love with the characters. The show is relatable. The characters are diverse. It is about passion.
Wednesday. It is a well written show with great characters. The main actress is phenomenal. Diverse cast.
FBI. I am totally into crime shows. Great cast. Tackles tough issues related to race, immigration, etc.
Tell us about the special people (and pets!) in your life.
Married going on 23 years to my husband Tadeusz (Tad). Tad is originally from Warsaw, Poland. He came to America knowing very little English and only a couple of folks. He runs his own business, Tad's Mr. Fix It. His clients absolutely love him. He is resilient, courageous, and knows how to fix pretty much anything.
We have three big dogs which we refer to as our babies. Luna, Siberian Husky (she looks like a cuddly bear). She is very independent. Loki, Siberian Husky/German Shephard.. He is a mama's boy. Loki is my protector. Sadie, a Black German Shepherd, she is the baby of the family. Lots of personality and energy for weeks. She is spoiled rotten.
Why do you love Momentum Nonprofit Partners?
The mission is something very close to my heart. The staff is passionate, committed, talented, and smart. I have had an opportunity to develop relationships with multiple staff members over the years. They have opened the doors for myself and other consultants to be able to do good work.
You can find out more about Olliette at her website. Click here.
Kevin Dean, Ed.D.
Kevin is the Chief Executive Officer at Momentum Nonprofit Partners.