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Building Infrastructure for Transformational Change with RISE Together Innovation Institute
When Danielle Sydnor became CEO of the RISE Together Innovation Institute (RTII) in Columbus, Ohio in late 2021, she faced a significant challenge. The newly established nonprofit had a bold mission - to disrupt structural racism and address poverty in Franklin County through innovative, collaborative solutions - but limited infrastructure to make it happen.
RTII emerged from the Franklin County Rise Together Blueprint, a strategic plan commissioned by county commissioners to reduce poverty through systemic reforms. With funding secured and a board in place, the organization needed to transform from concept to operational entity. By early 2023, RTII consisted primarily of Sydnor and a part-time administrator.
"The Rise Together blueprint report on reducing poverty was completed in 2019," explains Sydnor.
"What was not necessarily fleshed out by the board and the report was how exactly the organization would structure itself. Would it do programs? Would it have five staff or ten? Would it only work with contractors? None of that work had been done."
Strategic Partnership for Infrastructure Development
In January 2023, RTII engaged Si3 Group for a nine-month strategic advisory partnership. This collaboration went beyond traditional consulting to provide comprehensive support for organizational development during a critical formative period.
Si3 Group deployed a team of four consultants with expertise in board governance, strategy, strategic planning, human resources and organizational design, and executive coaching to address RTII's multifaceted needs.
Translating RTII's existing strategic roadmap into actionable plans, priorities, and resource allocation strategies
Navigating the complex dynamics between the new organization and its board while building trust and alignment
Developing a staffing model that would efficiently deliver on RTII's mission while remaining fiscally responsible
Creating an organizational framework that optimized limited resources while positioning RTII for growth and impact
Later expanding to include hiring strategy, recruitment support, interview protocols, and onboarding processes
Si3's approach emphasized collaboration rather than prescription. "We served as a thought partner in doing the initial assessment of human capital resources needed to effectively operationalize RISE Together," notes Ted Carter, Principal of Si3 Group.
"We provided Danielle with a framework for thinking about staffing, resource allocation, and priority setting."
Even after planning concluded, the implementation phase of the engagement retained its deeply relational and collaborative approach. Si3 followed an adaptive process based on the OODA loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act). They prioritized being responsive and agile, ensuring Sydnor felt supported and heard throughout the process.
Preparing Sydnor for critical board meetings, including a pivotal budget presentation that secured funding for RTII's staffing model
Refining RTII's strategic goals and creating implementation timelines and metrics
Analyzing various organizational structures to identify the optimal configuration for RTII's mission and budget
Creating job descriptions, interview protocols, and onboarding procedures for RTII's initial hires hires
Biweekly consultation meetings with Sydnor and her team to provide strategic guidance
Throughout this process, Si3 Group acted as both an advisor and execution partner. "We went through many iterations based on feedback from stakeholders to get to a viable model," explains Regina Johnson of Si3 Group. "We helped Danielle articulate not just what RTII wanted to do, but how they would do it in a way that satisfied diverse stakeholder requirements."
A board-approved staffing model and budget that aligned with RTII's mission and financial resources
A clear roadmap for the organization's first 18-24 months of operation with defined priorities and success metrics
Comprehensive hiring and onboarding processes that supported RTII's growth from a two-person operation to a fully staffed organization
Enhanced board communication and alignment around RTII's direction and priorities
Defined roles, responsibilities, and processes that enabled efficient execution of RTII's strategic initiatives
The engagement equipped RTII to move from planning to action. "Having people that would validate the way I was thinking, but also appropriately push back was invaluable," reflects Sydnor. "They didn't just take all of the things that I was throwing out and say, 'Well, that's what Danielle wants.' They actively listened and offered their thoughts, ideas, and tweaks to what I was trying to accomplish."
What distinguished this engagement was Si3's commitment to RTII's long-term success rather than short-term deliverables. Sydnor highlights this distinction:
"I don't believe that everybody you pay as a consultant always has your vested interests in the outcome. Sometimes it's just about getting to the next project. But it was really important for me to have someone I could trust."
The Si3 team brought valuable perspective from government, corporate, and nonprofit sectors - particularly critical for an organization operating at the nexus of all three.
"Ted's unique skill set based on his previous experience was totally aligned with what we were trying to accomplish," notes Sydnor. "Understanding how to navigate with elected officials versus the administrative team versus the community was essential."
The partnership created space for Sydnor to focus on high-level executive leadership while Si3 developed the operational infrastructure.
"One of the elements that made this engagement successful," explains Carter, "was that Danielle is a principled and driven leader; the kind who is ideal to work with. She has a remarkable work ethic that matches her extraordinary commitment to social action. She's agile and open-minded, adept at pivoting as conditions dictate while remaining laser-focused on the mission.
We are proud to have worked alongside her as she advocated for the community, giving voice to their concerns and championing their needs throughout this transformational journey."
Today, RTII continues to build on the foundation established through this partnership. The organization is implementing innovative approaches to poverty reduction, including exploring universal basic income concepts and collaborating with partners like Smart Columbus on a Community Information Exchange to streamline social services.
The Si3 Group engagement exemplifies how strategic advisory partnerships can help mission-driven organizations translate bold visions into operational reality. By combining subject matter expertise with collaborative problem-solving, Si3 Group helped RTII build the infrastructure needed to pursue its transformational mission of disrupting structural racism and poverty in Franklin County.
"Having a team of people that understood my passion while also having worked in government, corporate, and other spaces where they understand the practical realities made all the difference. They didn't just document what I wanted and feed it back to me - they helped me think through complex challenges in a way that set us up for long-term success."
Coming Soon!
We're thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of "The Gorgeous Mosaic," a new podcast hosted by our founder, Ted Carter.
Community has never been more important than it is today with the societal disruptions of technology, climate, social friction, and technology disintermediation. Each episode of "The Gorgeous Mosaic" will take listeners on an immersive journey, introducing them to new unique communities where food, music, history and culture create solidarity, identity, and cultural alignment.
From urban neighborhoods that are redefining economic development to rural towns that are pioneering new models of community engagement, we'll explore the unique challenges, triumphs, and lessons of each place through the voices of the people who know it best.
Through real stories and authentic voices, we’ll uncover the bold ideas, persistent challenges, and inspiring triumphs that make each community a vital part of our nation’s mosaic.
Be the first to tune in.