What it’s like to work with
Dr. Selander
Working to affect change, within an organization, industry or in the wider world, requires vulnerability and collaboration. That can be more or less hard depending on the working relationships driving progress. Read below what our clients and collaborators have to say about what it’s like to work with us.
Navigating analysis & strategy
“I had the pleasure of working with Kari on several projects while I was at the Gates Foundation, from natural resources management for human capital to macroeconomic and debt analysis of African Economies. Kari is a real “jack of all trades” who can navigate across “hard” economic analysis, creative and strategic thinking, and advocacy & communications. Her extensive network and “campaign mentality” were also instrumental in enriching consultations, socializing ideas, and gathering broad support across a wide range of stakeholders including opinion leaders, technical experts, and civil society. I have known Kari for a long time and I am glad to have her on speed dial for sharp and objective advice.”
Rodrigo Salvado, former Deputy Director, Int’l Development Finance, Gates Foundation
Building strategy
“I had a general idea that I wanted to find a way to ‘solve homelessness’ in the United States, but had no idea where to start on the learning journey to get me there. I also knew I wanted a thoughtful outsider to tackle the challenge – I wasn’t interested in business as usual. Kari created a framework for thinking about the problem, identified and spoke with the eminent experts in the field, and provided a thoughtful, one-of-its-kind approach that will drive my engagement in the field moving forward. In addition to the quality of Kari’s work, I just thoroughly enjoyed collaborating with her. She challenged my assumptions in a way that was energizing and engaging and was all around fun to work with.”
Dylan Lewis, CEO, Blue Cloud Ranch
Communicating impact
“We have been great about collecting data around our impact for the last five years, but struggled to wrangle all of that diverse data to tell a complete story about our impact and celebrate our grantees. Dr. Selander took the time to really understand our programming and our goals, then got into the nitty gritty of the data. She helped us structure and draft our first-ever impact report, a truly foundational document for us. Collaborating with Dr. Selander was as much enjoyable as it was thought provoking and now we have a template for how we talk about what we do, why we do it, and to what end for years to come.”
Marsha Olson, Program Director, Wurwand Foundation
Refining vision
“Kari helped us with strategic advising as we were considering a shift in our funding priorities. She is an excellent project manager, checking in frequently to ensure that her work was headed in a direction that would be useful to us. Kari approaches a broad range of complex topics with joy and humanity, and overall is a delight to work with.”
Christy Loper, Environment Program Director, Robertson Foundation
Championing the new
“Kari and I worked closely together for almost a decade. From building OPM’s natural resource governance work and the Chief Economist’s office, to supporting Kari design and build the company’s first-ever CSR initiative, the Oxford Policy Fellowship, to opening our first U.S. Office with a focus on working with philanthropy, Kari was the person we went to if we needed something new, and if we needed to get colleagues excited about ‘different.’ In addition to her work for external clients and funders, Kari was a prominent part of the company’s social fabric. She naturally loves bringing people together, formally or informally, mentoring younger staff, and getting people excited to be part of a team.”
Dr. Kari Selander 