The Denney Group

At the heart of what I do lies a simple mission: helping people and organizations do what they do - better. This means achieving your outcomes in an efficient, strategic manner that lifts people up and helps everyone engage and grow.

What does that look like?

I don’t sell off the shelf solutions. All the work I do is custom created to solve the challenges you face. Our work together can range from facilitating a training or strategic planning session, to short-term project based work, to a long-term retainer based engagement.

Learning as a Lever for Change

One of the most powerful and underutilized tools organizations have to achieve their objectives is learning. That could look like building staff capacity, improving organizational outcomes, or educating external audiences. At my core, I am an educator. Designing and facilitating educational experiences is the heart of my skill set. Building knowledge, developing skills, and changing attitudes and behaviors all require different methodologies. My learner-centered approach starts with gaining a rich understanding of the audience so we can tailor a solution that will increase their motivation and meet their needs.

Applied Research

I love the challenge of architecting solutions to complex and nuanced problems. This process starts with defining the challenge and articulating the learning or research questions. Then I collect and analyze qualitative and quantitative data to find patterns and make meaning. Lastly, that data is used to drive decision making and create actionable next steps to achieve your outcomes. My academic research centered on changing perceptions and attitudes to lead to behavior change. Throughout my Master of Science program, six years of teaching at the university level, and over a decade in private consulting, I have gained both a theoretical and practical understanding of learning and assessment strategies, research methodologies, and strategic problem solving.

Organizational Culture and Change Management

Creating change in an organization is similar to building a social movement. Organizational culture is both set from the top and determined by how every team member feels about their work, their co-workers, and the mission. Much like creating a social movement requires both an authentic leader with an inspiring, clearly communicated vision and all of us believing in our agency and taking action every day to make change. In this work I draw on my first hand experience creating a social movement and designing learning solutions that lead to attitude and behavioral change.

Program Evaluation and Strategic Planning

I care about results. A carefully designed and well-executed initiative means nothing if it doesn’t achieve its intended outcome. I conduct evaluations of existing programs to determine their impact and effectiveness, using insights to make data-driven improvements. I lead organizations and boards through the creation or refinement of their strategic plans, ensuring they are aligned with their mission and values.

What is it like to work with me?

I lead with my values, and my work is guided by four principles. If you work with me, this is how I'll show up:

Values

Impact

My biggest driver is my desire to make a positive impact. I am passionate about social justice, human rights, and creating a just and equitable future for all. I care deeply about working toward a regenerative agricultural industry that can be at the forefront of mitigating climate change.

Transparency

I am a straight shooter and will tell you what I think, not just what you want to hear. Clear, open, and honest communication is critical for creating impact. When I don’t know something, I ask. When I make a mistake, I take accountability.

Authenticity

I strive to always show up as my best self. I love people and life, bringing a light-hearted and engaging energy to all I do. My approachable and authentic style of leadership creates a collaborative working environment that allows people to bring their best selves and solutions to the table.

Work Principles

I don’t find my self-worth at work.

My core belief is that every human is inherently equal in worth and dignity, simply because we exist. My work isn't about fulfilling my ego or proving my worth. I do my best work with direct, to-the-point feedback. If something can be done better or you're not satisfied, I want to know. This allows me to push my thinking forward and reach organizational goals more efficiently.

Check ego at the door.

When designing strategies, I prioritize the impact of the project above all else. I ask questions, pressure-test ideas, and seek input from diverse stakeholders. I thrive in environments where people can set aside their egos and work together authentically to solve problems. The best solutions come from true collaboration, where it’s impossible to tell whose idea it originally was.

Get measurable results.

My commitment to impact drives me to ensure every solution or deliverable achieves its intended outcome. I don't assume success; I test it. I value a well-crafted logic model, a carefully designed evaluation plan, and collecting and analyzing data to prove efficacy.

Balance excellence and efficiency.

Everything I do is to the best of my ability; "good enough" is not an option. My brain is wired to find patterns in chaos and determine the best way forward. These traits allow me to effectively balance excellence and efficiency in all I do.

Highlighted Client Work: Feeding America

Over the last three years, I partnered with Feeding America, the largest hunger-relief organization in the United States, to develop innovative tools and processes that empower food banks to operate more effectively, equitably, and sustainably.

Key Contributions:

Product Sourcing Plan Process Development: Designed a comprehensive six-step framework, equipping food banks to align with Feeding America’s Partner Food Bank Agreement while improving operational efficiency and equitable distribution.
Service Requirements Process Development: Developed tools and templates for the Service Area Assessment (SAA) and Operational Response Plan (ORP), helping food banks integrate equity, foster collaboration, and meet service targets.
Boundless Collaborations Research: Conducted applied research to create case studies and a Strategic Collaboration Playbook, enabling food banks to form impactful partnerships.
Engaging E-Learning Development: Created interactive online modules on topics like health equity, workforce development, and agency relations to make complex content accessible and actionable.
Disaster Services Learning Continuum: Designed a learning continuum and self-assessment tool to enhance disaster preparedness and response, presenting at the National VOAD Conference and supporting food banks nationwide.
Strategic Program Evaluation: Led qualitative research to evaluate internal initiatives, redesigning programs for greater collaboration and impact based on stakeholder feedback.

This partnership exemplifies my commitment to using learning as a lever for change, fostering collaboration, and driving measurable results for organizations working to address complex challenges.

Interested in partnering with The Denney Group to facilitate Product Sourcing Planning or Service Requirements Process? Download this PDF to learn more!