Our Consulting Approach
Empowering Social Change Leaders
We understand the realities of leading in the social sector — the constant balancing of urgent needs, limited resources, and complex stakeholder relationships. Our role is to help you step back, see the bigger picture, and design strategies that unlock your organization’s full potential. Grounded in our Nonprofit Model for Social Impact and guided by more than five decades of lived and professional experience, our approach blends systems thinking, equity, and practical strategy. We meet you where you are, co‑create solutions that fit your unique context, and ensure your team has the tools and confidence to sustain progress long after our work together ends.
Our Philosophy
At Najera Consulting Group, we believe that lasting social change happens when people see their work — and themselves — from a broader, more holistic perspective. We help organizations do just that by working in true partnership with our clients.
We view our work as a collaborative journey. Together, we co-create consulting interventions designed to achieve specific, measurable outcomes. Our clients are the experts in their own business and context. What Najera Consulting brings is the added value of seasoned judgment, earned wisdom, and proven processes — insights shaped by decades of experience across sectors and industries. Our role is to help forward your business goals and support your prosperity in all that you do.
Equity isn’t just a concept for us — it’s the lens through which we see and engage with the world. For over 50 years, Gabriel Najera has been deeply engaged in social justice work, spanning community organizing during the Chicano movement to advising national nonprofits, foundations, and academic institutions. Our work is rooted in the conviction that people already have what they’re seeking; they simply need the right conditions and tools to release their “imprisoned splendor.”
Our signature Nonprofit Model for Social Impact is an organic, adaptive framework inspired by Peter Drucker. Our model integrates Systems Thinking, Collective Impact principles, and Drucker’s hallmark emphasis on mission clarity. This approach enables us to tackle complex challenges at their root—moving beyond surface-level fixes to create deep, lasting solutions.
Nonprofit Model for Social Impact
Our proprietary framework that guides organizations from vision to measurable, lasting change.
Collective Impact
A collaborative approach that aligns stakeholders around a common agenda and shared measurement metrics.
Systems Thinking
A method for uncovering root causes and understanding the interconnected factors shaping complex challenges.
Mission Clarity
Ensuring your mission is precise, inspiring, and directly aligned with your organization’s social impact goals.
How We Work
Gabriel Najera Leads or Oversees Every Engagement
Every project benefits from Gabriel Najera’s direct leadership, ensuring your engagement receives experienced guidance, strategic focus, and a collaborative approach from start to finish.
Custom Teams Built For You
We build custom project teams from a trusted network of senior consultants — selected for subject matter expertise, lived experience, and cultural alignment. Clients work with us as co-creators, ensuring strategies are actionable, inclusive, and mission-aligned.
We Transfer Capabilities
We don’t just deliver recommendations — we transfer capabilities, equipping your team with the tools and confidence to sustain progress long after our work together ends.
Our Network of Experts
Our network includes former executive directors, nonprofit board leaders, and program directors with deep expertise across strategy, governance, operations, and evaluation. These collaborators are trusted partners who share our commitment to measurable, equitable impact.
Leadership Roles
Our network is built on leaders who have been in the trenches and at the helm. From guiding organizations through periods of growth to navigating complex challenges, these professionals bring decades of first-hand leadership experience.
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Former Executive Directors
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Nonprofit Board Leaders
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Foundation Program Directors
- Founders of Nonprofit Organizations
Areas of Expertise
Our consultants offer specialized knowledge across the key functions that make organizations thrive. Each area of expertise is backed by years of practical application and measurable results.
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Strategic Planning
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Collective Impact
- Nonprofit Operations
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Governance
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Program Design
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Program Evaluation
- Resource Development
Who We Work With
We partner with nonprofits, coalitions, higher education institutions, and foundations nationwide. The organizations we work with share a common trait: they’re ready for transformation. Whether it’s reimagining strategy, embracing new perspectives, or letting go of outdated assumptions, our clients are committed to bold, lasting change. Together, we create the clarity and momentum needed to turn that vision into reality.
“Working with Najera Consulting Group made our long-overdue strategic planning process simpler and more effective than we imagined. Gabriel’s easy-going style helped our team open up quickly, and his guidance kept us on a clear path—even when it wasn’t obvious to us at the time. Thanks to his expertise, El Hogar del Niño is now strongly positioned to seize future opportunities, and our partnership will continue to grow.”
What Makes Us Different
Equity-Rooted & Community-Centered
We weave diverse perspectives into cohesive, actionable strategies.
Co-Creation over Handoffs:
Your team helps build the plan, so implementation sticks.
Recognized Results:
Clients earn third-party recognition for measurable, lasting impact.
Ready to Create Lasting Impact?
Contact Najera Consulting Group today to discover how our tailored strategies can help your organization overcome challenges and accelerate your impact. Let’s work together to create meaningful change.
