Advancing Opportunity for Immigrant Communities - Instituto del Progreso Latino
A long-term partnership that transformed a local organization into a national model for immigrant success.
Client Overview
Founded in 1977, Instituto del Progreso Latino (Instituto) is a nationally recognized nonprofit based in Chicago dedicated to advancing education, workforce development, and economic mobility for immigrant and Latino communities. With programs spanning adult education, career pathways, and youth leadership development, Instituto has become a trusted community anchor helping immigrant families achieve self-sufficiency and long-term success.
The Challenge
As Instituto’s reach expanded, the organization faced both internal and external challenges. Internally, it needed stronger strategic planning, program design, and systems capacity to sustain growth and ensure organizational resilience. Externally, immigrant and Latino communities across Chicago continued to face systemic barriers to education and employment—barriers intensified by shifting economic and political conditions.
During this period of significant change, Instituto sought a trusted partner who could help sharpen its strategy, strengthen leadership, and build a foundation for long-term impact.
Najera Consulting's Approach
From 2001 to 2016, Najera Consulting Group served as Instituto’s long-term strategic partner and advisor, guiding the organization through multiple phases of growth and transformation. Working closely with executive leadership and the board, Najera Consulting facilitated several strategic planning processes that clarified mission, vision, and direction, while aligning programs with emerging community needs.
Through a systems-thinking lens, we helped Instituto identify the root causes of barriers faced by immigrant families and design programs that holistically address those challenges—from education to workforce development to economic opportunity. Our approach integrated strategy, leadership development, and governance support, ensuring the organization had both the structural and human capacity to sustain change.
By working mainly behind the scenes, we served as a trusted advisor, thought partner, and coach—helping Instituto evolve from a local service provider into a national model for immigrant-serving organizations.
Results and Impact
Over the course of our 15-year partnership, Instituto strengthened its organizational capacity, expanded its leadership pipeline, and launched innovative programs that opened new education and career pathways for immigrant and Latino families. The organization built a resilient infrastructure for long-term sustainability, while deepening its influence locally and nationally.
This period of transformation culminated in national recognition of Instituto’s visionary leadership—symbolizing how strategy, systems thinking, and deep community partnership can drive enduring social impact.
“Najera Consulting played a pivotal role in helping Instituto grow into the organization it is today. Their culturally grounded approach to strategy and leadership development helped us strengthen our internal capacity while staying true to our mission. They were more than consultants—they were trusted partners who walked with us through every stage of transformation.”
In recognition of this partnership, Instituto del Progreso Latino’s Board of Directors formally honored Najera Consulting in a 2012 Resolution of Appreciation, acknowledging the firm’s strategic guidance, leadership development support, and enduring commitment to Instituto’s mission.”
Ready to Transform Your Impact?
Transforming an organization takes time, trust, and a systems-minded approach. Contact Najera Consulting Group today to build the strategy, leadership, and structure your mission deserves—and achieve lasting impact for the communities you serve.
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