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Testimonials
“There are few people you can call on to take a general vision or concept– not yet clearly defined – and trust them to transform it into something truly sensational. In our case, The Family and Children’s Trust Fund (FACT) commissioned Saphira Baker of Communitas Consulting to create the first-ever social indicators report on family violence for the Commonwealth. The Communitas team created a groundbreaking high-quality, accessible and innovative report that has now become a signature publication for FACT. Communitas synthesized reams of research, engaged a dynamic planning committee, gathered input from stakeholders across the state, and managed the process with characteristic equanimity, thoughtfulness and grace. I highly recommend Communitas Consulting.” Fran Inge, Executive Director, Family and Children’s Trust Fund of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia
"Saphira's work with the Homeless Outcomes Advisory Committee was invaluable in helping the group develop a set of pragmatic recommendations to improve the Commonwealth's homeless services. She is an adept facilitator and kept the group organized, focused and on task. In addition to her group process skills, Saphira brought a great deal of subject matter knowledge to our efforts. Saphira is a consummate professional and a real joy to work with." M. Shea Hollifield
It is well worth investing in a strategic planning process with Communitas Consulting. Saphira Baker has a remarkable ability to synthesize information from a range of sources - interviews, documents, meetings, and data --- and quickly identify the critical issues facing an organization. Her ability to lead a diverse group in finding practical and bold solutions is impressive, as is her support, resourcefulness and coaching throughout the process. The final strategic plan makes us a more efficient and effective organization, and includes practical tools we can put to use immediately to implement the plan.” Darcy Oman, Board Member, The Partnership for Nonprofit Excellence, and President and CEO, The Community Foundation Serving Richmond and Central Virginia, “Some people spend their time figuring out why something won't work, others spend their time figuring out how to make something work. Saphira Baker is surely the latter. She is truly a collaborator finding the common ground and building bridges for the good of a project. What is right and ethical is foremost in her motives and she is a breath of fresh air in the intense politics of public service.” Dr. Harold Fitrer
Heather Turbyne-Pollard
"Saphira Baker was able to bring our foundation and other community groups into a productive partnership with city government. She worked with us to pull together a coalition of higher education, faith-based, nonprofit, public, and business leaders to create a plan and pilot project for reducing intergenerational poverty in the Greater Richmond area. Without Saphira's combination of vision and practical know how it would have been challenging to get this important proposal off the ground." Susan Brown Davis
"Thank you for spearheading the Civic Engagement Workgroup and for letting me participate. I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute and have learned a lot.....You have been fantastic about keeping the group on goal. I, for one, appreciate your style and your thoroughness. You are a great leader." Nikki Nicholau
"In response to an institution wide planning effort, our office was charged with completing a design and building a brand new program within an ambitious timeline. Without giving it a second thought, I called Saphira for her help and expertise. I needed to engage multiple stakeholders, solicit input on a lot of new data, synthesize various viewpoints, and take action on people's ideas. Saphira was remarkable in her ability to keep the group on target, request clarification or more information when needed, and produce a product that enabled my office to move directly and quickly into implementation.Saphira accomplished what seemed an insurmountable task with high energy, inspiring professionalism, and good humor." Megan Raymond
"Homeward commissioned Saphira Baker to identify options for implementing the Rapid Rehousing concept in the Greater Richmond Region. The resulting analysis and blueprint was exceptional, both in the quality of the writing and the innovative solutions she proposed. She created a case for system change based on national research and informed by the regional government leaders, area non-profit agency staff, and funders she interviewed. Her concluding ten recommended action steps are concrete, tailor-made for our community and give us the path we need to move ahead." Kelly King Horne
"Communitas Consulting brings a deep well of expertise and credibility to its work, which has helped create critical buy-in to our regional plan for children's school readiness. In addition, Saphira Baker's ability to listen and give needed push to get decisions made at the same time are what make her an excellent consulting partner." Barbara Couto Sipe
"Communitas Consulting helped our agency jump start our efforts to plan for the 'Age Wave.' As our consultant, Saphira Baker helped make connections with key partners; facilitated planning meetings with agency heads and staff; created a collaborative agreement to manage operations; developed communication materials for staff and stakeholders; provided timely technical assistance and guidance;motivated us to stay coordinated and energized, and kept track of all the moving parts. She was invaluable to the effort in helping us launch a new regional plan." Thelma Bland Watson, Ph.D.
“Saphira Baker effectively led us through an assessment of one of our residential communities, which included a survey of over 100 households and a scan of the neighborhoods’ assets and needs. By successfully engaging our residents, board members, staff, and a host of local agencies, she ensured thorough and comprehensive input. This combination of statistical and narrative feedback was boiled down into an outstanding summary report that will be invaluable as our affiliate undertakes a strategic planning process. I commend Communitas for the ability to provide focus and efficiency while utilizing a collaborative process and culturally competent research methods to enhance our ability to serve the community. Other organizations stand to benefit greatly from Saphira’s knowledge of non-profits and ability to lead an effective planning process. Ryan Jacoby
"I have observed Saphira Baker as she provided leadership to an important regional initiative...As part of the City of Richmond team, Saphira was able to capture and articulate our vision for a regional workforce development system. She helped motivate us and others from the surrounding counties to join in supporting a completely new and promising regional model to meet business and residents' needs." Gary L. Rhodes
"Saphira Baker's commitment to community and ability to unite people in the pursuit of the greater good is well known, but she is also a force to be reckoned with inside the classroom. We were honored to have Saphira as a guest faculty member for our statewide Nonprofit Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship Program where she helped to shape Virginia's next generation of social problem solvers. Our students benefited tremendously as she unselfishly shared her knowledge and experience." G. David Carter
"Saphira Baker moves from one work group meeting to another with great grace and infectious energy and focus. When Saphira brings members of the community together, she brings out the best in everyone. She inspires busy people to do more, fractionated groups to pull together, and all of us to look more closely at the unspoken needs of the least empowered in our community - children." Edith (Winx) Lawrence
“Saphira Baker is able to bring individuals with diverse perspectives together to tackle community problems. She combines a data-driven approach with the ability to help participants identify personal and corporate strengths to problem solve, identify workable solutions and create a shared vision. Her background in public sector and nonprofit management helps her understand the perspectives of those around the table while her insight and facilitation draws people out to find common ground.” Ruth Stone
“I have the utmost respect for Saphira Baker’s abilities and integrity. She was able to manage a large portfolio of diverse city departments and work with them to implement the City of Richmond’s Vision 2020 human services strategy. Saphira was instrumental in moving our Health Department from the City administration to the Commonwealth of Virginia and led a team that addressed all aspects of the move, from communicating regularly to employees, to retirement and health care, to assets and finance, to information technology and communications.” William E. Harrell
"The university has brought Ms. Baker in as a consultant for our new Jefferson Public Citizen initiative and I had the pleasure of watching her move a group of about 20 faculty, students, and administrators successfully through a 4-hour meeting. As a participant I marveled at how smoothly she orchestrated the meeting and thought we could learn a valuable skill from her. I invited her to present to our public policy students on ‘Running Meetings’.” Paul S. Martin, Assistant Professor, Miller Center of Public Affairs and Director of Professional Development, Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
“As a newly emerging nonprofit organization, Communitas Consulting's strategic planning skills were invaluable to us. The strategic planning process was transformational for our Board, and has given our team an ambitious and clearly defined path to follow – from fundraising to board development guidance -- to support us along the way. Through her keen analysis, attentiveness to customer needs, her understanding of the community, both public and nonprofit sectors, her efficient and inviting facilitation approach, Saphira Baker is a top rate consultant. I would recommend her highly.” "Saphira Baker directed the Foundation’s efforts to increase awareness of civic engagement among older adults. She led a team whose productivity was extraordinary, resulting in new funding to share effective practices at a community symposium, a cutting edge research report, a public forum held by the major daily paper, significant media attention, and hundreds of citizens and organizations motivated to jump in and help the region engage older adults as volunteers. Saphira is an excellent facilitator, writer, communicator and problem-solver; people enjoy working with her and are motivated to go the extra mile with her leadership.”
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