Photo by Tristan Olif Over the last 6 months, I have had the privilege to co-lead a strategic planning process for the Faculty of Social Work at Wilfrid Laurier University with my colleague Andrew Taylor. It’s the first time we’ve formally teamed up to co-lead a strategic plan. We’ve both done them. We’ve both supported
This blog post was developed based on conversations between Sarah Benkirane and Jason Newberry about TNC’s history and approach to strategic planning. We hope to share what we’ve learned about strategic planning from years of evaluation, partnership, and close collaboration with the non-profit sector. There’s a moment that shifted how we think about strategy. It
In May 2025, we launched a pilot at Taylor Newberry Consulting (TNC) to test a bi-weekly 4-day work week. As a research and evaluation firm grounded in evidence and continuous improvement, we wanted to apply the same learning mindset to our own operations. Our question was simple: Could we strengthen team sustainability while maintaining or
The two of us started TNC 16 years ago, in a coffee shop in Guelph. We were already experienced community researchers, and so we knew that we wanted our new firm to focus on people and relationships, and not just ideas or methods. We wanted to work with organizations that we believed in, in ways
If you had asked us 10 years ago if we ever saw ourselves becoming business owners, the answer probably would have been “no”. But when Andrew and Jason approached us with the idea, it suddenly all made sense; the decision to make TNC our permanent home was an easy one. Andrew and Jason have created
At TNC, we often help our clients adapt to achieve more impact. While changes in programming and approach are always helpful, true transformation often requires changes in how decisions are made and who has a seat at the table. In that spirit, we are thrilled to announce that Laine Bourassa and Karla Stroud are now
What it Means to Build Spaces Where People Can Be Seen Over the past few years, we’ve had the privilege of working alongside The 519 on a number of projects, each one grounded in a deep commitment to community, dignity, and care for the 2SLGBTQ+ community. What stands out most as we reflect on our
Photo by Tristan OliffAndrew joins young environmental leaders from Lawson Foundation’s Youth Action & Environment Pilot Fellowship as they do outdoor yoga together in Quebec City. Earth Day is traditionally and rightfully focused on carbon reduction targets and policy shifts, but after reflecting on some of our prior evaluation projects focussed on climate change, our
At Taylor Newberry Consulting, we’ve always believed that research should be a force for social good. But we also know that our impact in the community starts with how we treat each other. Over the last year, we have focused deeply on our commitment to staff well-being, looking for ways to ensure our internal culture
Earlier this week was Trans Day of Visibility, a day to highlight the experiences of trans, nonbinary, and gender-diverse people, while recognizing the complex realities they continue to navigate every day. In that spirit, we want to highlight TNC staff member Paul’s (they/them) recently published article in the International Journal of Transgender Health, “Hi, my
This International Women’s Day, TNC would like to spotlight one of our partners, Capacity Canada, an organization dedicated to strengthening the nonprofit sector across the country. Since 2009, Capacity Canada has worked alongside nonprofits to help organizations grow their leadership, strengthen governance, and explore new approaches to meeting the needs of their communities. TNC has
Mener des projets bilingues: quand aucune langue n’est secondaire Depuis mon arrivée chez Taylor Newberry Consulting, j’ai eu l’occasion de travailler sur une dizaine de projets bilingues, menés en français et en anglais, souvent simultanément. Ces projets m’ont rappelé à quel point le bilinguisme, dans un contexte de consultation et d’évaluation, va bien au-delà de
This Black History Month, TNC would like to spotlight one of our newer partners, The Black Daddies Club (BDC). Founded in 2008 by Brandon Hay, the Black Daddies Club was created to give Black fathers a community where it may have been lacking before. BDC builds opportunities for fathers and their families to gather and
As we look back on 2025, we see a year defined by strides in our professional impact and a deep, intentional focus on how we show up for one another. It was a year of “firsts”—from testing new ways of working to welcoming new faces—all while staying grounded in the milestones that make our team
We are thrilled to share that Sarah Benkirane is officially joining Taylor Newberry Consulting full-time as a Senior Consultant this November. After three years of contributing to TNC in part-time roles ranging from Research Consultant to Project Manager, Sarah has played an integral role in advancing projects focused on equity, mental health, and gender-based violence
Working with organizations who serve the ADHD community, I’ve come to realize that my lived experience with ADHD isn’t just a personal trait; it’s a powerful tool for connecting with people and understanding them. Whether it’s with adults and youth navigating their own ADHD or with parents supporting children with ADHD, there’s an inherent understanding
TNC is excited to announce that we have promoted Katelyn Mitri to the position of Senior Research Consultant. In just two years with our team, Katelyn has demonstrated exceptional ability in designing and leading complex research projects, while building strong working relationships with our partners. Her unique perspective, informed by a Ph.D. in Sociology, experience
At Taylor Newberry Consulting, we’re always looking for ways to enhance not only the well-being of our team but also the quality of service we provide to our clients. Building on the success of our “No Meeting Fridays” initiative, we’re excited to announce our bi-weekly 4-day work week pilot! Starting May 16, 2025, our office
