about us:
We are your partner, and your supporter. We are skilled practitioners and leaders who will help you explore a new road, tackle big challenges, and leave behind what no longer serves you. From neighborhood projects to national systems, we help leaders on the path to meaningful social change.
What we do:
We guide purpose-driven leaders, teams, and organizations to realize meaningful social change. We can help define your value proposition, sharpen your program strategy, diversify your revenue streams, or transform your organization’s culture.
As your partner, we help you navigate complex problems and realize courageous solutions.
We turn chaos
into clarity
Our approach:
Downie Street knows you have everything you need – the courage, skills and resilience – to be an effective leader and create positive impact in our world.
Our job is to help you optimize those assets and capitalize on opportunities for growth.
Our services:
We’ll be with you every step, and it might lead somewhere unexpected.
Every bridge begins with a
single stone set in place
what people say:
what people say:
“Working with Don and Nicole helped me sharpen the big-picture storytelling and strategic framing behind my work—especially for funders and new audiences. They guided me through developing a theory of change and helped me reimagine how to communicate our mission in a way that’s compelling, clear, and widely resonant. What stood out was their ability to zoom out with me and articulate the deep, systemic relevance of our work, while also supporting me in thinking through team leadership and priorities so I could stay focused on what matters most.”
AJ Schaerer, Trans Advocacy & Care Team
“Downie Street’s facilitated sessions are an art form that has been carefully honed through decades of experience and practice. They make it look easy but it is not.”
Emily Cherniack, New Politics
“They asked thoughtful, strategic questions that pushed my thinking and helped clarify the causal links in our model. Their feedback was both honest and empowering, helping me articulate impact with precision and confidence. They created a space where I could learn, challenge assumptions, and build a framework that reflects both our mission and operational reality.”
Tiffany Green, Uprooted Academy
Working with Nicole & Don helped bring my passion and purpose into alignment. Articulating my vision succinctly and confidently was a struggle before working with Downie Street. Verbalizing the vision led to me being selected for a competitive urban leaders conference. I am proud of my growth and unequivocally know this work will continue to unveil new pathways rooted in my purpose.”
Rashaunda Lanier-Jackson, MURP
“We could not have been more pleased with the sensitivity, thoughtfulness and insights of the Downie Street team. We received very helpful recommendations to improve our governance structure and relationships with funders, employees and clients. We highly recommend them for similar engagements with others.”
Board of Directors, Ubuntu Center for Peace
“I have never felt more assured and confident in my role as a leader in my organization. I find myself using skills and knowledge that I gathered at the Downie Street work sessions in my current position. Downie Street really helped uplift my confidence in designing a new organization and also understanding many aspects of nonprofit business that were necessary for me to have a realistic view of this plan.”
Nakida M
“Nicole and Don are the real deal. Their facilitation of the Guest House Executive Team Retreat was powerful and pushed us forward. Downie Street’s talent for coaching and facilitation is matched only by the size of their hearts.”
Steve Bauer, Guest House of Milwaukee