Our founder, Rosemary S. Linares is a New York University Wagner School of Public Service graduate. After graduating in May 2010, Ms. Linares wanted to return to her home state to strengthen the nonprofit sector as the state faced (and continues to face) massive budget cuts and unemployment, disproportionately affecting communities of color, women, and low-income individuals and families. Forming an advisory committee composed of her colleagues from NYU, she embarked on a strategic planning process to guide her work in Michigan. Upon returning to Michigan, she began assessing the nonprofit landscape for work happening at the intersections of racial and economic justice and social justice for the LGBT community. During this exploratory phase she met with leaders of over 20 nonprofit organizations in the state, as well as funders, learning about their work and sharing her ideas around advancing social justice with an intersectional lens in Michigan. These activities, combined with her previous work experience and masters program, have given her a solid foundation for creating and sustaining strong professional relationships across Michigan. She realized that the way to have the most impact on advancing social justice in Michigan would be to launch a new consulting practice and collaborate with organizations that support the mission of her consultancy.