UMBRAL. (noun) UM-bruhl
A twilight threshold
activated by convergence offering a transitional passage opening previously inaccessible ways of being and doing
Harmonizing head and heart approaches to transformational change
What Umbral Consulting does
Umbral Consulting partners as a strategic consultant with learning organizations and collectives to grow their social impact through restorative practices and transformational leadership.
We activate dynamic multicultural and cross sector conversations, rooted in reciprocity, to co-develop enduring norms, policies, and practices that support healthy people and ecosystems.
Convergence of Voices and Worldviews
Our Story
Umbral Consulting was named to convey a dedication to partner with clients who aim to bridge diverse communities to build collective power in service of reciprocal health and wellbeing for people and places.
Convergence refers to power spots that exist both in nature and humanity. In nature, convergence is a location where airflows or ocean currents meet. In word origin, the verb converge comes from the Latin convergere, which means “to incline together.” In our work, “to incline together” implies that in leaning toward one another in deep listening, a temporary instability ensues that is foundational to alter habitual perceptions and enable emergence.
In the convergence of voices and worldviews, portals to transformational change open. This presents a choice. Convergence has the potential to be creative or destructive.
We believe in the value of tending transitional spaces to reclaim what the researcher Vanessa Andreotti aptly calls “exiled capacities,” so we can meet the dynamism of convergence with a compassionate, humble, and joyful spirit.
Replace speed with nuance
Values and Operational Principles
Universal Values
Here is how we define our universal values. By universal, we mean that they are values that are intended to benefit everyone, everywhere, leaving no one out.
Interdependence + reciprocity
The recognition that my well being is tied with yours and that ours is tied up with nature, which motivates action that is mutually beneficial.
Humility
From the word humus, the Latin word for earth or ground, a quality of dynamic groundedness that allows for recognition of strengths and our shared humanity, as well as receptivity to ongoing growth and learning. We also think of humility as the ability to attune to ripeness, or good timing.
Compassion
Related to the sanskrit word karuna, this refers to when the heart breaks open and action must be taken to diminish the suffering of others.
Creativity
When joyful curiosity sparks the flame of our collective imagination to generate new possibilities.
Joy
The capacity for enjoyment and appreciation.
Values and Operational Principles
Operating Principles
- Joyful curiosity
- Self awareness & generative inquiry
- Willingness to lean into discomfort to listen, learn & grow
- Experimentation through iteration and feedback loops
- Open communication & transparency
- Centering potentials for collaboration & synergy
Healthy organisms thrive in diversity
What makes us different?
Holistic Approach
Umbral Consulting was named to convey a dedication to partner with clients who aim to bridge diverse communities to build collective power in service of reciprocal health and wellbeing for people and places.
Our holistic approach means that we don’t offer individual services in a vacuum but rather, consider how they potentiate one another to advance collective power building strategies.
Having said that, we tailor our offerings to the needs of our clients at different stages of their collective power building journey. We are interested in developing long term relationships whenever possible. Our partnership mindset means that we aim to cross pollinate our clients’ experience and skills with our own to amplify our collaboration. We want to learn with you!
Strategic capacities we are focused on supporting
Strategic Services
“Power building” is a widely used term to describe a strategy in the field of social impact that entails developing or growing a wide range of capacities to catalyze a shift from disempowering to empowering narratives, systems and norms.
Umbral Consulting aims to locate its services within a larger power building strategy by specifying which strategic capacities we are focused on supporting, and how we do it.
Please note that this list of services is not comprehensive.
Strategic Capacity 1
Unearthing Authentic Solidarity
Corresponding Services
Circle Facilitation:
People Dialogues: We activate dynamic affinity, multicultural and cross sector conversations rooted in reciprocal learning and heartfelt connection to shape collaborative action. Our methodologies are informed by restorative practices.
Place Dialogues: A journey of generative inquiry, art and interactive exercises designed to shift individual and collective perception of connections and entanglements with the land. The goal is to contextualize people’s relationship to place and make space for new possibilities to emerge. This learning passage builds on: (1) Chapter 3 of the book: Terrapsychology: Further Inquiry Into Self, Place and Planet, authored by Annabelle Berríos, titled: Alternative Mapping: Tracking Solidarity to Sacred Sites, and (2) the Terrapsychology course Annabelle offered at the New York Open Center as part of the Certificate in Holistic Psychology from 2014 to 2015.
Strategic Capacity 2
Sprouting Community Partnerships
Corresponding Services
Facilitation of Strategic Retreats:
We partner with organizations + collectives to develop a strategic design of initiatives with a clear roadmap to implementation, rooted in universal values and centering opportunities for collaboration + synergy. Our methodology is led by the application of Dr. Monica Sharma’s Radical Transformational Leadership framework.
Cohort Capacity Building: Curriculum Design & Facilitation:
Introductory Leadership Journey: This is a foundational 4-month cohort for community members who are new to leadership where they develop a leadership narrative as a foundational step to collaboration.
Introduction to Community Partnerships: This is a foundational training for professional staff to support the shift from helping to collaborating with community leaders.
Leadership Coaching:
One-on-one coaching for leaders in transition who want to clarify their leadership vision and values and address obstacles to collaborative leadership.
Strategic Capacity 3
Iterating Empowering Norms and Narratives
Corresponding Services
Synthesis, Analysis and Recommendations:
We support healthy feedback loops by synthesizing learning, identifying patterns, and making recommendations for the next iteration or cycle of the project. Harvesting learning and identifying key questions to move the work forward supports the iteration of new partnership norms.
Participatory Evaluation:
We believe that evaluation in partnership is the strongest kind of evaluation. It is a way of evaluating WITH people, not ON people. Umbral Consulting values partnering with experienced participatory evaluators when possible to uncover meaningful learning for all stakeholders, and to inform empowering new norms and narratives.
Strategic capacities we are focused on supporting
Strategic Services
“Power building” is a widely used term to describe a strategy in the field of social impact that entails developing or growing a wide range of capacities to catalyze a shift from disempowering to empowering narratives, systems and norms.
Umbral Consulting aims to locate its services within a larger power building strategy by specifying which strategic capacities we are focused on supporting, and how we do it.
Please note that this list of services is not comprehensive.
Strategic Capacity
Corresponding Services
Unearthing Authentic Solidarity
Circle Facilitation:
People Dialogues: We activate dynamic affinity, multicultural and cross sector conversations rooted in reciprocal learning and heartfelt connection to shape collaborative action. Our methodologies are informed by restorative practices.
Place Dialogues: A journey of generative inquiry, art and interactive exercises designed to shift individual and collective perception of connections and entanglements with the land. The goal is to contextualize people’s relationship to place and make space for new possibilities to emerge. This learning passage builds on: (1) Chapter 3 of the book: Terrapsychology: Further Inquiry Into Self, Place and Planet, authored by Annabelle Berríos, titled: Alternative Mapping: Tracking Solidarity to Sacred Sites, and (2) the Terrapsychology course Annabelle offered at the New York Open Center as part of the Certificate in Holistic Psychology from 2014 to 2015.
Sprouting Community Partnerships
Facilitation of Strategic Retreats:
We partner with organizations + collectives to develop a strategic design of initiatives with a clear roadmap to implementation, rooted in universal values and centering opportunities for collaboration + synergy. Our methodology is led by the application of Dr. Monica Sharma’s Radical Transformational Leadership framework.
Cohort Capacity Building: Curriculum Design & Facilitation:
Introductory Leadership Journey: This is a foundational 4-month cohort for community members who are new to leadership where they develop a leadership narrative as a foundational step to collaboration.
Introduction to Community Partnerships: This is a foundational training for professional staff to support the shift from helping to collaborating with community leaders.
Leadership Coaching:
One-on-one coaching for leaders in transition who want to clarify their leadership vision and values and address obstacles to collaborative leadership.
Iterating Empowering Norms and Narratives
Synthesis, Analysis and Recommendations:
We support healthy feedback loops by synthesizing learning, identifying patterns, and making recommendations for the next iteration or cycle of the project. Harvesting learning and identifying key questions to move the work forward supports the iteration of new partnership norms.
Participatory Evaluation:
We believe that evaluation in partnership is the strongest kind of evaluation. It is a way of evaluating WITH people, not ON people. Umbral Consulting values partnering with experienced participatory evaluators when possible to uncover meaningful learning for all stakeholders, and to inform empowering new norms and narratives.
“We stand alone but we are never alone.”
Dr. Monica Sharma, author of Radical Transformational Leadership
Convergence of Head and Heart Approaches
About
Annabelle Berríos, Founder of Umbral Consulting:
Annabelle’s very existence is the result of convergence. She was born in the archipelago of Borikén, now known as Puerto Rico, which lies on a dynamic zone between two tectonic plates moving in opposite directions: the North American plate (shifting west) and the northeast corner of the Caribbean plate (shifting east)…
Annabelle collaborates with other consultants to offer a spectrum of support that is customized for clients on a case-by case basis.
What are people saying?
Testimonials
F.A.Q.
Frequently
Asked
Questions
Why do I need a strategic consultant?
Because building trust and designing for impact saves time in the long run. When you partner with a strategic consultant, you get to focus on your role while also having a thought partner to hold the bigger picture and identify ways of doing things differently for a different result. Since we don’t work within your organization or collective, we can hold a wider view. You can expect us to deeply listen, help organize your thinking, offer generative feedback, hold a container for dynamic group conversations and synthesize collective learning, among other things.
Our team is short staffed. Are you available to join our team for a period of time to bridge the gap?
No, we don’t provide staff augmentation services.
Do you consider working with clients that are outside California?
Yes. Many groups and organizations work on projects that are relevant globally, even when they are implemented locally. Please schedule a free consultation, below, to explore further.
What languages do you speak fluently?
English and Spanish.
How do you price your services?
There are different options available. We can be available for consultation on a monthly retainer, charge hourly or develop a flat service fee. If travel is involved, we usually charge a travel stipend. Clients are responsible to cover other related expenses, such as materials and space rental.
What are the terms of working with you?
Engagements generally range from 6 months to several years, depending on the scope of work. We might also work together for a limited duration on a project together annually, which could align with annual or biannual strategic retreats.
Do you facilitate processes to address workplace conflict?
Generally speaking, no. We don’t offer dispute resolution per se. We facilitate listening circles which may surface historical harms or conflicts which are part of the stakeholder context and important to address to set or refresh collaboration guidelines.
Do you offer a free consultation?
Yes. When you schedule an exploratory conversation, you will be asked to fill out a short questionnaire and will receive a calendar invite with a Zoom link for a free 45 minute meeting.