Endorsements

“Over the past five years, Andrea Lynch is the person I call on to facilitate and guide complex and multi-layered strategy development processes. She is well connected and trusted by advocates and funders in the U.S. and globally. Andrea is able to unfailingly center race, gender and class in how she works, the decisions that are made and the products that are produced. I first worked with her to develop the Ford Foundation’s strategy on reproductive and gender justice, where she conducted essential interviews of the gender and reproductive justice fields and created clear recommendations grounded by the experts she interviewed. These recommendations informed the ultimate Ford Foundation strategy. Ford colleagues and I later worked with Andrea to develop a Southern Learning Agenda. Andrea partnered with Institute for Southern Studies to lead a process in which the diversity, energy and potential of the U.S. South were highlighted through reports, learning tours and panel discussions. This led to multi-million dollar, cross-foundation investment, in southern organizations that center race and gender in their work. Most recently I was able to work with Andrea as she facilitated the North Star process, which brought together funders and advocates from the reproductive rights and justice field. Andrea has put her masterful facilitation skills to use, partnering to move forward a field alignment process with a diversity of stakeholders. Andrea continues to grow, learn and adapt new skills to her toolkit. Most importantly, she has a delightful sense of fun and humor, which makes working with her a joy.”

Brook Kelly-Green, Senior Director, Gender and Reproductive Equity Grantmaking, Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies

“We have been working with Andrea for the past couple of years. She has three superpowers that are especially worth noting: one, she is a deep listener (even when you are not clear what you need) and can translate what you are saying into a process that will get exactly where you need to go; two, she can hold room for both spacious and pragmatic thinking; and three, she can seamlessly integrate team-building approaches with strategic and programmatic processes.  I cannot recommend working with her enough – she is incredible!”

Program Director, Anonymous Private Foundation

“I love working with Andrea. She is a master facilitator, as well as a great thought partner and implementer. Over the last three years, Andrea and I have worked closely on a project to help the reproductive freedom movement identify and implement a new north star. It is complicated and delicate work, and I am very clear that we would not be where we are without Andrea’s wisdom and leadership. She employs the delicate art of knowing when to push and when to fall back, letting the process unfold. Andrea has deep emotional intelligence which elevates her process and outcomes. Finally, I appreciate that Andrea is always willing to roll up her sleeves and jump into the weeds, making sure we stay organized and on course regardless of the circumstance. I feel lucky to have Andrea in my professional orbit.”

Katherine Grainger, Partner, Civitas Public Affairs

“We had the pleasure of working with Andrea to support our 2019-2020 strategic planning process. In this capacity Andrea also facilitated and helped organize three network-wide membership meetings. She is steeped in the intersections of philanthropy and feminist organizing. Her facilitation skills and analysis deepen conversations and move groups toward cohesion and action. She works with her clients to ensure all perspectives are heard and needs are met. She brings a curiosity to her work and seeks to understand various perspectives. Her humor is a great asset for both group and one-on-one interactions. She knows how to light up a room!”

Annie Hillar and Keely Tongate, co-directors, Gender Funders CoLab (formerly PAWHR)

“I have had the distinct honor of working with Andrea for over a decade—first in her role as a consultant who led Mama Cash in a mid-term evaluation of its strategic plan in 2011, then in her role as a co-facilitator of Foundation for a Just Society’s strategic planning process in 2018, and most recently as a strategic advisor and coach.

If you are looking for someone with integrity, creativity, fantastic listening and communication skills with all kinds of people, and a deep understanding of social justice and collective action to transform economic, political and social relations, then look no further. Andrea’s strategic and analytical skills are impressive and she has a rare ability to understand, interpret, and present complex information in simple, accessible ways. She is a great strategist, thought partner and facilitator, has unparalleled writing skills, and is not afraid to look beyond, and push others to look beyond, the well-trodden path. Andrea has a strong track record in feminism and human rights, gender and racial justice, and private and public philanthropy including strong experience with participatory grantmaking. She is engaged in the global debate on these issues at a strategic level. I recommend Andrea without reservation.”

Nicky McIntyre, CEO, Foundation for a Just Society