We partner to chart strategy, develop talent, and deliver impact. 

Together, we work to define and achieve your project's ambitious goals. By partnering deeply with you, we obtain a unique lens into strengths and areas for growth for your team and your organization, provide in-the-moment coaching and advising, build internal capacity, advance equity, and leverage natural opportunities for increasing impact during different phases of the project.

George Kaiser Family Foundation

George Kaiser Family Foundation (GKFF) hired Lisa F. Lazarus to lead a team of GKFF program officers in developing and securing funding for the Birth through Eight Strategy for Tulsa (BEST), a 10-year initiative whose four main goals are to increase the percentages of children:

• Born healthy

• On a positive developmental trajectory by age 3

• Ready to enter kindergarten

• Achieving success by third grade 

Lazarus worked as an embedded consultant with GKFF, becoming an integral part of the team as she designed and facilitated an inclusive process for creating BEST. To develop the strategy’s vision and Phase I proposal, Lazarus created a platform for caregivers and 90+ leaders across sectors to inform BEST via interviews, convenings, and focus groups. Lazarus conducted the partner interviews, led five generative convenings and two formal feedback sessions with those partners, and participated in myriad informal conversations to obtain ongoing input and feedback. Lazarus and the BEST team also worked with university partners to conduct focus groups with parents and caregivers to inform the strategy.

Lazarus led the team in writing and submitting a proposal to Blue Meridian Partners, which is comprised of 12 philanthropic national institutions and individuals. Lazarus presented recommendations to and secured $31M from Blue Meridian to leverage $76M from a local funder for Phase I implementation.

Throughout the process, Lazarus fostered partnerships between and among organizations to align resources and streamline services for clients. At the request of George Kaiser Family Foundation, Lazarus has continued to support the Foundation and the BEST Management Team. She led the development of BEST Phase II, which secured an additional $117M from Blue Meridian to leverage an additional $365M from the local funder.

Lazarus continues to be engaged as a trusted advisor, strategist, and coach to generate open dialogue around complex issues; expand perspectives; and contribute to an innovative, inclusive approach and plan tailored to create results with the community.