Hidden Gems: Meet Danielle Brower of Hopeward Consulting

Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle Brower

Hi Danielle, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I have always been a people person. During my undergraduate studies, I was drawn to understanding human connection and the intricate ways individuals and communities shape each other. I was fortunate to have a mentor who recognized my eagerness to engage directly with communities and encouraged me to pursue an internship. My internship at Safehome, a local domestic violence agency, confirmed that my drive to connect and support others was aligned with the core values of social work.
After my internship, I was hired as an advocate and served in various roles, supporting individuals who had experienced trauma and adversity, which was often compounded by complex systemic challenges, such as navigating the legal system, securing safe housing, and/or accessing financial resources. As we can all imagine, these additional barriers can feel insurmountable for many. I had the privilege of working alongside a team of compassionate and dedicated colleagues who were deeply invested in the wellbeing of those we supported. The “cube room”, where much of our work took place, was a space of shared wisdom, innovative problem-solving, and constant learning. It was filled with laughter, connection, and support, amid the complex challenges we helped navigate daily. The “cube room” was a space that allowed me to fail, reflect, grow and envision what I wanted my professional journey to look like.

Through this experience, I began thinking more about the systems we were working within, and like many, noticed the broader systemic issues that often make accessing needed resources harder. I wanted to help reduce these barriers on a larger scale, so I pursued my Master’s in Social Work, focusing on macro-level practice – how policies, programs, and systems are designed and implemented, and how they can be improved to better serve individuals and communities.

Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to work on a range of local, regional, and national initiatives, from multi-organizational partnerships to statewide coalitions and projects. The most impactful aspect of all of my roles has been witnessing the incredible journey of empowerment that can unfold when someone is provided with the right resources and support, at the right time, in the ways most meaningful to them. I believe that by strengthening systems, collaboratives, communities and social service organizations we can create sustainable, long-term impact.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As a co-owner of a small business, I’m not just supporting our clients in tackling some of their biggest challenges, charting a vision for the future, or communicating their impact through evaluation – I am also handling the accounting, social media management (not a strong suit), communication direction, and am responsible for all the paperwork. Why is there always so much paperwork?!

At the core, I am a social worker, but owning a small business means juggling the “business” side of things, and I approach that with the heart of why we started in the first place. The reality is that this work allows us to focus on what truly matters. It’s all the behind-the-scenes stuff that keeps our metaphorical lights on, enabling our consultants to do the work they are most passionate about.

Every day hasn’t been perfect, and I am so immensely grateful for the resources and people who have provided their expertise and support along the way. I’ve joined women business groups and participated in small business trainings. I’ve learned so much, which has given me a deep appreciation for every aspect of running a business – even the parts that make you want to drink an extra cup of coffee before 8am. Despite the learning curve and the bumps along the way, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I absolutely love what we do at Hopeward, and even more, I love getting to work with people who are just as passionate about their work as we are.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Hopeward Consulting?
At Hopeward, our mission is helping you succeed in yours. We support and empower individuals, organizations, networks, and communities through human-centered solutions. We specialize in creating meaningful connections that drive collaborative change forward.

In 2022, I co-founded Hopeward Consulting with my longtime colleague, Rebecca Gillam. Having worked together for several years, we share a deep understanding of the challenges faced by organizations and communities. Our complementary skills, expertise, and shared values allow us to approach our work with a unique perspective, fostering innovation and collaboration to achieve meaningful outcomes.

At Hopeward we specialize in providing services that reflect our commitment to collaboration and impact:
● Planning & Assessment: We assist clients in assessing and strategically planning in alignment with their goals and aspirations.
● Program & Project Development & Implementation: We design and execute impactful programs and projects that create meaningful change.
● Evaluation & Impact Reporting: We make data accessible and provide valuable insights that measure and enhance the effectiveness of services and initiatives.
● Collaboration & Collective Impact: We facilitate connections among stakeholders to strengthen collective efforts and foster community engagement, driving shared success.
More important than what we do, is how we do it. We prioritize:
● Hope: We believe that the future can be different, and that we each have the power to make it so.
● Connection: We care about you and the people you serve. We actively listen to the realities of where you are and what you need so that we can provide targeted services and support to help you succeed.
● Adaptability: We are very comfortable with ambiguity and change. We understand that you are navigating complex and dynamic challenges, and the ability to adjust quickly and efficiently as things evolve is vital.
● Authenticity – We stay true to our values, believing that meaningful partnerships include transparency, sincerity, respect, and accountability.
● Quality – We strive to deliver high quality services that make lasting, positive impact.

We are ready to work alongside you and your team, navigating challenges together. We pride ourselves on our ongoing relationships with clients, celebrating their continued impact and innovation.

At Hopeward, we believe every nonprofit has a unique purpose and vision to create a better world. Our goal is to empower you and your organization with tailored solutions that make a lasting difference.

We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
One thing that might surprise people is that I have a bit of a complicated relationship with the term “consultant”. Let’s be real – it often feels like a fancy way of saying – someone who swoops in, takes a look around, and hands you a report that might end up as a very expensive coffee coaster. We all know the kind of “support” that vanishes faster than your favorite party snack when things get tricky, or rigidly adheres to the scope of work, ignoring the complexities of your organization and leaving you high and dry when challenges arise or the project shifts. At Hopeward, we want to change that stereotype. We aren’t the kind of “consultants” who just throw a framework your way and then disappear. Instead, we’re here to get in the mud with you – we are ready to roll up our sleeves, get a little messy, and tackle the tough stuff together. We want to understand your team, your challenges, and your dreams.
Forget the one-size-fits-all approach, we’re all about customizing support to fit your unique situation. So, if you find yourself in need of some real teamwork – complete with laughter, a bit of mud, and maybe even some snacks along the way – we’re all in.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://hopewardconsulting.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HopewardConsulting/
• Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellejbrower/