Our Services
We integrate mixed-method research, urban planning, and organizational development to advance new solutions to complex culture and structure problems.
Our work is rooted in consistent innovation to meet the unique needs of our clients, and the rapidly changing climate of our shared public commons.
Mainstream consultants often use outdated approaches to research that can center the engagement and opinions of vested interests - big or small - within an ecosystem. Too often, this leads to very little knowledge sharing that is of real value to clients that seek results, innovation and change. Our values and approach makes us unique in the field of management consulting and equity because in all of our products and services we deploy a design thinking process that leverages research as a tool for learning, trust building, planning, buy-in, and decision-making.
Our clients gain a deeper understanding of their organization, policies, or impact in order to identify opportunities for solutions and innovation. We work with your staff and key stakeholders on a path of mutual learning, celebrating that which works, and creating shared spaces for activating values-based and data-driven trade-offs.
Research
Our Approach to Research
Whether we are designing multidisciplinary research and engagement frameworks for strategic or neighborhood development plans, leveraging social and urban planning methodologies to prototype strategic decision-making tools, or evaluating your organization’s programming and internal culture, our cultural competency and technical skills give our clients the fuller picture they need.
Our team has a background in policy and program evaluation, survey design, quantitative and qualitative urban planning analysis, multivariable political research, qualitative analysis and coding, and Geographic Information Systems.
Urban Planning
Our research and engagement framework is the bedrock of all aspects of our project management, community engagement, data analysis, and the strategic goals of our urban planning clients. Since 2019, we have been working with Boston and municipal entities across Massachusetts such the Boston Planning and Development Agency,the Boston Transit Department, Worcester, Easthampton, Lowell, and New Bedford to develop unique research, planning, engagement, and evaluations frameworks.
These tools and practices allow for multidisciplinary consultant teams and our clients to materialize concrete steps towards equity. In each engagement, we take our time up front to establish a shared meaning and guidelines for equity that is project and place specific. We then work with our clients and consultant team to advance strategic prioritization, measurement, and accountability products that reflect these guidelines.
TESTIMONIAL
“Rivera Consulting has brought an equity lens and community-informed approach to our evaluation that has proved critical to capturing the voice of everyday bus riders. Their ability to combine data-driven research frameworks with intentional outreach and facilitation strategies is a skillset we deeply value.”
– Liza Cohen, Senior Associate, Stantec
Organizational Development
In collaboration with our clients, we co-create strategic plans and co-assess organizational mission and goals through hearts, minds, and asset-driven research on programming, behavior, and staffing. At the core of these plans are 21st century solutions rooted both in relational trust building and techniques of data analysis and collection.
It is our goal to collaborate with our clients to work beyond spreadsheets, and uncover the future of their work. At its core, we explore what is needed to create the greatest impact, and discover together the opportunities and barriers to achieving it.
TESTIMONIAL
“It was such a pleasure working with Wilnelia and the Rivera team on our strategic plan! They were intentional in crafting an inclusive stakeholder engagement process that made our entire team feel seen and heard, and they pushed us to be bold with our proposed strategy.”
- Crystal P. Tyler PhD, MPH, Chief Health Officer, Rhia Ventures
Our suite of services and strategic thinking is unmatched.
People-Centered Research & Planning
Whether we’re working with municipalities or guiding organizations through a strategic plan, central to Rivera Consulting Inc’s approach is the experience of staff, board, and their core stakeholders. As Equity advisors, strategists, and project managers we design clear and predictable workflows that begin with a robust discovery phase, a listening and learning stage that leverage tactics such as surveys, stakeholder interviews, and focus groups to ensure that in the wrap up stage, our recommendations are in alignment with the individuals or communities most impacted.
Equity Advisors & Strategists
Through the use of asset mapping and long-form design labs, we are experts in developing equity frameworks for policy analysis, community engagement, and internal processes. We root our approach in innovative and equity-based research frameworks, policy analysis, strategic community engagement, and facilitation techniques. And we design conversations and focus groups in a systematic, data-driven fashion so that we’re able to quantify complex qualitative data.
Human-Centered Facilitation
As multi-disciplinary practitioners, our team has a wide breadth of experience facilitating leadership teams, nonprofit partners, and fiduciary boards for conversations that illicit clarity, buy-in and decision-making. To engage in planning, design and research from a perspective of social justice and equity means integrating human-centered planning practices in the planning and development of a neighborhood, strategic plan, or assessment. This means fostering the conditions through practices and norms that create the conditions for clients and stakeholders to participate more intentionally and thoughtfully.
Change Management
We have worked with Executive Directors in one-to-one coaching or leadership team coaches, stewarding and embedding staff learning and reflection, and leading movement leaders across the country in fundraising and capacity-building programs. Our goal is to understand and unlock knowledge and systems for learning, sharing, and planning.
We look forward to hearing from you.
info@riveraconsult.com
(617) 410-6631
50 Milk St, 15th Floor
Boston, Massachusetts, 02106