Bender Consulting Services, Inc.

EnterChange Group, LLC is a small, genderqueer woman-owned research and consulting firm dedicated to elevating people and advancing organizations through equity-driven and inclusive change strategy. This firm is certified as a Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB), Women’s Business Enterprise (through WBENC), and LGBT Business Enterprise (through NGLCC). We are committed to a human-centered approach to strategic growth that centers Inclusion, Insight, Integrity, and Innovation. Intersectional equity is at the heart of our work. Appreciating difference and promoting the full contribution of all can only help us achieve the richest potential of humanity and organized work. These are the qualities that we aspire to personally and professionally. We listen first, then we use what we learn to build a strategic, equity-driven process to drive the change forward with everyone onboard!

Lead Consultants Sarah and Amanda have a combined 25 years working to advance equity and inclusion across government, arts, education and workforce development in the Pittsburgh region. Sarah holds a PhD in Administrative and Policy Studies from the University of Pittsburgh School of Education, and Amanda holds an MBA from Robert Morris University. Both have completed diversity, equity, and inclusion training through organizations like the Aspen Institute, Courageous Conversation Academy, Mid-Atlantic ADA Center, YogaRoots on Location, and the American Association of University Women. Our work has focused on strategic and innovative development that promotes equitable, inclusive, and sustainable access to opportunity and mobility. As consultants, we have worked with both small to medium-sized organizations as well as large nonprofit systems, coalitions, and philanthropic foundations, including American Association of Birth Centers, Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges, and The Pittsburgh Foundation. This background well-positions us to provide customized DEI training and strategic support with strong appreciation for diverse audiences, services, and local/national contexts.

Our appreciative inquiry, strengths-based, positive approach to diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI) and accessibility/justice work is, in part, about promoting the trust, unity, and accountability needed to begin to heal from racism and other identity-based challenges. We support healing and strategic growth through trainings, resources, and facilitated conversations. We are intentional in centering intersectional identities (race, gender, sexuality, ability, etc.) in our work and the data we collect to inform change efforts. Moreover, we balance the business principles that serve (such as strategy, sustainability, and continual improvement) with trauma-informed, embodied practice that values both how workers think about power and oppression and their lived (physical and emotional) experiences.Overall, EnterChange Group is committed to a person-centered approach to change and organizational growth.