Pro Bono Consultant Profile
Ron Elsdon
Account Director in San Francisco Bay Area
Background
Ron is an experienced organizational consultant, individual coach and career counselor who has created successful engagements with a range of organizations spanning private, public and nonprofit sectors. Ron has a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering and an MA in Career Development.
Pro Bono Clients & Projects
Three completed projects including: Goodwill Industries, Performance Management.
What was your Taproot Foundation project?
Goodwill Industries of San Francisco provides education and career services to disadvantaged individuals and We Care Services for Children of Concord provides support services for children with special needs. Both organizations sought assistance in designing and implementing effective performance management practices in their organizations. The Curry Senior Center, which provides support services for seniors in San Francisco, needed assistance assessing their approach to Human Resources.
What was your team experience?
Each of the team members on these projects brought a wonderful mix of skills that included content knowledge of the engagement area, interpersonal abilities to work well together and with the client organization, and a strong commitment to the purpose of the project.
What was your Taproot Foundation project experience?
Each project with the Taproot Foundation has offered me the opportunity to apply my skills in a way that makes a tremendous impact on nonprofit organizations. The project structure encourages effective teamwork, both internally and with client organizations, while allowing for creativity to capitalize on the talents of individual team members.
What were the biggest challenges?
The greatest challenge in the projects was incorporating project needs and activities into the busy schedules of team members and clients but because everyone was so committed, we found ways to make it work.
How can the business community and nonprofit sector strengthen one another?
There is potential for much shared learning in these projects, with for-profit expertise in structuring and organizing for specific outcomes complemented by the mission and service aspects that are central to the nonprofit organizations.
What impact did your work have on the nonprofit?
People in each of the nonprofit organizations expressed their appreciation for how this work contributed to their organization’s effectiveness, which in turn flows through to enhancing their ability to support their clients.
How have you grown from your pro bono work?
This provided a personal opportunity to be of service where needed, to further appreciate the value and contribution of others, to come slightly closer to meeting the needs of many in our society who are less fortunate, and for one team member it opened an employment opportunity.
What do you do when you’re not doing pro bono?
I enjoy spending time with my wife and family, being with our grandchildren as they grow, reading, enjoying music, being part of a special team in our organization, and walking in the beautiful hills and along the magnificent California coastline.
