San Francisco Bay Area

Background:	Ron Elsdon brings a wealth of experience to organizational consulting and individual coaching and career counseling. He has created, developed, and implemented successful engagements with a wide range of organizations, including many Fortune 500 companies, which span the private, public, educational and nonprofit sectors. His background includes leadership roles in a variety of sectors and functions, a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, and an MA in Career Development.
Taproot Role:	Account Director
Pro Bono Clients:	Curry Senior Center; We Care Services for Children; Goodwill Industries
Projects:	Performance Management; Human Resources Capacity Build

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”