Strategy, engagement, and facilitation for organizations building something better.
Little Engine is a social impact consulting firm that partners with teams reimagining what's possible - bringing clarity, structure, and momentum to move missions forward.
Hi, I’m Sarah
I have over 15 years of cross-sector experience working alongside community members, policymakers, and social entrepreneurs to turn great ideas into transformational, real-world impact.
I have spent my career in organizations navigating growth, innovation, and evolution - launching national programs, designing statewide initiatives, and leading multi-million-dollar philanthropic investments. Along the way, I have worked with nonprofits, agencies, and coalitions to tackle complex challenges with focus, creativity, and heart.
I have partnered with teams to:
Design new programs that meet community needs.
Engage stakeholders to align around shared goals.
Refine strategies to achieve game-changing results.
From my roots as a teacher and community organizer in Chicago, to my work on the founding teams of Bright Pink and OneGoal Massachusetts, to my recent leadership in systems-change efforts in Rhode Island, Indiana, and Illinois, I have helped team after team succeed by thinking big, starting small, and focusing relentlessly on what works.
I live in Rhode Island with my husband, two wild little boys, and our beloved “foster-fail” puppy, Lucky. I’m an ocean-lover, novice gardener, and a sucker for a 90’s sports underdog movie.
I hold a BA in English from Columbia University and an MA in Education Policy from Brown University.
How I Can Help
With 15+ years of successful leadership across the social sector, I help mission-driven leaders and teams design, engage, and innovate for lasting impact by focusing on what works in the real world.
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I help teams identify the right problems to solve, explore creative solutions, and build practical plans to achieve results.
Conduct structured assessments and stakeholder interviews to understand needs and surface opportunities.
Facilitate strategy and planning sessions to align teams on shared goals, clear outcomes, and innovative approaches.
Develop actionable roadmaps and pilot projects with timelines, roles, and metrics to test ideas before scaling.
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I help bring the right people into the process - staff, communities, funders, and partners - and ensure their insights shape the work.
Design and lead listening sessions, working groups, and advisory structures to elevate the expertise of communities and those closest to the work.
Facilitate collaboration and decision-making across teams, organizations, and coalitions with diverse perspectives and priorities.
Develop clear engagement plans to keep stakeholders informed, involved, and invested.
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I help teams build in learning from the start - so you can track progress, make real-time adjustments, and scale what works.
Set up simple systems to gather feedback and track results
Coach teams through implementation and iteration
Synthesize insights to inform planning, reporting, and future investment
Working Together
I offer flexible, collaborative support tailored to your goals, timeline, and team capacity. Whether you need a quick reset, a hands-on partner, or ongoing guidance, we’ll find the best approach to move your work forward.
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Designed to move a specific piece of work forward - whether it’s creating something new or improving what’s already in motion.
Assessments (2–3 months)
Short-term, focused review of a key area to provide insights and actionable recommendations for what comes next.
Consulting Projects (6+ months)
End-to-end support to assess, design, test, and strengthen a program, strategy, or initiative.
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For organizations that need sustained support to lead key work or build internal capacity.
Embedded Collaboration (6+ months, part-time)
Long-term, hands-on partnership providing dedicated leadership or support for major initiatives from within your team - without the cost or overhead of a full-time hire.
Coaching & Advising (Flexible)
Customized guidance and thought partnership for leaders and teams navigating change, growth, or strategic decisions.
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For teams that need alignment, skill-building, or support sharing their story.
Trainings & Workshops
Tailored sessions designed specifically to clarify goals, strengthen team collaboration, and build practical skills your team can apply right away. Delivered virtually or in-person.Storytelling & Impact Messaging
Hands-on support to capture your impact clearly and powerfully -translating data and experiences into compelling stories, reports, and proposals that resonate with your key audiences.
Clients and Collaborators
“Sarah is an exceptional leader who effortlessly engages, motivates, and inspires everyone around her to drive meaningful results. She has an extraordinary ability to bring out the best in people, seamlessly shifting between visionary leadership and trusted collaboration. Sarah thrives in transforming complexity into clear, strategic action, crafting game plans that serve as a true north star for any team.”
— Lindsay Avner, Founder & CEO, Bright Pink
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
Amplifying the leadership and expertise of those most impacted by systemic inequities while recognizing and leveraging my own privilege to challenge harmful systems, name power dynamics, and co-create solutions that address root causes.
Values Guiding My Work
Collaboration
Building trust and fostering shared ownership through meaningful partnerships that draw on the strengths of everyone involved.
Laughter
Embracing the messy, challenging nature of the work while finding humor, creativity, and connection along the way.
Scrappiness
Tackling challenges with resourcefulness, creativity, and resilience - finding practical, efficient ways to make meaningful progress, even with limited resources.
Learning
Cultivating a culture of reflection and continuous improvement, helping others grow while using every opportunity to refine and improve my own practices.
Get in touch.
I help mission-driven teams bring their big ideas to life. I’d love to work with yours.