Principal consultant, Rachel Branaman, provided interim executive leadership and crisis management during critical organizational and legislative shifts. Key achievements include: ​

1. Historic Funding Diversification: Secured a landmark $670K federal grant, driving the annual budget to over $1M.

2. Program Innovation: Launched the Resilient Heroes suicide prevention program, Modern Military Strong Communities, a pro bono attorney network for transgender legal services, and Rainbow Shield certification with culturally relevant resources.

3. Policy and Advocacy Wins: Successfully advanced laws and policies protecting LGBTQ+ and HIV-positive military communities through targeted legislative partnerships.

4. International Discrimination Reporting: Created a LGBTQ+ and HIV discrimination reporting form empowering U.S. service members and veterans to report discrimination even without internal recourse or when seeking care.

5. Strategic Engagement: Cultivated robust relationships with lawmakers, policymakers, media outlets, military/veteran organizations, and national LGBTQ+ and suicide prevention organizations.

6. Organizational Infrastructure: Developed a DEIJ-aligned employee manual and board handbook; introduced financial controls, compliance systems, and strategic planning; and recruited new board leadership aligned with Modern Military’s evolving mission.​

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During a pivotal time for reproductive justice, Talem provided interim leadership to build fundraising strategy, scale digital innovation, and strengthen organizational infrastructure.​

1. Digital Growth: Launched an acquisition strategy yielding an 8x ROI and expanded outreach to younger advocates and deepened engagement with older women.

2. Infrastructure: Conducted a five-year donor trend analysis to streamline operations, reduce costs, and identify new growth opportunities. Those findings led to the development of a comprehensive development manual and multi-tiered fundraising plan to support incoming leadership and long-term continuity.

3. Fundraising Success: Secured $100K in new corporate support within six months through a podcast- and consumer health-driven sponsorship strategy. Led a record-breaking year-end campaign, that surpassed its goal by 60% and exceeded its stretch goal by 6%.

4. Event Success: Planned and executed NWHN’s first hybrid event, doubling past event revenue.

5. Technology Integration: Led a CRM transition that reduced overhead costs and enhanced fundraising and communications capacity.

During a leadership transition, Talem provided strategic guidance to strengthen TSA's fundraising infrastructure and foster a more inclusive organizational culture.

1. Fundraising Expansion: Diversified revenue streams by scaling corporate sponsorships for TSA’s annual conference and global projects; while designing major donor, planned giving, and annual fund strategies; and implementing a targeted foundation strategy to boost U.S.-based operational and project funding.

2. Team Building: Supported long-term organizational sustainability by assisting with the hiring and onboarding of a new Grants Manager and Director of Development.

3. Equity-Centered Training: Facilitated board and staff workshops on fostering gender inclusion in nonprofit spaces.

4. Fieldwide Advocacy: Delivered a keynote—“Moving Beyond Diversity: Building a Culture of Inclusion and Belonging”—at TSA’s Annual Symposium on the Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles, addressing discrimination, harassment, and gender-based violence in herpetology.

Talem has partnered with national organizations and their chapters, providing strategic support in fundraising, grant writing, communications, and sustainable organizational growth.

• Restorative Practice: Facilitated confidential healing circles, providing a safe, supportive environment for employees to navigate workplace and build collective resilience.

• Intersectional Belonging: Developed and led an expanded training series on Fostering a Culture of Gender Inclusivity for national and chapter board members and staff. 

• Institutional Accountability: Centered lived experience and intersectionality within organizational policies to move the needle from basic diversity to true equity and sustainability.​