Your Strategic Partners
Building Community-Centered Systems Through Collaborative Leadership
Talem Consulting is a woman-owned, national firm founded in 2011. We specialize in organizational liberation and systemic justice, equipping mission-driven organizations to build capacity, fundraise effectively, and dismantle systems of inequity.
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Led by Rachel Branaman, our team brings deep subject matter expertise, lived experience, and intersectional frameworks to every engagement. We center the leadership of those most impacted by injustice — specifically communities of color, immigrants, refugees, religious minorities, LGBTQ+ communities, and other historically marginalized groups. Our work across movements, cultures, and causes allows us to challenge traditional philanthropic narratives and remain responsive and adaptable to the needs of the communities we serve.​​ Talem was named Top Interim Service Provider by ManageHR Magazine for our leadership in leveling the playing field for BIPOC-led organizations. ​
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Our team's collective experience includes:
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Executive leadership in grassroots and national organizations
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Expertise in HR, governance, program design, and interim executive management
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Expertise raising millions of dollars through culturally responsive fundraising strategy, grant management, and corporate sponsorship
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Former C-suite roles in healthcare, civil rights, human services, and public policy sectors
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Design and facilitation of virtual and in-person training, strategic planning, and leadership transitions
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Nationally recognized trainers, podcast guests, and contributors to books and publications
We build capacity so you can build movements. By stabilizing your operations and centering equity in your leadership, we give you the freedom to stop managing crises and start dreaming of solutions to society’s most urgent problems.
Founder & Principal Consultant
Rachel Branaman, MNM
Rachel (she/her) is a civil rights advocate, speaker, and nonprofit leader dedicated to building collective power and dismantling systems of oppression. With 20+ years of experience in crisis and change management, she advises organizations on justice-centered fundraising, advocacy, and operational strategy.
Rachel has successfully led community-based and national civil rights organizations and served in key consulting roles for movements focused on LGBTQ+ civil rights, healthcare access, educational equity, and Muslim civil rights. A respected writer and speaker, Rachel is the author of the upcoming book The Power of Community: A Practical Guide to Navigating Power Dynamics for Collective Good and a recognized expert in culturally responsive fundraising and board practices. She has been featured on podcasts, in national press, and through speaking engagements with a wide range of nonprofit, corporate, and government agencies.
A dedicated community advocate, Rachel holds a Master’s in Nonprofit Management from Regis University and is an alumna of Austin College and Leadership Texas. Her career is defined by service — from two years in the U.S. Peace Corps in Namibia to her current role as Vice Chair of the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU). She brings a wealth of governance experience from past board service with Association of Philanthropic Counsel (APC), Journey of Hope Grief Support Center, Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Washington DC (RPCV/W), and as a mayoral appointee to the Takoma Park Grants Review Committee.
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​Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn.
Consultant
Saadia Ahmed
Saadia Ahmed (She / Her) is a visionary thought leader and expert in community-led advocacy, youth development, and special needs equity. As the founder of several high-impact community initiatives, she specializes in annual fund development, event planning, youth development, and building cross-cultural movements for social change.
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Saadia is the founder and advisor of numerous nonprofit and community initiatives, including Strong Muslimah, Young Muslimah, Gem Advisers Mentorship Program, Define 360, Texas Muslim Women’s Foundation, and Yaqeen Institute.
Saadia has held influential roles in national advocacy campaigns including South Asians for Obama, Wendy Davis for Texas Governor, and Bangladeshi Americans for Biden-National Council. She currently serves on the boards of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 200 Muslim Women Who Care, Women Organizing Women Democrats, and American Muslim Professionals of Dallas. In her local community, Saadia serves on the City of Frisco Urban Forestry Board and Frisco Independent School District Special Needs Advisory Committee.
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A recipient of the "Trailblazer," "Community Leader of the Year," and "Unsung Hero" awards, she is currently an Abrahamic Traditions Fellow and chaplaincy student at Chicago Theological Seminary. She brings multilingual expertise in English, Bengali, Hindi, Urdu, and French to her global and local work.