Meet Our Team
Talem is a national, full-service diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ), female-owned consulting firm established in 2011 focused on ensuring organizations have the tools they need to build capacity, fundraise, and dismantle systems of inequity. Talem is led by Rachel Branaman alongside associates with significant subject matter expertise and practical experience across varied industries and geographies. Our team members' unique identities enable Talem to provide an intersectional and equity-based framework to ensure the communities being served are centered in the work we do. Our core values include a commitment to mission-driven impact, personalized service, customized solutions, open dialogue, pragmatic problem-solving, inspired leadership, donor engagement, professional ethics and standards, alongside advancing racial equity and inclusion.
We have extensive experience working with organizations that serve communities of color, immigrants, refugees, religious minorities, and other impacted communities. Our work across multiple organizations, causes, and cultures give us a unique perspective on how to engage with donors outside of “normal” philanthropic narratives - making us responsive and adaptable to the communities we serve.
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In 2023, Talem was named Top Interim Service Provider by ManageHR Magazine for our work leveling the playing field for BIPOC-led organizations.
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Founder & Principal Consultant
Rachel Branaman, MNM
Rachel (She / Her) is the founder and principal consultant of Talem Consulting, a national, full-service diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ), woman-owned firm which provides nonprofits the tools they need to build capacity, fundraise, and dismantle systems of inequity.
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Rachel provides interim services for organizations. Currently, she is executive director for Modern Military. Before Modern Military, she served as interim development director for Turtle Survival Alliance and National Women’s Health Network. She is a nonprofit executive and professional fundraiser with 20+ years of experience in nonprofit operations, fundraising, leadership/board development, strategic planning, program development/evaluation, and needs assessment.
Previously, she served as executive director of Alley’s House and in development roles at the Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Jewish Community Center of Dallas, Dallas Heritage Village, and Dallas Children’s Museum. She served as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer in Namibia from 2009-2011.
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Rachel is an alum of Austin College with a BA in French, Regis University with a Master’s in Nonprofit Management, and Leadership Texas’ program for women leaders. She currently serves as Vice Chair on the board of the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU). Previously, she served on the boards of the 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. Her community work includes state and national advocacy efforts around healthcare, reproductive care, national/international civil rights policies, and Peace Corps reform.​​​
Consultant
Saadia Ahmed
Saadia Ahmed (She / Her) graduated in International Studies from Austin College where she intensified her commitment to serving the community. She is a community and thought leader in Dallas/Fort Worth in addition to being the founder and adviser to numerous nonprofit and community initiatives; some of whom include Gem Advisers Mentorship Program, Define 360, Texas Muslim Women’s Foundation, DREAM DFW, Strong Muslimah, and Yaqeen Institute. Her work in the advocacy field includes roles at South Asians for Obama, senior fellow at Wendy Davis for Texas Governor, and deputy director at Bangladeshi Americans for Biden-National Council.
Saadia's areas of expertise include youth development program development, advocacy, community building, event planning, social media optimization, individual major giving, DEI training, and annual fund development. Saadia is fluent in English and Bengali. She has professional working proficiency in Hindi, Urdu, and French. She is currently a board member for Faith in Texas, Women Organizing Women Democrats, Malikah, as well as an advisory board member for American Muslim Professionals of Dallas. She was awarded the “Trailblazer” award by Texas Muslim Women’s Foundation, “ the Community Leader of the Year” award by CAIR Dallas/Fort Worth, and was the inaugural recipient of Radio Azad’s “Unsung Hero” recognition.​​​​
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