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.
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.
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.
Move from crisis management to collective resonance and start manifesting the future your community deserves.
Founder & Principal Consultant
Rachel Branaman, MNM
Rachel (she/her) is a civil rights advocate, speaker, and nonprofit executive dedicated to dismantling systems of oppression and building collective power. As the founder of Talem Consulting, she pioneered a liberatory approach to organizational development, focusing on justice-centered fundraising and the collective wisdom of teams. Her consulting work fuels movements focused on LGBTQ+ civil rights, healthcare access, educational equity, and Muslim civil rights.
With 20+ years of experience in high-stakes crisis and change management, Rachel has successfully led both community-based and national civil rights organizations. She recently served as the Executive Director of the Modern Military Association of America. During her tenure, she transformed the organization into a civil rights powerhouse — securing a major federal grant, launching the Resilient Heroes suicide prevention program, and advising the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense on the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Records Review Initiative. Her legislative advocacy under the Biden Administration includes collaborating with the White House and Congress to pass LGBTQ+ veterans' resolutions and ensuring reproductive healthcare access for military families.
A respected writer and speaker, Rachel is the author of Rooted Together: Democratizing Power for the Collective Good. She is a recognized expert in culturally responsive fundraising and board practices. She leads an Inclusive Leadership Program that empowers women-identifying nonprofit leaders to unlock their potential through co-created, equitable spaces. She frequently appearing on podcasts, in national press, and through speaking engagements with a wide range of nonprofit, corporate, and government agencies.
Her career is defined by global and local services — 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). Her governance expertise spans past board service with the Association of Philanthropic Counsel (APC), Journey of Hope Grief Support Center, and Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Washington DC (RPCV/W), alongside a mayoral appointee to the Takoma Park Grants Review Committee.
Rachel holds a Master’s in Nonprofit Management (Summa Cum Laude) from Regis University and is an alumna of Austin College and Leadership Texas.
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. A Muslim Chaplain, she earned her Master's of Divinity from Chicago Theological Seminary and Bayan Islamic Graduate School as an Abrahamic Traditions Fellow and holds a BA in International Studies and French from Austin College.
Saadia specializes in systemic stewardship, faith-based coaching, and cross-cultural social change. She guides organizations toward collective agency leveraging her expertise in culturally responsive fundraising, event planning, program development, and strategic advocacy.
Before joining Talem in 2021, Saadia led fundraising strategy and communications as an independent consultant with Fluff and Logic. Her professional background includes pivotal public policy roles with SAFO, the Dallas Regional Chamber, and The Freedom and Justice Foundation. A serial community builder, she has founded or advised numerous high-impact initiatives, including Strong Muslimah, Young Muslimah, Gem Advisers Mentorship Program, Define 360, and Yaqeen Institute.
Saadia influence extends to national advocacy, where she held key roles in 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 200 Muslim Women Who Care, Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU), Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), Women Organizing Women Democrats, and American Muslim Professionals of Dallas. Locally, she serves on the City of Frisco Urban Forestry Board and the Frisco Independent School District Special Needs Advisory Committee.
Saadia is the recipient of the "Fatima al-Fihri Service Leadership," "Trailblazer," "Community Leader of the Year," and "Unsung Hero" awards. She brings multilingual expertise in English, Bengali, Hindi, Urdu, and French to her global and local work.
Connect with Saadia on LinkedIn.