Step Change Partners
Sharpening Strategic Clarity and Amplifying Influence
OVERVIEW: Transforming Leadership and Scaling Impact in Philanthropy
Through personalized coaching, strategic advising, and thought leadership development, I partnered with senior leadership at Step Change Partners and Zephyr Impact to sharpen strategic clarity, strengthen focus, and amplify influence as an innovator —laying the foundation for sustained growth and measurable change.
The Challenge
Step Change Partners and Zephyr Impact, sought to expand impact and grow their portfolios, while strengthening leadership’s own personal areas of focus.
Step Change Partners collaborates with philanthropists and social entrepreneurs to turn ambitious ideas into transformative impact, scale reach and maximize returns on each philanthropic dollar.
Zephyr Impact is a philanthropic collaborative that unites donors and social entrepreneurs to accelerate change by fostering collective learning, making collaborative investments, and building a community of practice. The founder of both of these businesses is social impact entrepreneur and philanthropy advisor, Andrew Smiles.
As Andrew’s businesses expanded, so did the complexity of his responsibilities. He faced challenges aligning his personal vision with business strategy, navigating market shifts, and creating impactful, consistent messaging. Both organizations needed to communicate their unique value propositions effectively while scaling their influence in competitive landscapes. Recognizing the need for strategic insight, Andrew sought a trusted thought partner, coach and advisor to provide guidance, challenge assumptions, and co-create innovative solutions.
The Work
Through a collaborative partnership, I worked closely with Andrew across three key areas: coaching, strategic advising, and thought leadership development.
Coaching for Leadership Clarity - I supported Andrew in refining his leadership style, helping him balance the demands of two rapidly evolving organizations. Personalized sessions focused on clarifying his vision, identifying areas for growth, and creating actionable goals aligned with both personal and professional aspirations.
Strategic Advising - Leveraging deep understanding of Andrew’s industries, I provided guidance to strengthen focus areas, determine priorities, and help align organizational strategies with emerging opportunities.
Thought Leadership Content - Collaborating with Andrew, I developed compelling thought leadership materials that positioned him as a leading voice in systemic change and impact investment. These included blogs, articles, and keynote materials designed to resonate with target audiences and amplify his influence across sectors.
The Impact
Our partnership led to powerful results for Andrew and his organizations:
Andrew increased his confidence as a visionary leader, capable of navigating the complexities of leading two dynamic organizations. The thought leadership efforts helped him tighten his perspective, enhancing his reputation as an innovator at the intersection of systemic change and impact investment.
Step Change Partners sharpened its focus, resulting in stronger partnerships and measurable outcomes for its clients.
Zephyr Impact clarified its core priorities, enabling it to build deeper trust among donors and social entrepreneurs and achieve greater alignment in its mission-driven investments.
This collaboration not only addressed immediate challenges, but also laid a foundation for sustained growth and influence. Andrew is now better equipped to scale his impact, ensuring both Step Change Partners and Zephyr Impact continue to thrive and drive meaningful change.
