Meet Danielle Brower

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Danielle Brower a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Danielle, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

For me, purpose has always been rooted in people. I’ve always been curious about how people connect, how communities work, and how systems around us either support or get in the way of that care. I didn’t always know it was called social work, or systems change, or consulting, but I knew I was drawn to the moments where people chose to show up for one another.

That purpose became clearer through my work in social services seeing firsthand how powerful community response and support could be. While witnessing people navigate some of the hardest moments of their lives, I saw what empathetic community support could look like in real time and I realized that I wanted to play a role in changing the systems that shape our lives. Hopeward was the culmination of that clarity – the desire to walk alongside those doing hard and visionary work, and help them move forward with strategy, heart, and purpose.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

My background is in social work, with a focus on systems, strategies, and the ways people and communities care for one another through challenge and change. That lens has shaped everything I do. I’ve always been drawn to the intersection of people and systems – where values, relationships, and structures meet.

Most recently, I’ve had the privilege of co-founding Hopeward Consulting, where we support nonprofits, government agencies, and collaborative initiatives in building pathways to meaningful change. That looks like a lot of things in practice – strategic planning, evaluation, collective impact work – but at its core it’s about helping mission-driven people, communities, and systems move forward with clarity and care.

What feels most special is the way our work is both practical and deeply human. We get to sit in the hard stuff – complex partnerships, messy processes, big decisions – and help people connect to purpose, possibility, and each other. We’re often invited in during moments of uncertainty – to help bring focus, facilitate clarity, and move things forward with care. That’s the kind of work that fills me up.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

1. Authenticity.
People can tell when you’re not being real with them. One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is to show up fully as myself, with my values, voice, and perspective. Authenticity builds trust and opens space for others to do the same. Get clear on who you are and what you stand for, while leaving an abundance of space to learn and grow. Don’t mold yourself into who you think you’re supposed to be. We’re people first – not just the roles we fill. In my experience so far, when you lead with who you are, the right people will find you. And when they do, even the hardest work becomes more meaningful.

2. Everything is Relationships
So much of this work comes down to relationships. The ability to listen and hear what is being said, build trust, navigate power dynamics, and lead with empathy are game changers. Pay attention to how people feel in your presence – and learn how to hold space without needing to take it over. Cultivate a mindset of “I wonder…” curiosity invites connection, deepens understanding, and makes collaboration possible.

3. Strategic Thinking
Being able to see the big picture while navigating real-world constraints is essential. Frameworks, research, best practices, process, and tools are an essential foundation – but even more important is learning how to use them with flexibility and purpose. Find mentors or thought partners who think strategically and ask them to walk you through how they work.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

Absolutely. Collaboration is at the heart of how we work at Hopeward. We’re always looking to partner with people and organizations who are navigating change with intention – whether that’s a nonprofit reimagining its strategy, a cross-sector initiative working towards systems alignment, or an organization or coalition wanting to engage community in meaningful ways.

We also love connecting with other consultants, facilitators, researchers, and folks who share our values and want to work in partnership on human-centered projects. If something here resonates, we’d love to hear from you. You can reach us through hopewardconsulting.com or connect with me directly on LinkedIn.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.hopewardconsulting.com/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellejbrower/