collaboration is at the heart of what we do…
We believe in the power of working together, leveraging diverse perspectives, and pooling resources to achieve shared goals and drive meaningful change.
About Us
The IDEA Collaborative is founded on the principle that while system change may be challenging, it is indeed attainable. We recognize that it requires dedication from diverse partners and systems to establish shared objectives and synchronize efforts toward their attainment.
Our Collaborative
With nearly 5 decades of collective experience specializing in preventing and ending homelessness, Michelle Valdez, Jen Best, and Kira Zylstra formed The IDEA Collaborative because we understand the impact of intentional collaboration and shared experience. We are an experienced team of collaborators working alongside community partners to drive system change by combining extensive technical expertise and experience in adaptive change.
Our team comprises individuals from diverse backgrounds and with varied national experiences, enabling us to offer our clients a personalized experience. While we share a common vision and commitment to our work as long-time colleagues, our collective expertise and unique strengths allow us to bring a comprehensive range of perspectives and approaches to every project.
Our Values
The IDEA Collaborative believes in driving change through collaboration, innovation, action, and a willingness to let go of what doesn’t work.
Our team values equity and dignity for all people, and we strongly believe that housing is a fundamental human right. We aim to bring about transformative change through collaboration and partnership, especially with those most affected and, therefore, closest to the solution.
Recognizing the inherent limitations of our experiences, we are dedicated to collaborating with subject matter experts whose life and professional backgrounds diverge from ours. We firmly believe that this diversity enriches the quality of our work. Moreover, we maintain transparency with clients, openly acknowledging when we believe essential perspectives are absent from the conversation. This commitment ensures a comprehensive and inclusive approach to problem-solving and project execution.
Our Consulting Team
Our partners believe that collaboration is the best way to work. It’s the only way to work, really.
FOUNDING PARTNER
Michelle Valdez
Michelle is a seasoned strategic problem solver, systems change leader, and adept relationship builder with over 25 years of diverse experience. She has provided consulting support, thought partnership, coaching, and technical assistance to communities and government organizations nationwide. Michelle specializes in managing complex projects within areas such as homelessness and system-change initiatives. Based in Seattle, WA, Michelle brings her wealth of expertise to drive impactful change and foster positive outcomes.
FOUNDING PARTNER
Jen Best
Jen is a strategic thinker with 15 years of experience in the homelessness and housing world. She has worked in direct service with people experiencing homelessness, in Continuum of Care leadership, and has partnered with many communities through Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) technical assistance. Jen is a facilitator, project manager, trainer, and strategist energized by working on large-scale change projects incorporating diverse voices and expertise. Jen is currently based in Minneapolis, MN.
FOUNDING PARTNER
Kira Zylstra
Kira is a dedicated homeless services professional with extensive experience in program design and implementation, system planning and administration, continuous improvement, equitable process improvement, and inclusive strategic planning. Kira has worked to promote equitable systems and advance efforts to prevent and end homelessness through direct service and non-profit leadership, Continuum of Care planning, and as a technical assistance provider for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
How We Can Help
Delivering results through partnerships
Our Approach
The IDEA Collaborative partners with community leaders and organizations to uplift and empower local leaders while bringing capacity, expertise, and thought partnership to deliver results and achieve sustainable progress.
We are strategic allies, problem-solvers, and collaborative thinkers.
Our team leverages our expertise as thought partners, facilitators, project managers, and trainers to increase local capacity and accelerate progress in addressing homelessness and other complex social challenges.
How we work with our clients
Our Process
01
Innovate
We help our clients think differently. Collectively identifying practices that should be left behind and testing new methods to improve outcomes.
We strive to understand the problem you are trying to solve and its root causes to help you reimagine your desired end state.
03
Elevate
We strive to understand and elevate what works well in your community while also integrating national best practices and emerging solutions to support you in achieving your objectives.
02
Design
We specialize in creating collaborative processes to design a strategy and step-by-step approach to each project that is informed by the client and current environmental factors likely to impact success.
Our expertise lies in person-centered planning and design, wherein we collaborate closely with you to devise a customized project plan geared towards realizing your objectives.
04
Action
We are proactive implementers, dedicated to turning your “plan” into tangible ACTION and delivering outcomes that foster long-lasting impact.
Our Areas of Practice
01
Strategic Planning & Equitable Systems Design
We facilitate strategic planning from start to finish, ensuring that processes are action-oriented and inclusive of diverse perspectives. Our team holds equitable design principles as a core value, bringing that lens into all planning activities. Planning processes include asset mapping, landscape assessments, theories of change development, engagement with system partners, and more
02
Coaching, Consulting & Thought Partnership
We provide opportunities to build capacity through individual coaching with local leaders, executive directors, project managers, and others working towards system improvement. We promote broader collective impact through community coaching, working with boards, committees, and other community teams to implement system change and move plans to action. We also specialize in Continuum of Care thought-partnership and mentoring young leaders.
03
System Coordination
Recognizing the intricacies of large-scale systems, which encompass diverse partners, organizations, and strategies, we excel at bringing clarity to complexity. Collaborating closely with communities, we define challenges, pinpoint strategies, craft action plans, and uphold accountability. Our approach involves facilitating community meetings, convenings, and focus groups, enhancing partner engagement, and partnering with people with lived expertise.
04
Project Management
We can manage community processes, system change initiatives, and other short or long-term projects to help you achieve objectives and deliverables. Our expertise encompasses work plan development, time management, budgeting, communication, problem-solving, and a range of other essential skills necessary for successful project execution.
05
Implementation Support
We support communities in meeting their local needs while bringing in national perspectives and best practices. We can move community plans to successful implementation, support the ramp up of new programs, develop project plans, create continuous evaluation mechanisms, and document or revise policies and processes.
06
Facilitation, Partner Convening, Trainings & Workshops
We are skilled facilitators with subject matter expertise on a variety of topics. We provide small or large-scale training on topics such as Building Diverse Planning Teams, Housing Problem-Solving, Case Conferencing and By-Name Lists, Rapid Rehousing Basics and Implementation Best Practices, Continuous Quality Improvement, Continuum of Care Basics and Regulations, and more!
Contact Us
Let’s Talk About Your Needs
For general inquiries or to schedule an initial consultation: [email protected]