We are a small but mighty firm of systems thinkers and problem solvers.

How did we get here?

The seeds of To the Root were planted during a time of profound societal transformation.

We met at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement, when tasked to lead a team to institutionalize anti-racist principles across a 5,000 person global company’s systems, policies, and strategies.

The resulting crash course in change management, organization development, and authentic partnership changed our lives. We experienced firsthand the beauty and power of a community united under a common goal – and the complexity in navigating toward meaningful and impactful change.

We were hooked. To the Root Consulting was born.

Meet the Team

To the Root is co-founded and led by Rachel Clad and Leah Shea, who bring a combined 15 years of experience working at the intersection of change management, systems thinking, inclusive facilitation, and strategic communications. We have worked in partnership with non- and for-profits, academia, startups, and at-risk communities to identify needs, define goals, and develop strategies to drive change. Our projects have contributed to counteracting sexual exploitation, domestic violence, and racism, and have closed the gap in health disparities.

Rachel Clad

Co-founder, Managing Partner

Co-founder, Managing Partner

Leah Shea

Our Values

We employ an adaptive systems-level approach grounded in our values:

  • We support clients to uncover what’s not working within their organizational systems and build collective capacity to solve problems and more effectively achieve their missions.

  • We bring a beginner’s mindset to our work, approaching projects without judgment or pre-defined solutions. Each is an opportunity to learn and grow - leading to adaptive solutions that best serve our client’s unique needs.

  • We focus on systems rather than individuals, recognizing that everyone is doing their best within the constraints they face. We approach challenges with empathy, giving grace and non-judgment, as we strive to create better systems where both individuals and the collective can thrive.

  • When we partner with a client, we are committed to and accountable for achieving our shared vision. We design our strategies to ensure that all parties are clear on their roles and responsibilities, fostering transparency and commitment.

  • We approach all work as a partnership in good faith. We are honest, transparent, and direct with our clients. We’ll push back when needed in alignment with our values.