Nancy Maurer Helped Shape Strategic Direction and a Stronger Alliance

At the Alliance, we believe in aiming higher, reaching more, together. Nancy Maurer helped bring that vision to life.

Nancy is the owner of Sonder Haven, a consulting practice that works with professionals, teams, nonprofits, and small businesses on strategic planning, leadership development, and team facilitation. Nancy first connected with the Alliance through Leadership Oakland, where she met our CEO, Julie Brenner. She recalls: “When the opportunity arose to do project work with the Alliance, I immediately said, ‘Count me in!’”

Over the past five years, Nancy has worked with the Alliance on two strategic planning projects. She also supported a refresh of the mission, vision, and values as the organization grew. In addition, she led team development sessions focused on communication styles and collaboration. Together, these projects position the Alliance to better serve its communities.

For Nancy, this mission is personal. As a teenager, she watched someone she cared about slide into addiction. What seemed harmless became life-altering. That early experience continues to shape Nancy’s work here, especially in moments when everything falls into place. 

"One of my favorite moments working with the Alliance was during the planning and discussion process when something clicked. What sounded like just words being bantered about suddenly became Aiming Higher – Reaching More – Together. We all looked at each other and said, 'That’s it!'"

Nancy hopes this new strategic alignment will help more people understand the impact of the Alliance’s work. "The Alliance is out there every day helping heal individuals, families, and communities from the grip of substance misuse and preventing it from taking hold in the first place. So many lives can be changed because of their mission and unwavering dedication.”

We’re grateful to Nancy for her leadership, for turning vision into action, and for helping build a stronger Alliance.