Realize Consulting Group emerged from an opportune convergence of a personal passion for helping people and organizations realize their potential, extensive experience in the public benefit sector, a broad professional network with subject matter expertise, and knowledge and skills in a wide array of fields and practice. Our mission is to promote the adoption of strategies and practices which enhance the effectiveness of organizations and individuals, and increase the number of organizations and individuals capable of improving their communities.

Client Testimonials

Rick delivers! He named his consultancy ‘Realize’ because that’s exactly what he helps you do: realize your goals. Rick had us up and running as a newly incorporated non-profit (after 40 years as a subsidiary) in under 2 months. That’s a task that usually takes a year. He turns your passion into your system to achieve it. At all times he adopts your enthusiasm for your work in the way he goes about his work for you.
Bart A. Charlow, President, SVCCJ

"Rick gets it all -- policy, practice, markets, philanthropy, research -- and can put it together and make it work on the ground. He is committed, strategic, engaging, diplomatic, witty and wise. He can make even the most complex and difficult projects fun."
Bob Friedman, Founder & Chair, CFED

"Rick has been a pleasure to work with; he has intergrated himself seamlessly with our team. I can't wait for our next opportunity to collaborate."
David La Piana, Founder & President, La Piana Associates, Inc.

"I have an enormous amount of respect for your compassion, rigor and thoughtfulness. Your support of EARN has been invaluable. We'd literally not be where we are now if not for you."
Ben Mangan, President & CEO, EARN

"Rick is a masterful facilitator and truth-finder. We asked Rick to conduct an environmental scan for one of our grantees and to advise us on future investments. Rick's report shed light on what was on many key stakeholders' minds and helped the group come to see the important decisions that they alone could make. It really helped us be a more strategic grantmaker."
Shiree Teng, Organizational Effectiveness Program Officer,The David and Lucile Packard Foundation

“I consider Rick to be a thoughtful, smart, and dedicated colleague, who understands how different pieces of the puzzle, like philanthropy, the business sector, and other fields, fit together and work best together. I've seen him skillfully facilitate large-group discussions and I've benefited from working with him closely on smaller projects. His experience and skill place him high on my list of best consultants with whom I have ever worked.”
Elaine Cassidy, Program Officer, Research & Evaluation, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

“Rick Williams and Realize Consulting are exceptional. At the Center for Social Development we have first-hand experience with Rick's extraordinary skills in issue identification, creating an effective communication process, keeping everyone's eyes on the ball, solving problems, and getting to the next level. Rick brings wisdom, calmness, and a steady hand to the most complex challenges.”
Michael Sherraden, Director, Center for Social Development, Washington University in St. Louis

“When you work with Rick Williams it is like exhaling. You know he understands and you can count on him to take care of things – you can let go. Even talking to him provides a sense of relief because of his great counsel. His depth of understanding of the social service sector as well as his level-headed business sense makes him especially valuable. He has such broad experience and is so sharp and smart that I would recommend him completely.”
Julie Abrams, Executive Director, Women's Initiative for Self Employment

"Rick is passionate and a very quick study. In short order, he develops a nuanced understanding of how fields and systems operate and how change can be achieved--knowledge essential for developing grantmaking strategies."
Benita Melton, Program Officer, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation

"You have been a stalwart community leader ....."
Mark Walker, President/CEO, United Way Silicon Valley

"I appreciate the work you’ve done to reduce poverty and provide a voice and opportunity for those who aren’t in the position to speak for themselves."
Retha Robinson, Director, Koshland Program, The San Francisco Foundation

"It has been wonderful to have someone else in the mix who understands what it is like to run community-based organizations."
Anne Stanton, Director, Youth Program, James Irvine Foundation

"Any organization involved in the health and welfare of our young people would be very, very fortunate to have the talents of such a thoughtful and strong advocate for children. Thanks for all your support of California Youth Connection."
Janet Knipe, Executive Director, California Youth Connection