​OUR PHILOSOPHY

​As our planet approaches its limits of water availability, food production and population growth, urgent action to improve how we utilize resources and advance economically is critical. 

​OUR MISSION

To develop impactful partnership, funding and collaboration strategies for international, mission-driven, socially-minded and environmentally conscious organizations.

​OUR VALUES

We are…

• Empathetic to those in need
• Working with a world view
• Passionate to make the world a better place
• Understanding the role of business in solving our global problems
• Committed to doing good work at an efficient pace​ ​

​OUR STORY

Read about how and why our Founder, Joanne Sonenshine, started Connective Impact here.

OUR CLIENTS

Our clients are international, mission-driven organizations intent on making our planet a sustainable, safer and more productive home by leveraging partnerships. 

You are forward thinking innovators, willing to take risks, and are confident that sustainability and economic development is tightly linked and not mutually exclusive. 

You believe that fundraising is more than a monetary transaction. It is about building lasting relationships. 
​

​We facilitate partnerships and fundraising on a wide variety of sustainability and social impact issues within key focus areas:

​​Climate change
Food security
Water
Responsible sourcing  
Supply chains 
Agriculture and land use
Health and nutrition
Income diversification
Poverty alleviation

PHOTO: J. Sonenshine, Bangladesh 2019

Working with like-minded organizations and donors, finding a point of mutual benefit, and collaborating effectively, your commitments will stay on-track.

Joanne Sonenshine
​FOUNDER + CEO

​Joanne Sonenshine is a development economist with a passion for partnership development, and experiences working with government agencies, large and small corporations, and nonprofits.  Joanne focuses on collaboration approaches to solve some of our world's biggest problems. Passionate about societal change, Joanne has devoted her career to helping non-profit decision makers, corporate leaders and entrepreneurs partner for greater impact in their work.  ​Joanne is also author of Purposeful Profits: Inside Successful Businesses Making a Positive Global Impact, and ChangeSeekers: Finding Your Path to Impact. Joanne lives in Arlington, Virginia, with her husband and two boys. ​

CARRIE FERRENCE
​COO

Carrie brings more than twenty years’ experience working with small businesses and non-profits to promote resilient and thriving communities to Connective Impact. Most recently, she was Executive Director at City Fruit and co-founder and CEO at Stockbox Neighborhood Grocery, where she worked to improve access to good and fresh food inside of Seattle’s urban core. Prior to Stockbox, Carrie had more than a decade of experience in directing planning, marketing, and operations for non-profits, public organizations, and retail businesses including Second Use Building Materials, Seattle Public Schools, NISGUA (Network in Solidarity with the People of Guatemala) and more. Carrie was a Kiva Fellow in Tajikistan and an Echoing Green Fellow in social enterprise. She earned a double B.A. in International Relations and Latin America Area Studies from America University and an MBA from the Bainbridge Graduate Institute (now Presidio Graduate School).

​

KATERINA BOZHINOVA
​RESEARCH MANAGER

​Katerina Bozhinova is a researcher and sustainability expert who has been involved in the nonprofit sector supporting organizations with research, partnership development, and outreach. She has expertise in the areas of sustainable food and agriculture, entrepreneurship and innovation, and the circular economy. She has also overseen and participated in research projects examining political and land conflicts in Europe and Asia. Her passion is to support organizations proactively seeking to advance the circular economy and build a sustainable world. She holds a Master's Degree in Sustainable Resource Management with specializations in sustainable land use and environmental policy. She is based in Charlotte, North Carolina.

NICOLE GIEBEL
​COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Nicole Giebel is a skilled communicator who crafts impactful copywriting and content to effectively engage target audiences to achieve desired results. Nicole worked in the non-profit sector for 15 years gaining expertise in fund development, program & event management, and branding & communications both domestically (health and education) and internationally (nutrition) and now partners with mission-driven entrepreneurs and small businesses. Through Nicole’s international development experience, she’s had the opportunity to work with government representatives from over 50 countries to build national school meals programs, engage businesses to strengthen supply chains, and partner with NGOs to raise awareness and support, cementing her desire to support Connective Impact’s community. Nicole lives in Leesburg, VA with her husband and two girls. ​

RHEANNA SMITH 
MARKETING

Rheanna Smith is a Virtual Solutions Specialist who partners with coaches and consultants to grow their reach online and turn their vision into reality. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Management, and Technology. She also holds a Master's Degree in Nonprofit Management and Leadership. Rheanna believes that what you put out into the world is what you get back so her goal is to always be kind and positive. She has a strong desire to use her professional skills and knowledge for the greater good and to promote social change within her community, locally and globally.

ANAM AMIRALI
RESEARCH

Anam Amirali is a public policy and research strategist with a background in nonprofit management, social enterprise research, and the international landscape of healthcare, education, and social policies that impact communities of color, migrants, and refugees. Anam is passionate about solving complex social issues using empathetic leadership and has worked across both the private and nonprofit sectors managing research and data-driven projects. Anam is a graduate of Boston University with her Bachelor’s in International Relations and Medical Anthropology. She is native to Atlanta, Georgia.

​