Ricardo O. Neal

Ricardo O. Neal

Ricardo O. Neal, former executive director of Freedom House, has launched ProspectNeal Consulting, a new socially responsible strategic management consulting firm. The company will celebrate its creation at a reception at The Red Fez, located at 1222 Washington Street in Boston, on Friday, Oct. 9, 2009.

Neal, the firm’s founding principal, is a seasoned Boston nonprofit executive with 15 years of experience in social services, public health and public policy. He is joined in the new endeavor by fellow principal Atiya M. Dangleben, who brings to the firm nearly a decade of experience with organizational development, training, fundraising, program management and consulting. Senior Associate Johnette Marie Ellis joins the firm with a background in youth organizing and advocacy, program development and management.

“Many new or under-resourced community-based organizations are working tirelessly to maintain their current set of services and are also grappling to respond to the emerging needs resulting from the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, but the current economic crisis leaves them in a tough spot,” said Neal.

The consulting firm offers two distinct service portfolios that clients can access based on their organizational needs. The Organizational Infrastructure Portfolio provides support to a wide range of organizations with varied management and staff structures seeking to improve their overall performance and outcomes. The Public Education and Community Engagement Portfolio works with school districts, higher education institutions and community-based organizations to build partnerships that achieve improved academic outcomes for all students.

Data show that many urban school districts are struggling with low graduation rates, sending underprepared students back into neighborhoods that are already struggling.

“Community-based organizations are one of many assets that school districts and higher education institutions can partner with to help communities thrive,” said Neal.

The firm’s client base includes community-based organizations working to carry out change efforts that are anchored in the communities they serve.

ProspectNeal Consulting’s philanthropic arm, the Sylvia and Owen Neal Family Fund, is named in honor of Neal’s parents, Sylvia and the late Owen Neal. The fund provides scholarships to urban students when they enter post-secondary institutions.