Skye Dobson Consulting
Bridging the impact gap
Skye
Dobson Consulting
Unlocking impact across strategy, collaboration, evidence, & business development.
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Skye Dobson Consulting helps diverse mission-driven organisations turn big goals into meaningful change. I work alongside teams to clarify strategy, strengthen collaboration, embed learning, and secure aligned funding—bridging the gap between intention and impact.
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My approach—grounded in over 15 years working across the global development ecosystem, from frontline movements to global funders—is principled, pragmatic, and attuned to power. My support delivers:
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Increased strategic clarity, ownership, and distinct positioning
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More inclusive and effective multi-stakeholder collaboration​
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Enhanced learning culture and actionable, outcomes-focused evidence​
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Stronger proposals, deeper funder trust, and more aligned funding​​
About Skye
I am an Australian national, working globally, with 15+ years experience leading, advising, and consulting for social movements, NGOs, governments, and funders of inclusive and resilient development in the Majority World (so-called Global South). I am committed to meaningful impact for people and planet; highly adept at mobilising and coordinating the partners, resources, and energies required to shift policy, practice, and resource flows for impact at scale; skilled in facilitating collective strategic planning, programming, and evaluation; and recognised for my collaborative, principled, and pragmatic leadership style.
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Services
Below is an overview of my core services, which I tailor to meet the unique needs and aspirations of each organisation.​While I work across sectors, the themes I return to often include: urban informality; climate justice; social movement accompaniment; feminist and decolonial strategy; youth-led transformation; and participatory MEL.
Recent clients
What's it like to work with Skye?
"I first met Skye in Uganda some 15 years ago, right at the beginning of her career. I had flown in as the so-called expert but was quickly convinced by her to respond to the challenges not as problems but as opportunities. She brings to the table a positive energy borne from listening to and engaging with people at every level, and the ability to translate real problems into workable solutions—solutions based not on charity, but on empowerment, organisation, and partnership. Skye understands the complexity of sustainable development and the difficulty of achieving impact because she has spent real time working directly within communities on these issues. She was instrumental in the design and implementation of City Alliance programmes, including in Liberia.
In my opinion, Skye is a rare resource. Not only does she have the experience, knowledge, and approachability, but she also writes well and is wonderfully articulate—all virtues that make her a highly trusted member of any team."
Julian Baskin
Former Principal Urban Advisor
Cities Alliance
Brussels
“As a funder I have had the absolute pleasure of working with and learning from Skye for the past 15 years in a variety of roles—as a programme director, team builder, project manager of philanthropy grants, monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) specialist, strategist, fund raiser, and animator of a co-created theory of impact with young people in the slums of Nairobi (an extraordinary piece of work!). She is exceptionally capable in all that she does, politically savvy and quick to understand and navigate the complexities and often frustrating dynamics of Foundations. She brings a strong moral compass, authenticity and creativeness to everything she does, thus ensuring that the work she delivers is fresh, deeply thoughtful and grounded in reality. I am honored to call her a friend and colleague, and I look forward to many more engagements with her.”
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Nancy MacPherson
Former Director of Evaluation, Rockefeller Foundation
Former Chief Impact Officer, Mastercard Foundation
USA
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"Skye is deeply respected and trusted by the slum dweller federations in our global movement - having supported them at the international and local level for 15 years. When speaking of Skye I always say that if you surround yourself with five smart people you become the sixth. She is one of my five!"
Joseph Muturi
President
Slum Dwellers International (SDI)
Kenya
