Where policy meets practice — in the places that need it most.
When it comes to solving today's most pressing public challenges, place matters. Yet too often, the systems and policies meant to drive innovation are not designed for, or with, the communities that need it most. Second Mountain Strategies works with government agencies and foundations to close that gap: translating policy and philanthropic investment into strategies, structures, and implementation plans that build economic resilience for the people and places left behind.
Insights
“Workforce Pell can open doors and close skill gaps, but only if it’s built to work where needs are greatest. Without careful design, these federal grants could sever the very training pipelines they are meant to strengthen.”
— Katherine Ash in Work Shift, August 2025
Our Approach
From understanding what's possible to building what's needed, we help partners move from insight to action across four essential areas of work:
We help you navigate an evolving landscape by understanding what emerging policy and funding changes mean for your work
We help you align fragmented systems
by bringing diverse stakeholders toward shared goals and coordinated action
We help you build what's next by designing better policy, new initiatives, and stronger partnerships that address emerging economic and workforce needs
We help you implement bold ideas by designing the governance frameworks, strategies, and field-building tools that turn emerging needs into action
Our Partners
We partner with governments, philanthropies, nonprofits, and cross-sector coalitions building the next generation of workforce and economic mobility systems. Our clients are designing and testing new approaches to policy, investment, and implementation — and need a partner who can help them navigate the hardest strategic questions and turn bold ideas into execution.
