Data Strategy Consultant for Mission-Driven Organizations
Turn messy data into clear insights that win funding, save time and money, and fuel real impact.
For impact-driven teams drowning in scattered data and messy systems. I help you organize, simplify, and finally trust your numbers, so you can make confident decisions that move your mission forward.
From Complex Problems To Confident Solutions
Hear what clients are saying
Kyle Brauer (Pencil, CEO)
“Ariel has been hugely helpful in breaking down complex, analytical problems, especially related to data structuring and analysis. Our team easily saved tens of hours from process improvements and by uncovering issues as early as possible due to their effort. Overall, I have been consistently impressed with Ariel’s creativity and courage in trying new approaches to solve problems of all kinds, and I cannot recommend them enough.”
Kevin Takashi Cohen (Pencil, Product Manager)
“Ariel was an invaluable asset to our team in the early days of Pencil Energy doing a bit of everything from policy tracking to data analysis. Beyond their technical skills, Ariel impressed us with their proactive nature, teamwork, and positivity. They consistently took ownership of projects and collaborated effectively with the product and engineering teams. It has been an absolute pleasure working with them, and I highly recommend Ariel for any role that requires a combination of analytical capacity, attention to detail, and of course, a passion for the earth’s climate.”
Data Strategy Consulting For Purpose-Led Teams Hitting Growth Walls
You’re leading a mission-driven business. But inside your operations, it feels like:
- Your data is scattered across spreadsheets, tools, and team members, and no one fully trusts it.
- Reporting for funders, certification, or compliance takes hours you don’t have.
Growth is within reach… but unclear metrics and messy systems keep you from moving confidently.
Right now, it feels like your systems are running you, instead of the other way around.
Make Sense Of Your Data, Make Decisions That Drive Real Growth
When your data is clear and connected, everything changes:
- You know exactly what’s working and what’s not.
- Your team runs smoothly instead of chasing spreadsheets and putting out fires.
- Funders and partners take you seriously because your impact is clear and undeniable.
- Growth feels in control, not chaotic. You’re scaling with confidence, not burnout.
I turn scattered data into a stable foundation for decisions that move your mission forward and make your impact impossible to ignore.
From Scattered Data To Smart Decisions.
Here’s How I Help
Your mission is too important to be slowed down by scattered systems and confusing spreadsheets.
Here’s how I help you trust your data, work smarter, and make confident decisions that grow your impact.
Data Quality Assessment
Make sure your data is solid before you rely on it.
I review your existing data and uncover the issues holding you back. You’ll get a clear, actionable report so you can fix your data quality before leaning on it for important decisions. From there, you can clean your data in‑house or hire me to do the work for you.
Perfect for teams with existing data that are ready to get serious about leveraging it.
Data Strategy Design
A clear plan to guide every decision
If you have no data or your information is scattered across spreadsheets and databases, I’ll create a tailored strategy that shows you what to track, how to organize it, and how to use it to grow with confidence. You’ll leave with a simple, actionable blueprint that saves time, makes reporting easy, and supports your biggest decisions.
Perfect for teams that have outgrown manual processes and need integrated data systems that scale.
Data Cleaning
Clean, reliable data you can finally trust.
Transform messy spreadsheets and databases into reliable data you can act on. I’ll clean and organize your existing data so you can report accurately and focus on growing your impact instead of fixing errors.
Perfect for teams drowning in messy data, who want to make decisions with the clarity and confidence that comes from data you can trust.
Data Visualization & Storytelling
Turn numbers into stories people get.
Data Visualization And Storytelling
I turn complex data into clear insights and compelling stories your team can understand and act on. Instead of staring at confusing spreadsheets, you’ll know exactly what’s working, what’s not, and how to show your impact with clarity.
Perfect for teams sitting on valuable data but struggling to translate it into actionable insights or compelling stories.
Data Migration
Move your data safely, smoothly, and without disrupting your work.
When your old systems can’t keep up, or you’re switching to better tool, I’ll help you plan and execute a seamless data migration. Using a code-based approach, I keep your data accurate, secure, and accessible every step of the way.
Perfect for teams ready to modernize outdated systems, consolidate tools, or transition to a new platform with confidence
These services are starting points. Every organization is unique, and the work we do together is always tailored to your mission, your systems, and your goals, never a one-size-fits-all approach.
From Complex Problems To Confident Solutions
Hear what clients are saying
Kevin Takashi Cohen (Pencil, Product Manager)
“Ariel was an invaluable asset to our team in the early days of Pencil Energy doing a bit of everything from policy tracking to data analysis. Beyond their technical skills, Ariel impressed us with their proactive nature, teamwork, and positivity. They consistently took ownership of projects and collaborated effectively with the product and engineering teams. It has been an absolute pleasure working with them, and I highly recommend Ariel for any role that requires a combination of analytical capacity, attention to detail, and of course, a passion for the earth’s climate.”
Kyle Brauer (Pencil, CEO)
“Ariel has been hugely helpful in breaking down complex, analytical problems, especially related to data structuring and analysis. Our team easily saved tens of hours from process improvements and by uncovering issues as early as possible due to their effort. Overall, I have been consistently impressed with Ariel’s creativity and courage in trying new approaches to solve problems of all kinds, and I cannot recommend them enough.”
Simple Steps to Take the Stress Out of Data
We’ll tackle your data challenges in small, manageable steps so you can finally feel in control without burning out your team.
Clarify
We’ll start with a couple of easy conversations to clarify what you really need, explore potential solutions, and see if working together feels like the right fit for both of us in this collaborative process.
Uncover
I’ll ask focused questions to uncover the root of your challenges, so we avoid chasing assumptions or getting lost in surface-level fixes that don’t address the core issues you’re facing with your data.
Simplify
I design clear, effective solutions that align with your goals. Simple to implement, never overcomplicated or unnecessary, ensuring your team can easily adopt and maintain the solutions we create together.
Empower
I want you to succeed with or without me. You’ll leave with actionable paths to reach your goals, whether that’s working together, going DIY, or connecting with another trusted resource that fits your needs.
Sustain
Whenever possible, I suggest open-source and eco-friendly tools that save money, reduce environmental impact, and contribute to the digital commons while providing robust solutions for your needs.
About Ariel
I’m Ariel, a data-driven environmentalist and egalitarian who believes that better data leads to a better world. I founded Octopus Pond Consulting to empower mission-driven teams to cut through the noise of messy systems, make confident decisions, and amplify their impact, without burning out.
With a background in environmental science, systems thinking, and data analytics, I specialize in transforming complex information into clear, actionable insights. Over the last 10+ years, I’ve worked across climate tech, education, and nonprofit sectors, improving data quality, streamlining processes, and designing strategies that help organizations grow with integrity.
Whether I’m cleaning and structuring datasets, translating impact metrics into actionable insights and compelling stories, or building tailored data strategies, my goal is always the same: to give purpose-driven teams the clarity and confidence to act on what matters most.
FAQ: Your Data Questions, Answered
Q: What types of organizations do you work with? What do you mean by mission-driven organizations?
A: I work with small to medium-sized organizations committed to generating a positive impact on people and the planet. This includes conservation groups, environmental justice advocates, regenerative agriculture organizations, B-Corps, Public Benefit Corporations, sustainable businesses, climate startups, impact investors, community-focused enterprises, local economy builders, renewable energy companies, fair trade enterprises, employee-owned cooperatives, etc.
What unites these organizations is their commitment to measuring success beyond just profit. They care about their impact on communities, the environment, and well-being. They’re typically past the startup phase and are ready to invest in systems that support both their mission and sustainable operations.
If your primary obligation is maximizing shareholder returns regardless of social or environmental impact, we’re not the right fit.
Q: What does your typical engagement timeline look like?
A: Most projects range from 1-6 months, depending on scope and complexity. Simple dashboard or reporting projects might take 4-6 weeks, while comprehensive system integrations or multi-department data strategies can extend to 6+ months.
Timeline depends on three key factors: project scope, data complexity, and your team’s availability for feedback and implementation support. Organizations that can dedicate staff time for training and collaboration typically see faster results and better long-term adoption.
I build timelines collaboratively during our initial planning to ensure they align with your operational capacity and growth goals.
Q: How do you structure pricing for mission-driven organizations?
A: My approach is flexible and budget-conscious. The goal is to find the right balance so you can focus your resources on what matters most: expanding your impact.
Scope flexibility: I can adjust project scope to match your budget while ensuring you get maximum value from the investment.
Phased approach: Work can be broken into phases with clear deliverables and milestone payments, allowing you to see results before committing to the next phase.
Capacity-based planning: Projects are designed around your team’s availability. There’s no point in building systems your staff can’t implement or maintain.
The focus is always on sustainable solutions that fit your organization’s reality, not pushing expensive systems you don’t need.
Q: Do you provide training for our staff to maintain systems long-term?
A: Absolutely! Enabling your long-term success is my primary goal.
Training is built into every project where it applies. This includes hands-on workshops for your team, documentation they can actually use, and follow-up support during the transition period.
I tailor the training approach to your team’s technical comfort level and time constraints. Some organizations need intensive workshops, others prefer gradual knowledge transfer alongside implementation.
The investment in training pays off quickly. You’ll have the confidence and skills to adapt the systems as your organization grows, rather than calling a consultant every time you need a small change.
Have More Questions?
If you have any other questions or need further information, don’t hesitate to contact me, I’m here to help you