“Good design starts with listening. The people closest to the product often hold the clearest solutions.”
Sometimes the textbooks and theories miss what real life makes clear.
At Talent Poole, we know the best solutions usually come from the people who’ve lived the problem — folks who’ve had to navigate the very systems our programs are meant to fix.
The truth is, many agencies are doing their best with limited time, tight budgets, and old tools that don’t match today’s challenges. And when trust with the community breaks down, even the best intentions can fall flat.
That’s when outreach turns into paperwork, and policy drifts away from the people it was supposed to serve. We help close that gap — bringing common sense, clarity, and collaboration back to the process.
That’s where Talent Poole comes in.
We bridge the gap between government agencies, foundations, non-profits, and the communities they serve, ensuring that essential voices are not just heard but integrated into the heart of program and policy-making.
Our firm at a glance
Founded in 2019
American owned and operated
We believe good jobs build strong communities.
Talent Poole has invested more than $2.7 million in local contract wages—supporting fair pay and meaningful work for local workers.
We know the policies. But more importantly, we know the people.
Talent Poole’s greatest strength is the real-world experience of its team. Our consultants, facilitators, attorneys, researchers, and strategists bring both technical expertise and personal understanding to every project we take on.
Many of us have seen firsthand how systems succeed—and how they fall short. We’ve navigated public programs, cared for family through complex health challenges, and helped loved ones rebuild after incarceration. Those experiences shape how we show up: with empathy, precision, and a clear sense of what’s at stake.
This blend of professional skill and lived perspective helps us build trust where it’s been broken, design solutions that make sense on the ground, and deliver insights rooted in reality—not theory.
The result: practical recommendations and actionable change informed by people who truly understand the work.
Talent Poole Community Engagement Team 2022
The Talent Pool(e)
We are facilitators, educators, attorneys, researchers, healers, and strategists who leverage our expertise to partner with government agencies, nonprofits, and philanthropic institutions that are committed to making the world a better place.
Email us if you are interested in working with Talent Poole or any of our consulting partners.
Community Engagement Consultants
Southern California & US Based Consulting Partners
Community Engagement Consultants
Earl Simms
Executive Director,
RCS
Ashiye Durrell
MSW
Kamina Elster
Stephany Ashley
Consultant,
Talent Poole
Our work is sustained by collaboration at every level.
Beyond our project teams, Talent Poole relies on a skilled network of financial, legal, and technical professionals who ensure our operations remain strong and ethical. Their partnership makes it possible for us to stay focused on what matters most—building a more connected world.
DeynaChanel Loveless
Community Liasion
RCS & Talent Poole
Schedule a free consultation with founder Kelli Poole
Find out if Talent Poole is the right partner for your goals