Social Finance Policy and Research Content

As a doctoral researcher at the University of Southern California, I explore the banking and wealth industry's history and its effect on underserved communities, while also examining the challenges financial institutions face in delivering social impact.

My combined expertise as a researcher and external communications consultant enables me to align academic insights with real-world challenges in social finance. I ground theories in daily realities through case studies and interviews, bridging the gap between academic analysis and practical solutions. I deliver research papers, policy briefs, and position statements that address the genuine challenges facing sector leaders with recommendations for change. 

"I have had the pleasure of working closely with Dahna in her doctoral studies, and I am consistently impressed by her ability to communicate complex financial concepts with both clarity and depth. Her work is insightful, thoroughly researched, and always engaging, whether she is addressing academic peers, corporate professionals, or lay audiences. Dahna is one of the few doctoral students I’ve encountered who has met my exacting writing standards with no need for revisions. She possesses an exceptional talent for distilling intricate ideas into accessible, compelling narratives, making her an invaluable asset in any context where clear, precise communication is essential. I have no doubt she will bring the same level of expertise and professionalism to any engagement she undertakes." —Dr. Corinne Hyde, Professor of Clinical Practice, University of Southern California Rossier School of Education.

I collaborate with mission-driven organizations in opportunity finance and impact investing to create strategies that advance their objectives. My expertise in communicating complex topics and delivering research-backed, expert insights allows me to shape discussions that drive social and financial equity.

I produce research content that equips leaders with data-driven strategies, supporting them in enhancing community impact through purposeful, narrative-driven approaches. My combined academic rigor and industry knowledge allow me to develop innovative perspectives that resonate with stakeholders, providing a messaging plan that supports the inclusive finance movement.

Credibility in the social finance sector goes beyond conveying your organization's mission; it requires advancing expertise that speaks to practitioners' needs and challenges. As a researcher and communications expert, I merge scholarly analysis with a communications strategy and craft content that bridges academic insight with mission-driven practice.

By combining my knowledge of finance and storytelling, I create strategic content that addresses the real-world needs of sector professionals, translating complex ideas into accessible, actionable narratives.

My research methodology blends rigorous analytical frameworks with professional insights, delivering results that combine intellectual integrity with practical value. Through qualitative research, I develop a deep understanding of your core community's challenges and opportunities, identifying key themes and communications strategies that drive positive change.

This approach offers senior leaders a human-centered lens to evaluate their impact on diverse stakeholders, providing mission-driven organizations with intelligence that fuels advocacy and strengthens community relationships. With expertise in stakeholder relations and financial inclusion advocacy, I help develop content strategies that effectively disseminate insights, creating momentum that reinforces both organizational goals and community impact.

Social finance organizations not only gain critical intelligence but also an experienced ally to guide them in effectively communicating ideas across various platforms. This ensures that your sector expertise aligns with your external communications plan, amplifying your message and advancing progress toward financial equity. It can also inform program strategies, catalyze partnerships, and shape broader sector perspectives.

I provide strategic, evidence-based content solutions designed to enhance your overall impact communications plan. We’ll start with a collaborative consulting session to define a purpose-driven strategy that fits your content needs. We’ll co-create a strategic content plan that aligns with your organizational mission and communications goals.

Then, I guide you through each stage, offering strategic insights, expert writing, and multi-format content development and distribution, so it corresponds with your strategic content vision.

Overview:

This collaborative solution is designed for organizations intending to influence policy or drive sector-specific change. By engaging in extensive primary and secondary research, we'll address broader challenges in the opportunity finance sector institutions. Through this partnership, we can develop a comprehensive report that provides strategic recommendations aligned with your advocacy or program goals, guiding your organization's impact communications.

Strategic Components:

• In-Depth Sector Analysis: Collaborative research on specific issues like financial inclusion, economic justice, clean energy finance, or community-driven development, offering detailed insights relevant to your mission.
• Strategic Recommendations Policy Paper: A 10–30-page policy paper with actionable strategies developed through our joint efforts, providing a clear path for advocacy or program implementation.
• Executive Summary and Presentation Deck: Concise summaries and presentation materials designed for stakeholder engagement, ensuring your findings and recommendations resonate with your audience.

Expected Outcome: Strategic Policy Influence

This comprehensive policy paper enhances your advocacy, fosters stakeholder engagement, and positions your organization as a leading voice in critical sector issues.

• Cornerstone Content Creation: An authoritative 1,500-2,500-word piece founded on storytelling and designed to establish your influence in advancing financial equity. This is developed collaboratively to reflect your unique insights and expertise. 
• Supporting Articles: A series of 3-5 shorter-form blog posts that amplify key takeaways from the cornerstone content, ensuring consistent messaging and extended reach. 
• Strategic Content Mapping: Development of hub-and-spoke content models to optimize your thought leadership’s visibility across digital platforms, enhancing engagement with your core audiences. 
• Visual Content Support: Ideation and creation of data visualizations, infographics, and social media content to complement your written thought leadership, making complex ideas accessible and engaging.

• Policy Briefs: Develop concise, evidence-based documents that address critical issues within the opportunity finance sector. These briefs inform policymakers and stakeholders, highlighting helpful insights to drive decision-making.
• Fact Sheets: Create visual and data-rich summaries that distill key findings into a format that is easily digestible for media, investors, and community leaders, enhancing stakeholder understanding and engagement.
• Working Papers: Develop exploratory papers that present ongoing research, theoretical analysis, and initial findings on topics such as financial inclusion, economic mobility, clean energy, and community investment, providing thought leadership on emerging trends.
• Technical Assistance Documents: Design customized guides or toolkits that help organizations implement research findings and strategic recommendations effectively, turning insights into action.

Your investment will depend on the scope, timeline, and elements of the engagement. Each engagement is customized to ensure your research content aligns with your organizational goals and drives meaningful progress. Learn more about How We'll Collaborate before we connect to discuss your requirements.

My goal is a collaboration that uses our collective strengths to further your mission. If you're looking to empower stakeholders with practical intelligence, let's discuss how customized research can enhance your initiatives.

Schedule a complimentary 30-minute consultation to explore a potential thought partnership.

(c) 2022-2024. Dahna M. Chandler for UpThink Strategic Communications, a division of Thrive Media Collaborative, Inc. All rights reserved. This page content may not be reproduced or reposted in whole or in part or used for AI applications without express written permission from the author.