About Fatima Jawaid Marty
she/her
I have worked in the nonprofit industry for over a decade, and have centered my career on racial, social, and economic justice. I am a seasoned advocate and policy wonk who has worked in federal advocacy, led state-based campaigns, and deeply experienced in implementation work with state and federal agencies. At the forefront of my consulting work is the drive to create systems change through the fostering of community power.
For me, this work is deeply personal. As a first-generation American, I have experienced firsthand the inequitable systems that are designed to exclude us. I’ve seen the impacts on myself, my family, and my communities. I believe that it is essential to our collective survival that these systems are dismantled. And, by launching FJM Consulting, I hope to use my program development and organizational strategy expertise to support organizations in their own journeys to achieve equity and justice.
Originally from northern Minnesota from a town located on the tip of Lake Superior, I find that a nearby source of water is essential for my survival. In my spare time, I enjoy all things food related and think of cooking as my meditative space. Whenever I have a moment, I love traveling and am constantly in search of new experiences, so you may find me aimlessly wandering around the Chicago Metro area.
I have a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs; and a BA in Journalism and International Studies from the University of Minnesota Duluth.
What I do
My goal is to help organizations create meaningful and lasting impacts on individuals' ability to live thriving lives. In partnership, we leverage your expertise, your vision, and your commitment to community to build the strategies, tools, and infrastructure needed to create strong programs that last— creating movements that can endure and allow communities to flourish.
Community organizations play a critical role in systems change work, and have the existing frameworks, knowledge, and ideas that can lead to deep community change. With a lens for organizational strategy, I support organizations in executing their strategic plans, developing community-centered programs, and getting new initiatives off the ground. I deeply value leveraging existing organizational wisdom and expertise to strengthen internal capacity.
My lens goes beyond building, developing, and executing program work. I'm mindful of how to ensure the work is embedded and supported throughout your organization through strategy, intentional planning, and building the needed infrastructure. My goal is to create long-term sustainability for your vision that will last beyond my presence—visions that can build power in our communities and shift dominant and exclusive systems.
Testimonials
Hear out what my clients say about me.
"Beyond her technical expertise, Fatima brought a kind energy and fun nature to her work, making the entire process enjoyable and engaging. Her positive attitude and genuine enthusiasm for our mission created a collaborative and uplifting environment that inspired our team. I wholeheartedly recommend Fatima’s work and am deeply grateful for the impact she has had on our advocacy efforts. I look forward to future collaborations and highly encourage others to work with her. She is a true asset to any organization seeking thoughtful, strategic, and values-driven guidance."
Vero Núñez
Director of Leadership and Advocacy at Adelante Mujeres
"Fatima has a remarkable talent for seeing both a zoomed-out vision of campaigns and programs, and executing the little steps along the way. She has an immovable commitment to her values and ethics, and roots her work in aligning programs and campaigns with an organization's values and goals. If you're considering working with Fatima and are looking for a sign, this is it. You won't regret it."
Nel Taylor
Founder and Steward – Now This Consulting
"Fatima has a community and racial justice centered approach that aligned well with the values, lens and goals of our coalition. I would highly recommend Fatima for nonprofits or community-centered groups that need support in executing strategic plans, developing organization focus areas and/or policy initiatives, and coalition management."
Coua Xiong
Cultural Strategy Director – APANO
"Fatima adjusts her materials and style of outreach based on individual needs, and finds ways for people to collaborate together. At the core of her deeply analytical work is always a question of who is included in a space and who is left out of a space. She always ensures that those who are most impacted are at the forefront of all decision making spaces."
Angelita Morillo
Policy Advocate – Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon
"I have known and worked with Fatima for over six years. and have experienced her expertise and support on several community-centering projects including policy development and public action campaigns. She is thoughtful and deliberate in all decision making, but especially when considering what the impacts will be on the communities and individuals who will be most impacted by the policy solution we are seeking."
Alison Killeen
Former Co-Executive Director – Partners for a Hunger- Free Oregon