Community Engagement & Collaboration for Impact

Known as visionary problem-solvers and catalysts for cultivating community change, we've seen first-hand that the most significant needs in cities and the greatest challenges in communities can best be met with a collaborative spirit. Driven by an innovative and inclusive engagement style, inspired by open and transparent processes, committed to purpose and vision, strategic and data-driven in our decision making, believers in collective resource sharing, and all in for economic and cultural cross-sector connectivity, Collaborative Development Collective uses collective impact principles to reach new heights. We are passionate public service veterans known for building consensus, empowering those around us, developing authentic relations, cultivating capacity, and driving diverse engagement. We take ownership, deliver results, and capitalize on innovation to meet our clients’ needs.

Collaborative Development Collective is uniquely positioned to be your partner, cheerleader, ringleader, and community champion. We have a vast network of colleagues who are experts in their field, if we don’t have the vision to help you reach your goals, we know someone who does. Having been in the trenches and catalyzed community, organizational, and cultural change time and time again, we know what it takes and who needs to be at the table to define success, expand your reach, and bring home the win. Our passionate focus and purpose-driven commitment to those in our care are contagious. By highlighting and capitalizing on existing assets and identifying abundant thinking opportunities we empower communities, districts, and organizations to ditch the scarcity mindsets and embrace much-needed change. Diversity, empathy, and sustainability drive our decision making. We’ve seen the decisions made on front porches, corner stores, main streets, shopping malls, city halls, courthouses, high rises and coffee shops across the country change the course of community history-all it takes is one conversation at a time.

Our purpose is to break down silos and create consensus that cultivates community change.

Revolutionists fighting for community change. Driven by purpose and inspired by place. Called to serve as mercenaries to empower a new vision of the future.

collaborate

Communities are facing unprecedented challenges.

We must collaborate for collective impact.

W.A.N.E.O We All Need Each Other

We all need each other, not only during a crisis but now and forever. CDC focuses on reshaping the way destinations, downtowns and local governments develop the communities and places they serve, amidst COVID-19 and beyond.

The time to forget what we think we know and do differently is upon us. We don't know exactly what our places will look like post-COVID-19 but what we do know is that we have to work smarter and harder than we ever have before. We have to consolidate resources, combine purposes, and challenge the status quo. The level of change we need right now in community development demands courage. We are ready to help your community stand together and rise to the occasion. We are visionary problem solvers dedicated to helping destinations, downtowns, business associations, development entities, and local governments lead the revolution to shape community development for the next generation.

Below you will find areas of expertise and sample scopes.

Crisis Communication
Community Recovery Planning Development Organizational Consolidation
Keynote & Motivational Speaking
Customer Experience Training
Collective Impact Implementation
Commercial District Collaborations
Small Biz Marketing and Merchandising Design
Placemaking & Destination Product Development

Digital Media & Creative Storytelling
Economic & Community Impact Analysis
Engagement & Facilitation Expertise
Board & Staff Training & Strategy
Community, Organization & Program Road Maps
Policy & Codification Consulting
Pop Up Experiences
Housing & Planning

Sample Keynote, Training, and Speaking Scope

Sample Leadership Collaboration Scope

Sample Commercial District Collaboration Scope

Sample Strategic Purpose & Road Map Scope

Preach

Brady Chamber of Commerce, Strategic Facilitation 2020
Keynote Speaker, Cameron Chamber of Commerce Banquet - 2020
Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers, Conference Presenter - 2020
Main Street America (NMSC) Conference Presenter - 2020, 2018, 2016, 2013, 2012
International Placemaking Week (PPS) Conference Presenter - 2019
Texas Downtown Assessment Team Downtown Expert - 2019, 2017, 2014
City of Southside Place Commercial District Consultant - 2019
City of Palestine Downtown Consultant - 2019
Elgin Chamber of Commerce Strategic Planning Facilitation - 2019
Customer Experience Training La Grange - 2019
American Planning Association TX (APA) Conference Presenter - 2019

Tourism Assessment & Marketing Plan (Sub Consultant) Midland, Texas - 2019-2020
Tourism Assessment & Marketing Plan (Sub Consultant) Garland- 2019-2020
Texas Downtown Association (TDA) Conference Presenter - 2019, 2017, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2011
Texas Association of Convention & Visitors Bureau (TACVB) Conference Presenter - 2018, 2017
Texas Historical Commission Real Places (THC) Conference Presenter - 2017
Texas Main Street Summer & Winter Training Conference Presenter - 2017, 2016, 2015, 2008
Main Street Resource Team Downtown Expert - 2017 & 2012
Galveston Area Council of Governments (HGAC) Workshop Speaker - 2016
Texas Municipal League Annual Conference (TML) Conference Presenter - 2013
Texas Travel Industry Association (TTIA) Tourism College Guest Speaker - 2019
Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU) Open Innovation Speaker - 2019

"Sarah O'Brien was the only person we'd met who had even considered the question."

- Tony Horowitz

“Spying on the South"

collective

We are proud members of these organizations who serve a greater purpose than themselves!

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We are proud to partner with colleagues who are experts at things we are not!

CHANGE AGENT & COMMUNITY WHISPERER

A cross-sector leader known for enhancing, connecting and challenging the status quo for the people, projects, and destinations she serves, Sarah’s passion for collaboration is fierce, propelling her reputation as a community catalyst, a downtown champion, and an expert generalist in all aspects of city-building. She believes she is called to inspire and empower curiosity, courage, and collaboration in the people and places whose paths she crosses.

As an award-winning passionate public servant, a community revolutionist, a dynamic speaker on the state, national and international levels, and a mentor and connector, she has been called a visionary and has had “profound” effects on her audiences. Pulitzer Prize-winner Tony Horowitz stated in his final novel, Spying on the South “Sarah O’Brien was the only person we met who had even considered the question.”

Sarah spent 15 years in local government, destination, downtown, and NGO leadership roles in Texas communities and is now affecting greater change from the outside with her consultancy firm, Collaborative Development Collective. She launched the other “CDC” to redefine the rules of community development and engagement through purpose-driven planning, motivational speaking, place-based assessments and organizational realignments for Chambers, Downtowns, Economic & Community Development organizations, municipalities, destination businesses, and the tourism and hospitality industry. By breaking down silos, teaching others to forget what we think we know, and creating consensus through collective impact she is able to inspire and cultivate community change. Service is in her DNA, a two-time past president of the Texas Downtown Association, and current co-chair of its legislative committee, she also proudly serves on the Round Top Texas Chamber Board of Directors and the Smithville Historic Design Standards Commission.