Today we’d like to introduce you to Ti Dandy.
Hi Ti, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in North Philadelphia, where I quickly became aware of the social and economic conditions that shaped and often limited my community. From an early age, I knew I wanted to be part of the solution. Education became my pathway to change. After graduating from Roxborough High School, I went on to Albright College in Reading, PA, where I earned my B.A. in Psychology and Communications. That experience solidified my interest in the nonprofit sector and opened the door to opportunities where I worked alongside politicians, lawyers, and school administrators to tackle community-wide issues.
With a growing passion for social policy, I pursued graduate studies at Bryn Mawr’s Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research, where I earned both a Master of Social Service (MSS) and a Master of Law and Social Policy (MLSP). Along the way, I became a Licensed Social Worker and spent six years as an adjunct professor at Harcum College, teaching in the Human Services department.
Professionally, I held roles that deepened my expertise and fueled my purpose. Early on, I served as Director of Operations for an adult residential program, where I saw firsthand the challenges providers face and the gaps that often exist between policy and implementation. Later, as a Program Analyst with the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services, I was able to view the system from the other side; overseeing provider agencies like the one I had once managed. That dual perspective gave me both the clarity and the courage to begin building solutions of my own.
In July 2020, at the height of the pandemic, I moved to Dallas, Texas, where I officially launched Ti Dandy Consulting, LLC. Through my firm, I partner with human service organizations to design equity-focused solutions that uplift vulnerable communities. Over the past five years, I’ve provided strategic oversight for more than 30 organizations—leading operational turnarounds, securing grant funding, developing compliant policies, and launching innovative programs. One of the highlights has been founding the Ti Dandy Leadership Academy, which has successfully trained and graduated over 60 direct support professionals and supervisors.
Beyond consulting, I’ve remained committed to giving back through community initiatives like back-to-school drives, holiday toy giveaways, and tech-access programs. I’m also a certified ODP Investigator and Quality Management professional, and co-author of Cree Wins the Day!, a children’s book that promotes acceptance, diversity, and self-esteem.
While in Dallas, I’ve expanded my consulting talents into creative spaces, most notably collaborating with Oak Cliff native rapper Jayson Lyric. Whether it’s consulting on visuals, producing videos, or supporting his creative vision, I’ve found that my skills are transferable across industries. At the core of everything I do, whether in social services, consulting, or creative direction, is my ability to connect the dots, bring structure to ideas, and help people realize their fullest potential.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not. For starters, I didn’t have any mentors in the consulting space. Even though I was making more money than I ever had before, I didn’t have anyone to turn to for guidance. I was figuring things out as I went; making up my pricing, often undercharging, and overworking myself. In the beginning, I was far too accessible to clients at all hours of the day and night, which quickly became unsustainable.
On top of that, I launched during the pandemic, a time filled with uncertainty. I was essentially going with the flow, trying to keep up. It wasn’t until about three and a half years in that I began to truly restructure, first by setting boundaries around accessibility, then adjusting my pricing, and now focusing on creating stronger systems. While not all clients embraced the changes right away, they were necessary for me to continue producing quality work without feeling taken advantage of.
There was also the personal side of entrepreneurship. Being in a new city, thousands of miles from home, without coworkers to brainstorm with, I often felt isolated. Many people didn’t fully understand what I was building, which made it hard to explain or even validate my experiences. Over time, I was fortunate to build meaningful friendships; both in Dallas and back home in PA; that grounded me, helped me find balance, and reminded me of my bigger purpose.
I am still implementing new changes and working on building another business (announcement coming soon), but now I have a much stronger foundation to support it all.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in policy development, creative design, and training and development, with a focus on connecting the dots for people and organizations. My work spans human services, nonprofit leadership, and even creative projects, anything that allows me to help organizations operate more efficiently and strategically.
What sets me apart is my combination of expertise, creativity, and insight. I have a strong ability to read the room, see the bigger picture, and translate complex challenges into actionable, systemic solutions. I’m proud of creating programs and strategies that not only drive results but also empower people, like the Ti Dandy Leadership Academy, which has trained and graduated over 60 direct support professionals and supervisors. Ultimately, I thrive on helping others realize their potential while building structures that last
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Over the next 5 to 10 years, I see significant shifts in the consulting landscape, particularly in human services and nonprofit sectors. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) will transform operations, allowing organizations to automate routine tasks and focus more on strategic initiatives. This evolution will require consultants to be adaptable, continuously learning, and able to bridge technology with human-centered solutions.
There’s also a growing emphasis on evidence-based practices and measurable outcomes. Funders and stakeholders increasingly expect data-driven results, pushing organizations to adopt robust evaluation methods. At the same time, we’re seeing more nontraditional partnerships, between nonprofits, government agencies, and private sector entities, creating integrated, efficient service ecosystems. These collaborations require consultants to navigate complex stakeholder dynamics and foster innovative solutions.
For me personally, I want to expand consulting from a global perspective, beyond agencies, into creative spaces like music, entertainment, and culture. Consulting is a grandscape; it’s bigger than one sector or one type of organization. It’s about connecting people, ideas, and industries to create systemic impact that resonates across communities and cultures.
Embracing these changes will be essential for organizations and consultants alike to thrive in this evolving landscape.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tidandy.com
- Instagram: @ti.thebrand
- Other: https://calendly.com/info-tidandy
