About — Organizational Empowerment

The Organizational Empowerment Philosophy

The work we’re called to do is hard. No doubt.

It challenges us mentally, emotionally, and physically–daily. We can’t always lighten the load, but we can brighten the journey. We can bring a sense of humor, a spark of joy, and a spirit of play to the process. OE isn’t afraid to put fun to work–and it shows: In the ways we serve, the relationships we build, and the results we achieve.

Our Approach

Fueled by insights, technology, and the necessity of invention, we continually refine our offerings, our processes, our tools and techniques, and all the ways we work alongside our clients.

“Both prior to, as well as in her capacity as the Manager of Quality & Housing Services, Ms. Shank has demonstrated natural leadership and management skills. She is organized, detail-oriented, inclusive, respectful, someone who thinks outside the box and is highly dependable. Ms. Shank can always be relied upon to assist others no matter how busy she may be; she is the quintessential team player. She doesn’t believe in holding back information, she looks to help others as much as she can.”

— NANCY E. AGUIRRE, KANSAS CITY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
“Jamie’s passion for and expertise in Quality Improvement methodology is unmatched. She has reinvigorated a multi-disciplinary Quality Advisory Board for KCHD that meets quarterly with an emphasis on training, shared decision-making, and highlighting recipients Quality Improvement projects in order to share best practices in our region. Jamie has prioritized the inclusion of People Living with HIV in local and statewide Quality decision making bodies and is an advocate for consumer voice and input.”

— CORINNE KRITIKOS, KC CARE HEALTH CENTER
“Jamie is the consummate professional. I have had multiple opportunities to be in partnership with her and her team. In my experience, it is her ability to consume loads of information, organize, package then disseminate it tailored to the audiences’ benefit, that makes the partnership feel all the more rewarding. Organizational Empowerment is guaranteed to have a positive impact on consumer outcomes. There is an attention to detail, communication and forward thinking that always accompany every conversation.”

— PETA-GAYE NEMBHARD, SYSTEMS ANALYST , CITY OF HARTFORD DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
“OE has been important and reliable partners for TRX Development Solutions in grant writing and other forms of reporting and documentation. Jamie Shank has deep experience with HIV services and Ryan White programming that are invaluable to developing successful programs in the field.”

— JOHN A. GUIDRY, PHD, PRESIDENT AND CEO, TRX DEVELOPMENT SOLUTIONS, LLC
“Working alongside Organizational Empowerment was a truly transformative experience. As a consultant offering transgender lived experience and expertise, I’ve often encountered spaces where inclusion is more performative than practiced—but this was different. From the very beginning, Organizational Empowerment demonstrated a deep commitment to equity, not just in words but through action. They created a collaborative environment where my voice was not only welcomed but essential. Their team actively sought out perspectives from the community, integrated feedback with care, and ensured that those of us with lived experience were shaping decisions, not just advising them. It was clear that their approach wasn’t about checking boxes—it was about building sustainable, community-rooted change. What stood out most was their integrity, humility, and ability to hold space for complexity. Working with them didn’t just feel like a project—it felt like movement-building. I’m proud to have partnered with Organizational Empowerment, and I would recommend them wholeheartedly to any organization committed to doing the real work of justice and inclusion.”
“Jamie Shank and the OE team have been instrumental in strengthening the Dallas County Clinical Quality Management (CQM) framework. One of Jamie’s greatest strengths is her ability to leverage tools such as Glasscubes, SharePoint, and Miro to create timelines, educational materials, and other resources that ensure every stakeholder—regardless of their expertise—has the opportunity to thrive in the complex world of CQM. Beyond technical skills, the OE team brings an unwavering optimism and determination to every project. Initiating a program from scratch can often feel overwhelming, but Jamie exemplifies the ethos of fail forward and the importance of tackling challenges one step at a time. She has shown us that perfect should never be the enemy of good, encouraging piloted activities that, while requiring varying levels of support and refinement, have ultimately propelled a once-fragmented system into national recognition at conferences and into a position to support other jurisdictions. Through thoughtful guidance, strategic capacity-building, and a refreshing ability to think beyond conventional approaches, Jamie and the OE team have transformed our work. Even as we grow into self-sufficiency, her innovative spirit, objective insight, and dynamic problem-solving remain qualities that would benefit any jurisdiction or organization across the country. We are profoundly grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with her and for the lasting impact she has had on our success.”