Pivot for Change

Meet the gamechanger

Hello. I'm Andrew.

Andrew Niklaus is passionate about helping organizations fulfill their missions. In his consulting practice he is inspired by working across sectors, helping philanthropy, government agencies, and direct service organizations craft strategic plans, design intentional programming, assess and coach talent, and promote the importance of performance management as a cornerstone to sustainable and intended impact.

Before founding Pivot Andrew was most recently the Director of Impact and Learning at Tipping Point Community, a San Francisco Bay Area foundation that funds organizations in the fight against poverty and inequality. Prior to Tipping Point Andrew worked at several nationally recognized organizations, spearheading efforts to design and implement theories of change, replicate and scale services throughout the state of California, and lead efforts to secure and maintain funding for innovative and impactful programming.

Andrew has been active in the performance management field, first as a member of Social Solutions’ National Advisory Board, and later as a part of Charity Navigator’s Advisory Panel, which was charged with helping to improve the way high-performing nonprofit organizations are evaluated and rated for excellence. Andrew is also a member of the Leap Ambassadors Community, whose members are from social, public, and private sectors, which focuses on the importance of high performance in the pursuit of lasting impact and a more just and sustainable world.

QA Section

On Solving Puzzles:

The journey to solutions should be fun and collaborative, and the answers should inform meaningful change. Puzzles are also hard, frustrating and can leave us feeling trapped. Pivot excels at listening to your concerns, identifying pressure points and finding the path forward – and there is always a path forward!

On Being “Disruptive:”

People talk about being disruptive; at Pivot we talk about being honest – asking questions and mining for the unique truth in each situation. Through experience we have become experts in helping organizations gain clarity on what needs to change in order to be the best. We will ask tough questions, but we will also help you find the answers. The Pivot Promise is more than just unearthing the path forward, it is about helping your organization act on that path and fulfill its goals.

On Leadership:

Everyone in your organization is a leader – the best, highest performing organizations embrace this idea. There are no shortcuts when building a culture of learning and accountability, and Pivot understands that systems, frameworks and tools are only as good as the people that implement them. We assess your talent, help sharpen the key elements of your culture, and galvanize your entire organization behind your vision for impact.

On the Importance of Discipline:

Puzzles, and their solutions, require discipline. The journey towards being the best demands focus, intentionality and follow-through every step of the way – from ideas to implementation to goal attainment. Pivot excels at helping organizations stay on the path, develop crisp decision-making, and remain nimble when dealing with obstacles and risk.

On Making the Pivot:

A Pivot is thoughtful, intentional and thoroughly planned. It is an approach to moving your organization through necessary change. We are the partner for organizations looking to strategically maximize their programs, talent and the resources to be the best. If you are ready so is Pivot!

Andrew is dedicated to helping organizations learn. He cares deeply about our work, and shares our belief that our clients and community require Canal Alliance to be excellent in its work. Andrew worked closely with us to help expedite the implementation of our strategic vision and Theory of Change. We are better, smarter, and more accountable because of Andrew.
arrow-right Omar Carrera, Executive Director, Canal Alliance