Impact Consulting for a Changing World
We bridge the gap between knowledge, market access and policy frameworks.
Founded with a focus on global engagement, Blue Ridge Impact Consulting initially participated as a stakeholder in United Nations deliberations from 2015 to 2018, supporting the advancement of the UN Global Goals.
During this period, the firm facilitated NGO partnerships, strategized private sector engagement, promoted inclusive and impactful community participation, and strengthened public–private partnerships in the Global South.
Building on this foundation, Blue Ridge Impact evolved into a niche strategy consulting firm, specializing in market strategy, market access, and economic advising for private companies.
Today, the firm continues to leverage its global experience to provide tailored, high-impact solutions for clients navigating complex markets and international partnerships.
.png)
Our Philosophy
Our consulting philosophy is rooted in driving positive, sustainable change by fostering collective impact and shared value. We take a systems-thinking approach, focusing on holistic solutions that encourage collaboration and leverage strategic partnerships within key networks. By prioritizing active stakeholder engagement, we empower organizations to navigate complex global markets and tackle pressing social challenges. Our goal is to facilitate dialogue and raise awareness about the growing opportunity for multidisciplinary solutions to drive innovation, market access, and lasting impact across industries and communities.
What We Offer
With extensive experience in high-level stakeholder engagement and partnership development, including working within the United Nations system since 2015, the BRIC team brings unparalleled expertise to our clients.
We offer a comprehensive range of services designed to strengthen organizational and individual capacity, foster development, and enhance well-being. Our focus is on creating and managing strategic projects and programs that drive meaningful, sustainable impact and optimize market access in complex environments.
At BRIC, we are dedicated to delivering solutions that promote scalable growth, foster strategic partnerships, and ensure long-term success, all while aligning with the broader goals of social impact and economic development.
Our Timeline
2015-2018
Participated as a UN stakeholder, advancing the Global Goals through NGO partnerships, private sector engagement, and representation at the High-Level Political Forum, UN Data Forum, and key UN commissions.
2019-2021
Worked on advancing disaggregated data, reimagining global partnerships, and fostering community engagement that was inclusive, meaningful, and impactful.
2022-2024
Focused on strengthening public–private partnerships and advancing stakeholder engagement and education in the Global South.
2025
Evolved its consulting focus to market strategy and advising.
At the Forefront of Global Challenges
01
DEVELOPMENT FINANCE
Our team in Dallas, Texas helps clients partner with local communities to support, encourage, and catalyze expansion through public and private investment in physical development and redevelopment. Our approach recognizes the Addis Ababa Action Agenda as a new global framework for financing sustainable development and helps clients align financial flows and policies with economic, social, and environmental policies.
02
SOCIAL PROTECTION
Our team in Chicago, Illinois, helps clients build impact through their work by incorporating the UN AGENDA 2030 into organizational structures to ensure local & regional partnerships to prevent, manage, and overcome community situations that adversely affect people's well-being.
03
FOOD SECURITY
Closely aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including SDG 1 No Poverty, SDG 2 Zero Hunger, and SDG 3 Good Health and Well-Being, our team in St. Louis, utilizes a multi-stakeholder approach to help define local, regional, and global challenges of food as they relate to all people, at all times, in physical, social, and economic spaces and with accessibility to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food.
04
SMART AGRICULTURE
We provide AgTech landscape mapping, identifying and analyzing global innovations, technologies, and practices to determine what will be most effective in local contexts.
Through our strategic advisory services, we help clients design solutions for improving farm productivity, sustainability, and resilience, all while ensuring scalability in emerging markets.
Our partnership development approach connects agri-businesses, tech providers, policymakers, and NGOs, creating ecosystems that drive the adoption of AgTech solutions and foster long-term, sustainable growth. We also focus on capacity building, equipping farmers, agricultural professionals, and local leaders with the tools, training, and digital literacy required to implement and scale AgTech solutions effectively.
05
BLUE RIDGE @ UNITED NATIONS
Our team in New York City plays a key role in facilitating the firm’s representation at the United Nations, supporting both organizations and individuals in participating in various High-Level Meetings, Ministerial Forums, and Commissions throughout the year. Additionally, they manage our unique UN Experiential Fellowship in collaboration with Blue Ridge Impact Foundation.
06
HEALTH EQUITY
We are dedicated to promoting health equity by utilizing frameworks such as One Health. Our experienced team in Jacksonville, Florida works together with clients in healthcare and technology sectors to achieve equitable health outcomes. With our reliable and impactful initiative, we help to create fair and just practices in health through science, programs, policies, and other interventions.
07
ED TECH & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
We specialize in helping education stakeholders bridge the gap between global innovation and local needs. From schools and private firms to workforce development organizations, we bring deep expertise in educational technology (EdTech), partnerships, and impact-driven consulting to drive meaningful, sustainable change in education systems.
We excel in EdTech landscape mapping, where we identify and analyze both global and local innovations to determine the best solutions for each unique context. Through our strategic advisory services, we assist clients in designing scalable solutions across basic education, teacher training, and workforce readiness, ensuring that our strategies meet both local and global needs.
Our partnership development services are key to fostering collaboration, connecting schools, private firms, funders, and technology providers to build sustainable ecosystems for learning and development. We also focus on capacity building, equipping educators and leaders with the skills and knowledge to effectively integrate digital tools and methodologies into their teaching practices for lasting impact.
Additionally, we provide monitoring & evaluation services, designing frameworks to measure learning outcomes and track long-term impact, ensuring that every initiative is continuously optimized for success.
Our work spans a wide range of educational sectors, including basic education, where we focus on improving literacy, numeracy, and curriculum-aligned digital content. In teacher training, we provide professional development in digital pedagogy and blended learning, helping educators adapt to new teaching methods. For workforce development, we focus on coding, STEM, vocational training, and soft skills for employability, preparing students and professionals for a rapidly changing job market.
Meet The Team
Dr. Ameena Zia
Founder & CEO, Blue Ridge Impact
Professor, Brevard College
UN Representative at ECOSOC
Meet the driving force behind Blue Ridge Impact. With her extensive knowledge and experience, Dr. Zia has made significant strides in creating change and making a real difference.
Get to know our team and learn more about how we can work together to maximize your organization’s impact.
Operations Lead
Fatima Atif
Describe the team member here. Write a brief description of their role and responsibilities, or a short bio with a background summary.
CEO
Harold Colby
Describe the team member here. Write a brief description of their role and responsibilities, or a short bio with a background summary.
Director, Legal & Operations
Tilly Evans
Describe the team member here. Write a brief description of their role and responsibilities, or a short bio with a background summary.