Our Company
Company Introduction
Social Strategies is dedicated to educating and supporting social service agencies, non-profits, and charities. We understand the unique challenges faced by those in social services and non-profits, and we provide trauma-informed training and consultation that fosters dignity and meaningful relationships, essential for healing and transformation. Our comprehensive training programs not only focus on core social service skills but also enhance management, board capabilities, and overall capacity building. Additionally, we offer compliance training to ensure adherence to professional licensure and state and federal regulations. Our approach blends core values, concrete skills, and reflective practice, delivering an immersive and impactful learning experience.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to elevate the performance and impact of social service agencies, non-profits, and charities through targeted education and consultation. By enhancing skills, knowledge, and leadership capabilities, we ensure organizations deliver high-quality services and achieve compliance with professional and regulatory standards. We focus on addressing root causes of systemic challenges, promoting well-being, and driving transformative change within communities.
DEI Statement
Social Strategies is dedicated to empowering social service agencies, non-profits, and the communities they serve through education and support. Our trauma-informed training and consultation emphasize dignity and meaningful relationships, fostering environments where healing and transformation can thrive. By integrating core values, concrete skills, and reflective practice, we deliver an immersive and impactful learning experience that enhances organizational effectiveness and inclusivity.
Our Team
Leslie Briner, MSW
Principal
Leslie Briner has over 20 years of experience serving vulnerable populations, including families experiencing homelessness, youth with developmental disabilities, and foster care youth. Since 2005, she has specialized in working with commercially sexually exploited (CSE) youth, designing and implementing comprehensive services and training programs. Leslie has trained over 7,000 individuals and provided extensive technical assistance on sexual exploitation and trafficking across Washington State and the U.S.
As a consultant with YouthCare and the operator of Social Strategies, Leslie brings her expertise to a wide audience. She also serves as Associate Faculty at the University of Washington School of Social Work, where she earned her MSW, contributing to the education of future leaders in social work and nonprofit management.
Chris Free
Operations & Technology Director
Chris Free brings over 20 years of experience in developing and implementing employee benefits programs and onboarding and education systems for private companies, nonprofits, and government agencies. He has collaborated with State and Federal legislators and regulators on healthcare finance programs and public policy, serving as an advisor to the Washington State Insurance Commissioner since 2011.
Chris has held various roles as a member, Chair, and consultant for numerous boards and governance organizations, including for-profit businesses, local nonprofits, industry associations, and political action committees. He also lectures on board governance at the University of Washington School of Social Work. Since joining Social Strategies in 2021, Chris has focused on developing organizational infrastructure and virtual training platforms.
Allison Briner
Office Manager
Allison brings 20 years of experience in office management and client relations to Social Strategies. Originally from Northern California, Allison moved to Seattle in 2020 and has since become an integral part of our team. As the office manager, she oversees training coordination, communications, and event management, ensuring the smooth execution of all organizational activities.
A graduate of California State University East Bay with a degree in Political Science, Allison has honed her skills in project organization, database coordination, inventory management, and product importing and exporting throughout her career. Her expertise extends to meticulous invoicing and billing, event scheduling, and managing executive calendars. Allison thrives in roles that leverage her exceptional organizational skills, making her a pivotal asset in our work.
Teddy McGlynn-Wright, MSW
In The Works, LLC
Teddy currently directs the Trauma Informed Schools Train the Trainer project in New Orleans. He is also a Belonging-Based Facilitator, politicized healer and award-winning professor, formerly of the UW School of Social Work. Recognizing that all interpersonal violence happens in the context of structural violence, Teddy takes a body-based approach to healing and clearing secondary trauma in individuals and collectives, whether the trauma is racialized or gendered, interpersonal or institutional. Teddy supports those on the frontlines of anti-violence movements including domestic violence and sexual assault advocates, anti-racist organizers, and prison abolitionists.
Get in Touch
Ready to transform your approach? Contact us now for impactful training and consultation.