Money Coaching and Advising for Movement Donors
What would it be like to have a transformed relationship to money?
I do deeply transformative work with people who are redistributing their wealth into movements for social and economic change. By “transformative”, I mean that working with me will change your relationship to money, how you give, and it will change your life at a fundamental level. You will make progress in places you’ve been stuck for years, feel unburdened by indecision and guilt around money, see exciting options that had previously seemed impossible, be at greater peace with yourself and have more genuine, easeful relationships with others. You’ll feel more confident and grounded about money and your giving.
For over two decades, I’ve worked with hundreds of people—activists, donors, foundation staff, and fundraisers—helping them develop more grounded, purposeful relationships with money. From grassroots fundraisers to managing multi-million-dollar giving portfolios, I’ve seen how confronting money can call people into a clearer and more aligned version of themselves.
Rooted in my 25+ years in social movement, I offer coaching, training, political education and structured support around class, race, gender, and the power dynamics in philanthropy in order to transform your relationship to money and giving. I think of my approach to money coaching and advising as a braid made up of four strands–my activism rooted in frontline struggles, my previous work as a somatically-oriented psychotherapist, a grounding in mindfulness meditation and Buddhist psychology, and my experience in philanthropy.
I am a former Gestalt psychotherapist and a graduate of the 4 year Training Program at the Gestalt Institute of Toronto, where I was supervised by the late Joanne Greenham. Gestalt psychotherapy taught me how to get to the heart of a problem with clarity and make real, lasting change. Gestalt work is rooted in the body, so our sessions zing with the fullness of being alive, in the moment and in the body.
Gestalt is one of the key influences on modern somatics and I continue to train and deepen my understanding of how somatics blends with my work. I also have training in mediation, nonviolent communication and conflict resolution and have trained activists in transformative justice approaches to conflict, community accountability and trauma-informed group facilitation.
“Money work” often raises spiritual questions around our inherent worth, meaning and the uncertainty of the future. I have found my training in a range of meditation practices and Buddhist philosophies (from teachers in the US, Canada and Australia) helpful in facing existential questions with compassion and wisdom. I’m currently training in clinical Buddhist psychology with Spirit Rock Meditation Center in California.
My work as a money coach and donor advisor is unique because I come from the communities directly impacted by injustice and am part of the movements that are at the forefront of leading social change. Over the years, I’ve moved substantial resources into social justice work—sometimes in ways that push against traditional philanthropic norms. I was initially drawn to become a connector between progressive people with wealth and the frontline because I saw how often the most impactful social justice movements are underfunded simply because donors aren’t getting the right kind of support to give effectively.
But since then, I’ve seen how money work offers us the opportunity to develop an authentic relationship to an incredibly potent form of power. I grew up poor and continue to work with people navigating instability, criminalization and violence. I’m now middle-class and have engaged in philanthropic work alongside people with significant wealth as friends, colleagues and organizers. I have witnessed how money can function as a dangerous source of power and as a source of collective, liberatory and life-saving power.
From this I learned that everyone needs to get free around money as a form of power. Everyone needs support in understanding how much is “enough”. Dealing with money means facing complex issues around our purpose, identity, scarcity and security—questions that are deeply tied to values, responsibilities, and living an authentic, connected life. That’s right where I want to meet you in this work.
Whether stewarding generational wealth, navigating conflicts surrounding money, or designing giving strategies for family foundations committed to aligning their wealth with justice, I focus on authentic, brave and accountable ways of relating to money, self, and others. This work is about so much more than finances. And yes, it can be joyful too.
My work is structured around clear and achievable goals within a defined time frame. I typically see people twice a month for 90 minute sessions over the course of three months. After deciding on your goals together, I design a clear session arc that is focused on achieving those goals.
If you are ready to transform your relationship to money as you redistribute wealth, then reach out. We’ll have an initial conversation and see if we’re a good fit for meaningful work together.
”Chanelle brings a rare depth of presence shaped by her vast experience and nuanced understanding of money, power, and philanthropy. She shows up with remarkable capacity and range. I have rarely encountered this level of presence in a coach. Her listening is superb, but what truly sets her apart is her ability to follow the deeper threads—guiding reflection toward genuine awareness. Her inquiries pierce directly to the heart of the matter with both efficiency and care. I have never felt judged in our work together; instead, I feel deeply met. I am consistently surprised by the depth and curiosity of our sessions, paired with a practical, evidence-based approach to goal setting. Chanelle skillfully moves me away from overthinking and toward my inner knowing—my embodied wisdom. She is fearless in entering territory around power, blocks, and limits, while creating a safe, non-judgmental space for me to open to these parts of myself. There is always concrete homework, and I am an active participant in the process. Working with Chanelle has supported me in moving toward greater clarity, agency, and trust in my own relationship with money. I recommend Chanelle wholeheartedly to anyone seeking depth, integrity and real change in their relationship with money.”
—JK
“I first heard Chanelle speak at an event hosted by Resource Movement (in Canada) and I felt like she was talking directly to me. I connected with her afterwards because I thought she might the person who could help me work through the deep shame I felt with respect to my wealth, something I was not even comfortable discussing with my longtime therapist. I felt immediately seen, understood, and validated. Chanelle helped me uncover the roots of my shame and identify strategies to move from shame to empowerment, while staying firmly grounded in my values and integrity. I would highly recommend Chanelle to anyone struggling with issues related to wealth or money in general.”
-Christine A.