Meet Tanya Paperny Consulting, LLC!
For over fifteen years, I’ve helped media outlets, nonprofits, arts organizations and community groups share victories and challenges, reach new and existing donors, compile research into compelling and concise narratives and much more.
I approach all my consulting projects through the lenses of diversity, equity and inclusion. My direct experiences in feminist, queer and anti-racist movements inform my storytelling and change-making work.
I’d be thrilled to support you on projects small or large to tell stories that matter.
Clients include: Promise54, Brooklyn Prospect Schools, Equity Institute, Opportunity@Work, The Reinvention Lab at Teach For America, Nellie Mae Education Foundation, XQ Institute, Aurora Institute, Bellwether, Rithm Project and more.
Recent projects

After speaking to 125+ youth and adults, my clients at The Reinvention Lab asked: Is the term “chronic absenteeism” still relevant? I helped present their important findings and elevate youth voices. Read and comment on New Absenteeism »

Prospect Schools, a racially and economically diverse network of K-12 campuses in Brooklyn, celebrated 15 years of excellence. I advised them closely on this interactive web-based annual report. View “Windows Into Prospect” »

DC+XQ is a partnership with DC Public Schools to transform the high school experience. I wrote monthly story-driven emails to celebrate student and community victories. Read the DC+XQ Dispatch here »
Services
Copy Writing & Editing
I’ve written op-eds, policy briefs, white papers, feature-length articles, tweets, solidarity statements and much more. I approach my work through a diversity, equity and inclusion lens, centering the voices of those impacted by policy action — or inaction. I have also edited documents by multiple authors to streamline the voice and structure.
Content Strategy
Are you trying to change public opinion, public policy or human behavior? Not sure what language, format or packaging to use to reach your desired audiences? I can help. I’ve turned research into impact through microsites, on-the-ground-reporting and focus groups — and can help you do the same.
Organizational Communications
Want to elevate the public profile of your organization or leader? Align communications and marketing tactics with your broader strategic goals? I can help by carrying out a detailed content audit — including your website, newsletter, social media and press — and offer key suggestions for how to build your brand’s presence. We’ll collaboratively define target audiences and goals.
Grant writing
For my own projects, I’ve won grants and fellowships from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, Biographers International Organization, Vermont Studio Center, Poets & Writers and Art Omi. For my clients, I excel at compellingly describing projects to secure foundation or government support. I help you step outside the day-to-day hustle and remember why your work matters so you can effectively pitch it to prospective funders.
Training & Facilitation
I am happy to design (or co-design) sessions for your team around a number of topics, including: opinion writing, defining a communications strategy, building relationships with press and more. My style is collaborative, interactive and honest. Because of my experience as an activist and community builder, I know how to leave participants feeling empowered with clear strategies to implement.
Writing Coaching
I help policy analysts, researchers, evaluators, organizational leaders and others gain confidence, find their voice and avoid writing procrastination. Whether your final piece is a blog post, letter, op-ed or book-length work, I’d love to work with you!
Production Management
Whether you’ve hired a videographer, web developer, graphic designer or animator, I have the skills to help translate technical terms into understandable action items for your team. I’ve led website launches and interfaced with talented portrait photographers. I can help you get to the finished product while your team focuses on your areas of expertise.
Outreach & Promotion
Launching a new initiative, hosting an important fundraiser or trying to promote your new book? I’ve helped authors, organizations and community initiatives draft promotional language, get events placed in local press and garner coverage from regional media.
Speaker Management
I’ve secured speaking gigs for prominent editors and community leaders, either as part of a speakers’ bureau or as independent thought leaders. My support includes creating speaker profiles, brainstorming event/workshop offerings, pitching campus and community groups and negotiating rates. I also support with speech writing for principals and thought leaders.
Testimonials
Tanya, you are such a skilled writer. It’s really quite an experience to see my ideas and learnings communicated so compellingly. Thank you, on many levels. —Michelle Culver
Tanya’s skill as a coach is incomparable. I’m a good writer, but more than once, Tanya’s actionable feedback and keen, insightful questions have helped me to make my writing great. I especially appreciate her skill in helping me focus my ideas, pare down the superfluous stuff, and push toward a final product that I feel comfortable sharing with the world. —Katrina Boone
Bless you and your ruthless commitment to grammar! I was so excited to get your edits. Everything reads so much better. Thanks for such a fine and thoughtful eye on this entire piece. —Brian McAllester
I worked with Tanya on everything from blog posts to in-depth research projects, and she always made my work clearer, more concise, and powerful. No matter where I was in the writing process — from ideation to copyediting — she could jump in with poignant questions and tactful suggestions to push my thinking and move the work forward. She’s responsive, empathetic, and principled, which makes her delightful to work with. —Jason Weeby