Strategic leadership and organizational support for mission-driven organizations.

Connecting ideas, organizations, and opportunities.

What We Do
What We Do

Advisory built for mission-driven work.

Dovetail Partners brings seasoned leadership to the organizations shaping San Diego and beyond. We work alongside nonprofits, associations, and civic initiatives — providing the strategic clarity, operational discipline, and community relationships that turn good intentions into lasting impact.

Organizational Leadership

Executive management, governance support, and operational strategy for mission-driven organizations.

Public Affairs & Advocacy

Stakeholder engagement, coalition building, and policy navigation at the local and regional level.

Events & Engagement

High-impact event planning and production that advances your mission and deepens community relationships.

Strategic Communications

Messaging, narrative development, and communications strategy that resonates with the audiences that matter most.

Organizational Leadership & Management

Steady hands at the helm.

We provide fractional, interim, or ongoing executive leadership for nonprofits and associations navigating transitions, growth, or operational complexity. From board governance and staff development to budget oversight and program management, Dovetail partners step in as trusted senior leaders — not external consultants giving advice from a distance.

Our approach is grounded in accountability, transparency, and a deep respect for the culture and community each organization serves.

Core Capabilities

  • Interim & fractional executive leadership
  • Board governance and development
  • Strategic planning and facilitation
  • Operational systems and infrastructure
  • Staff development and team alignment
  • Financial oversight and reporting
Events & Community Engagement

Every room tells a story.

From intimate leadership forums to large-scale annual galas, Dovetail designs and produces events that reflect an organization's values, deepen donor and member relationships, and generate real momentum.

We manage every detail — venue, program, speakers, logistics, and on-site execution — so your team can be present and engaged rather than behind the scenes.

Event Types

  • Annual conferences and member meetings
  • Fundraising galas and cultivation events
  • Community forums and town halls
  • Advocacy days and legislative briefings
  • Leadership retreats and board sessions
Public Affairs & Advocacy

Where relationships become results.

Effective advocacy is built on trust, timing, and the right relationships. Dovetail brings deep roots in San Diego's civic and policy landscape — connecting organizations with elected officials, community stakeholders, and partner coalitions to advance meaningful change.

Coalition Building

We identify, convene, and coordinate stakeholders across sectors to build coalitions with shared purpose and real influence.

Stakeholder Engagement

Structured outreach strategies that bring community voices into the process — authentically and strategically.

Policy Navigation

We help organizations understand the landscape, develop positions, and engage decision-makers with clarity and credibility.

Issue Campaigns

From ballot measures to legislative initiatives, we design and manage campaigns that mobilize support and move the needle.

CLIENTS We've Served

A record of trusted partnerships.

Dovetail has worked alongside some of San Diego's most respected nonprofits, associations, companies, and civic institutions — delivering leadership, strategy, and results across a broad range of mission areas.

Testimonials

What our partners say.

"Rozanna has been a tremendous help to the Association. She has assisted us with small (100 guests) and large (600+ guests) events… It's been a pleasure to work with her!"

— Lani Lutar, Fmr. President & CEO, San Diego County Taxpayers Association

"[T.J.] is like a master mechanic who knows how to get things done and finds creative ways to win."

— Hon. Diane Harkey, Fmr. Chair, CA Board of Equalization

"Rozanna and her staff are a breath of fresh air! Rozanna is detail-priented, dependable, and a pleasure to work with."

— Amanda Markos, Former Client

"[T.J.] and the people that he contracts with for their media have a tendency to not just push the envelope, but break through it."

— Chris Crotty, San Diego Democratic Consultant

About Dovetail

Rooted in San Diego. Built for impact.

Dovetail Partners Consulting Group was founded on a simple idea: that mission-driven organizations deserve the same caliber of strategic leadership that Fortune 500 companies take for granted. We bring decades of combined experience in nonprofit management, public affairs, and organizational strategy — deployed with the care and commitment of a true partner, not a vendor.

Leadership Team

The people behind the partnership.

At Dovetail, partnership is more than a business model. With decades of shared experience working side-by-side, we bring clients a collaborative approach grounded in trust, strategy, execution, and long-term relationships.

T.J. Zane

Strategy • Governance • Public Affairs

T.J. is a strategic advisor, nonprofit executive, and community leader with more than two decades of experience in organizational management, public affairs, coalition building, and stakeholder engagement. As co-founder of Dovetail Partners Consulting Group, he has helped lead and support a wide range of nonprofit organizations, associations, advocacy efforts, and community-based initiatives throughout San Diego County.

T.J. brings experience in executive management, governance, strategic planning, communications, fundraising, and public engagement. His work frequently bridges the nonprofit, civic, political, and business sectors to help organizations navigate complex challenges and build meaningful partnerships.

In addition to his consulting work, T.J. has served in numerous leadership roles in the community, including as an elected Trustee and two-time President of the Poway Unified School District Board of Education. His professional and civic work reflects a longstanding commitment to organizational leadership, community impact, and public service.

A native of Connecticut, T.J. earned degrees in Political Science and Communications from the University of Pennsylvania.

Rozanna Zane

Operations • Logistics • Execution

Rozanna is an operations and organizational management leader with more than two decades of experience supporting nonprofit, business, and community-based organizations. As co-founder of Dovetail Partners Consulting Group, she oversees administrative operations, logistics, stakeholder coordination, and organizational support across a wide range of initiatives and partnerships.

Rozanna brings a thoughtful, solutions-oriented approach to organizational operations, logistics, stakeholder coordination, and event execution.

A native Californian, Rozanna earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business – High Tech Management from California State University San Marcos.

Contact

Let's start a conversation.

Whether you're navigating a leadership transition, planning a major initiative, or exploring new opportunities, we'd welcome the chance to connect.

INFO@ASKDOVETAIL.COM

T.J.: (619) 840-8718
ROZANNA: (619) 994-8687

Dovetail Partners Consulting Group · San Diego, California