We help good people do hard things that matter
SidePorch is a senior advisory firm for leaders of companies, universities, foundations, and nonprofits navigating inflection points.
Who we are
Board chair perspective, embedded like a chief or staff.
SidePorch is an advisory firm based in Los Angeles. Since 2015, we have worked with leaders at companies, universities, foundations, government, and nonprofits when the way they got here won’t get them where they’re going next.
We put small senior teams around specific problems. We help leaders get clear on what to take on, align the people who have to say yes, and stay through the build. The people you meet are the people doing the work.
Selected work
VENTURE-BACKED · ENERGY
A fusion energy company, spun out of a university lab
A team of scientists transformed a lab effort into a thriving company. We worked with the founders on ethos, business plan and investment strategy, then on KPIs, key leadership hires and global fundraising.
The company has since raised $4 billion.
LARGE NGO · STRATEGY
An international youth-serving network in nearly 100 markets
Initial planning started just as the pandemic hit. We led seven months of discovery across the network’s stakeholders and built a five-year strategic plan. In 2026 we led its first network-wide growth strategy program for local affiliates.
Multiple five-year plans adopted across the network.
CORPORATE · TECHNOLOGY
A global hardware company, building a new business
The company wanted to move beyond selling devices into classrooms. We led the build of a new education business group, anchored by research partnerships with two universities and a large K-12 district.
A new business group serving higher education and K-12.
VENTURE-BACKED · HEALTH
A university spinout, scaling testing during the pandemic
A diagnostics company spinning out of a major public university had weeks to scale. We built its sales channels, marketing strategy and operating systems.
Millions of tests through seven labs in several states, more than $100M in revenue, and lower costs and faster results for consumers.
LARGE NGO · HEALTH
An East African NGO, planning a youth digital network
The organization wanted to reach youth in Nairobi’s informal settlements through a digital network. We interviewed its leadership and board chair, reframed the idea around service delivery, youth advocacy and impact measurement, and built the pitch and proposal for a $2M first phase.
A funder-ready proposal for a network designed to reach one million young people across Africa.
UNIVERSITY · INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIP
A regional public university, partnering with an emerging industry
The university wanted a stronger role in its region’s economy. We mapped models for university-industry partnership and 16 emerging-industry credentials, then helped launch a new partnership.
An exclusive industry partnership for regional workforce development.
UNIVERSITY · FEDERAL FUNDING
A large research university, competing for federal energy hubs
We built the plans and business models behind the university’s Department of Energy hub applications, including the community benefit plans. The work has run from 2018 to today.
Plans behind a regional direct air capture hub awarded $11.2M.
VENTURE-BACKED · EARTH OBSERVATION
An aerial imaging company, opening new markets
The company had a new way to capture high-resolution imagery and needed buyers beyond its first market. From January to August 2026 we ran commercial development with its leadership: market strategy, introductions to buyers and partners, and support through to signed contracts.
More than $5M in newly qualified pipeline in six months.
LARGE NGO · CLIMATE
A global climate nonprofit, decarbonizing heavy industry
After a major philanthropic gift, the organization needed to move faster on hard-to-abate industries. We revised and helped execute its Los Angeles strategy, bringing together financial institutions, industry and community organizations that had not worked together before.
More than $10B in projects identified for support.
UNIVERSITY · HEALTH
A university center, launching with a health system partner
Before the center opened, we ran Ethos Planning with its leaders and their academic health system partner. Together they agreed on what the center would take on and what it would turn down.
A shared decision framework in place before launch.
VENTURE-BACKED · HUMAN PERFORMANCE
A human performance company, built from the founding team
A new company set out to bring what elite performers know about working under pressure to leaders and teams. As part of the founding team, we built its ethos and early operating model.
Where we first developed Ethos Planning; built elite performance frameworks in dozens of sectors.
UNIVERSITY · CRISIS RESPONSE
A private university, reopening during a pandemic
In 2020 we designed the university’s fall COVID-19 testing program with its working group, as part of wider response work with school districts and a county government.
A testing program in place for the fall 2020 reopening.
What we do
Direction and sensemaking
Clarity and alignment at inflection points. We help build the decision-making frameworks leaders use when no clear path exists.
Growth planning and execution
Hands-on work to build and execute growth strategies. We plan with you, then stay alongside to carry it out.
Partnerships and capital
Commercial and institutional relationships that last. We work across sectors, industries and geographies to find the right partners and funders, then make introductions that wouldn’t happen otherwise.
Select organizations we’ve supported
Commonwealth Fusion Systems · Near Space Labs · Shield T3 · Hephaestus Technologies · Logitech · Liminal Collective · Arizona State University · Georgetown University (Thrive Center) · East Carolina University · Santa Clara University · Girls Inc. · RMI · The Hidden Opponent · CFK Africa · LAEDC · CALSTART · Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) · Elemental Excelerator · Annenberg Foundation · California Community Foundation · Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles · Red Bull · University of Southern California · The Engine · Nyquist AI
Key People
-
Sean Knierim, Ph.D.
Founder and Partner
Taught at the university and secondary level, then held executive roles at the Jeff Skoll Group and the MacArthur Foundation, ran a global multi-strategy fund of funds as CEO and portfolio manager, and helped build Logitech's human performance company. Founded SidePorch in 2015.
-
Andy Yu Riemer
Partner
Works with leaders at inflection points in climate, health and education, from post-disaster recovery and energy transitions to nonprofit mergers. Before SidePorch, focused on mental health, intentional technology, and translating research into services for nonprofits and corporations. Played professional soccer.
-
Jacqui Battaglia
Operations Manager
Joined SidePorch in 2019 after a career in hospitality operations. Co-founded the BBB Kids Fund, which supports 50 children through primary to higher education.
-
Anna Costello-Dougherty
Principal
Served in the Obama administration at the Department of Energy, the White House Domestic Policy Council and the Treasury. Worked at Mercer, as chief of staff at a climate tech advisory firm, and in portfolio operations at a climate venture fund.
-
Doreen Lorenzo
Senior Advisor
Former president, frog design.
Has advised Fortune 100 companies on innovation, strategy and growth for decades. Co-founded the video insights firm Vidlet and founded the School of Design and Creative Technologies at the University of Texas at Austin.
-
Joe Takai
Senior Advisor
Former Partner, McKinsey & Company
Led a global team focused on building new businesses and growth for major organizations. Previously Partner and Managing Director of BCG Digital Ventures, with director-level roles at Lucasfilm, Industrial Light + Magic, Warner Bros. and Digital Domain.
Extended Network
-
Allan Marks
President of the Los Angeles Board of Water and Power Commissioners and Senior Fellow at Columbia’s Center on Sustainable Investment; advises companies, investors and governments internationally on energy and infrastructure.
-
Andrea Foggy-Paxton
Former member of the Los Angeles County Board of Education; led partner strategy at The Broad Center and spent six years as an education program officer at the Gates Foundation.
-
Dave Baiocchi, Ph.D.
Teaches at the RAND School of Public Policy, where he coordinated the redesign of its Ph.D. program, and has led AI adoption across several organizations and institutions.
-
John Kobara
Founder and chief facilitator of Random Acts of Progress; former COO of the California Community Foundation and UCLA vice chancellor.
-
Matt James
Former executive vice president of the Kaiser Family Foundation, where he helped launch Kaiser Health News; later worked to grow funding for health and climate change as a visiting scholar at the Packard Foundation.
-
Ted White
Founder of Estabrook Investors, former board chair of RMI, and co-chair of the Advanced Energy Group at Fennemore; serves on the board of the Advanced Energy Institute.
Working on something hard that matters?
Most of our work comes through trusted introductions.
If you’re at that kind of moment, or know a leader who is, we’d welcome the conversation.
SidePorch Coffee
An open, informal coffee. No agenda, no asks. We host them in Los Angeles and wherever our travel takes us.
Anyone is welcome.
Add your name to hear when and where the next one is.
