Beyond the Buzzwords: What Does "Insight" Really Mean for Your Mission?

Ever find yourself in your organization, surrounded by data, reports, and strategic plans, and yet… something still feels just out of reach? You’re dedicated to your mission, but you might wonder: are our programs truly connecting with people on the ground? Is our message really resonating? Are we missing something important about how people experience what we offer?

That’s where Sky Island Consulting comes in. We believe that true insight doesn't just live in spreadsheets or surveys. It lives in human stories, in the quiet moments of interaction, and in the everyday experiences of the people you serve.

My name is Ryan Badertscher, and I founded Sky Island Consulting (sometimes called Sky Island Project) in Pittsburgh back in 2025. The name "Sky Island" comes from the unique mountain ranges in Arizona that create their own distinct ecosystems. For us, it's a metaphor for the often-overlooked, vital perspectives that can transform an organization. Our core philosophy is straightforward: human stories aren't just anecdotes; they are powerful data points. And narrative isn't an afterthought; it's how we humans make sense of the world.

We exist to help mission-driven organizations see more clearly by listening more deeply. We bridge the gap between abstract data and the rich tapestry of lived experience, helping you understand how your systems, spaces, and services are actually encountered. Our work is about connecting those big-picture strategic goals with the nuanced, on-the-ground human reality.

Our Journey to Understanding: The Field Insight Framework

So, how do we uncover these insights? We use a five-stage approach called the Field Insight Framework. It’s a bit like peeling back layers to reveal the core of an experience:

1. Discovery & Alignment: We start by having genuine conversations with your team. What are your burning questions? What’s the context of your work? This isn’t just a formality; it’s about ensuring we’re asking the right questions together.

2. Method Design: Then, we custom-build our approach. Whether it’s in-depth interviews, observing people in their natural environments, mapping out their journeys, or even co-creating solutions, we pick the tools that best fit your unique situation.

3. Field Collection & Analysis: This is where we immerse ourselves. We gather real, first-person experiences by engaging directly with the people who interact with your service or space – or even those who might avoid it. We're looking for patterns, subtle cues, and those "blind spots" that often go unnoticed.

4. Synthesis & Insight Framing: All that rich data is then transformed. We craft clear insights, pull out powerful quotes that tell a story, and create narrative frameworks that are easy for your team to understand and act upon.

5. Strategic Advisory & Co-Creation: Our work doesn't stop with a report. We roll up our sleeves with you to turn these insights into concrete action. This could mean refining your messaging, tweaking a program's design, or even completely rethinking an organizational process.

Our approach is designed to be human-first, always starting with people, not assumptions. It's narrative-aware, recognizing the existing stories that shape perception. We pride ourselves on being flexible, adapting to your team's size and timeline. And crucially, it's deep but fast, delivering profound insights even in shorter engagements.

Who Do We Work With?

We partner with a diverse range of mission-driven organizations, united by a desire to better understand their audience and impact. This includes cultural institutions like the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh and the Tucson Museum of Art, where we help understand visitor experiences. We work with foundations, such as The Pittsburgh Foundation, to uncover cultural insights and trends. In healthcare, we've engaged with organizations like Allegheny Health Network and UPMC Center for Community Health, often focusing on improving user navigation or patient outreach. And we assist civic organizations, from the Pima County Diversity Equity and Inclusion Office to CityGrows, in crafting compelling civic strategies and policies. Whether it's civic groups piloting new programs, nonprofits trying to pinpoint service delivery friction, or arts organizations refining their cultural narratives, the goal is always the same: to move beyond guesswork.

For those moments when you need answers quickly, we also offer The Experience Insight Sprint. It’s a rapid, 10-business-day research engagement that delivers actionable, first-person data to help you quickly tune your systems, messages, or designs. You walk away with a clear behavioral journey map, key insights into what’s working (and what's not), and concrete recommendations.

Ultimately, our work is about helping you connect more deeply with the people your mission serves. Because when you truly understand their experience, you can build something that truly makes a difference.

Copyright © 2025 Ryan Badertscher. All rights reserved.