Getting to Know the La Piana Team: An Interview with Ali Carella, Senior Consultant

This blog post is part of our series getting to know the La Piana team. This week we spoke with Ali Carella Ph.D., Senior Consultant, who joined the firm in 2021. She is based in Chicago.

What are three words you would use to describe your role with La Piana Consulting?

• Supportive, solution-oriented, responsive

What attracts you to working with nonprofits, foundations, and/or the consultants who serve them?

• I’ve dedicated my career to supporting social movements, communities, and organizations working toward equity. Aside from being a mother, there’s nothing more important to me than continuing to show up as a problem solver in the long fight for justice and equity for all.

What skills or lessons from your past experience do you draw from the most in your role? And/or what stands out as a career highlight for you to date?

• Everything we do is grounded in our lived experience and the intersectional identities we hold. I also draw from years of work at the local, national, and international levels, particularly in applied social impact research, immigrant rights, and education. On top of that, I bring a deep commitment to community and a belief that we are stronger together.
• When I think about the highlights of my career, I don’t think of a single moment. I see the faces of women of color leading with integrity, communities shaping solutions through their lived expertise, and bold creativity rising in the face of challenge. I see myself listening closely, full of gratitude, always wanting to help.

What are your favorite types of challenges/projects/opportunities?

• I’m really good at helping people get organized and find clarity in their direction. I love untangling complex challenges and opportunities, then channeling that energy into building lasting, foundational supports that address issues in sustainable ways.
• Sometimes that means creating thoughtful impact frameworks that support strategic collaboration and meaningful measurement. Other times, it’s about developing organizational strategies that position groups for long-term success. Lately, I’ve been especially energized by creating peer learning spaces where movement leaders can strategize, collaborate, build community, and support one another.

What do you most enjoy doing when you’re not working?

• I’m a single mom to two amazing young girls who completely fill my heart. Lately, we’ve been on a mission to explore as many Chicago Public Library branches as we can, pairing each visit with a local meal to immerse ourselves in the different neighborhoods that make up this beautiful city. (Ali pictured at right with her daughters)
• Outside of work and parenting, I love to travel, wander through art museums, take long walks, do jigsaw puzzles, dive into literature with my book club, and share good meals with close friends.

What is your favorite place/sight/sound in the world?

• Easily, my most favorite sound in the whole wide world is my children’s laughter. I cannot hear them laugh without laughing myself. It is my most pure joy.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

• Hmmm, probably something about trusting your intuition, being brave enough to tune out the noise to listen to the stillness and knowing within your gut. That, or not being afraid to fail, or to not have the answer to a question. Curiosity is so much more interesting than intellect.