Y’alla Collaborative works with funders, stakeholders, and visionary leaders building progressive ecosystems to create the equitable and just world we want to live in. We help our clients name and transcend challenges, guiding them through a process of bridging the gap between “how it’s always been done” and “how it could be” by envisioning and supporting solutions that are tailored to their goals and needs.
Organizations and their leaders partner with Y’alla Collaborative for two reasons: (1) to help them grow to scale, and (2) to ensure the growth is sustainable. Our process, whether the focus is development/fundraising specific or organization wide, involves long-term visioning, goal alignment, deliberate planning, outreach, cultivation and metrics, and consistent communication with comprehensive support at every turn. Our array of services is not a one-size-fits-all, but rather, a meet-organizations-where-they-are approach that blends innovation with proven methods.
Y’alla is a cross-cultural word that means “let’s go.” At Y’alla Collaborative, we strive to embody the spirit of action with purpose in all we do. Together, let’s go further—because effecting change is a collective journey.
Yaël Ouzillou founded Y’alla Collaborative in 2020 after over 25 years working on national, state and local political campaigns, within progressive and non-profit organizations. Y’alla Collaborative was founded to reflect Yaël’s roots, motivation and wisdom gained working with so many diverse and talented people.
Yaël is a veteran of multiple Governor, U.S. Senate campaigns and two Presidential campaigns with the most recent being as Deputy National Finance Director overseeing the South Central region for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 Presidential campaign where she hired and mentored a diverse team of six to drive financial and donor related activities that ultimately raised over $40 million in the region. Prior to joining the Hillary for America campaign, Yaël was a partner in RYLO Consulting where clients included Texas Organizing Project, William Jefferson Clinton Foundation, Share Our Strength, Marc Veasey for Congress and others. During an eight-year stint in Washington, DC, Yaël worked as part of the development staff for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), the Democratic National Committee, EMILY’s List and as the National Finance Director for Senator Jean Carnahan. Yaël began her career in Texas working on the re-election campaign of the late Governor Ann Richards. Today, Yaël continues to help progressive candidates, causes, and non-profits light a lasting fire to fuel their cause. She is on the board of the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders Foundation.
Alicia Dupré joined Y’alla Collaborative in early 2024 after two decades in policy and politics and several years as a certified coach. Alicia fundamentally believes in the power of a “both/and” approach—where both individuals and institutions are committed to the change process as a means to collective transformation.
A native of Waco, Texas, Alicia has worked at the state and national level in various capacities, often at times of significant inflection points: as a Special Assistant to then Democratic Whip Nancy Pelosi in her first leadership office; as a Field Director for Congressman Lloyd Doggett throughout the first rounds of Texas GOP-led redistricting; as part of the political team at Planned Parenthood’s national office under the leadership of Cecile Richards and her ambitious vision for building power; as a lobbyist for PPFA during the protracted Affordable Care Act (ACA) battles and the first defunding effort; and overseeing a proactive, health finance program within PPFA’s Policy team helping affiliates harness the opportunities spurred by the ACA to improve access to women’s reproductive health in the overall system. In addition to holding a Master’s in Public Policy from Georgetown University, Alicia also is certified as an Integrative Wellness Coach after training at the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine and loves helping people find their “why” and connect that to system and habit change.
Lucas Barr has been a Fellow at Yalla Collaborative since March 2025. Lucas is responsible for data management, research and providing operational support to clients. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2024 with a B.A. in Government and a B.S. in Environmental Science. At UT Austin, Lucas served as co-communications chair and then as events co-chair for TX Votes at the Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Life. He is passionate about interdisciplinary research, and spent last summer working at NASA DEVELOP examining fire risk and climate patterns in Vermont. In his free time, Lucas enjoys cooking, discovering new music, and exploring nature.
Haven Gilchrist is an Intern at Y’alla Collaborative and is a third-year at Spelman College majoring in Sociology with a minor in Public Health. She is from Washington, DC, and is passionate about civic engagement and health advocacy.
Savanna Scott has been a Research Fellow at Y’alla Collaborative since September of 2024. She is an Austin native and attended Pepperdine University graduating with Honors in Political Science and Hispanic studies. She is passionate about leveraging strategic research and data-driven insights to support democratic initiatives and navigate the complex realities of political work, particularly where policy, power, and public interest intersect.
We are committed to both the inspiring organizations we’ve had long standing relationships with and partnering with new clients – from established and emerging members of our ecosystem to tailored donor advising. For a comprehensive list of past and current clients, please contact us directly.