About
About Rhetorica Consulting
Rhetorica Consulting has been serving nonprofits and mission-driven organizations since 2021. Our founder, Sumiko Martinez, holds a BA in English from Westminster College and a Master’s degree and PhD in Communication from the University of Utah, and has 20 years of experience working with mission-driven organizations.
Rhetorica Consulting is based in Utah and offers services across the United States.
We are passionate about serving organizations who build and create strong, diverse, and resilient communities and environments where everyone can thrive. Our company values are integrity, joy, intellectual development, creativity, and compassion.
Working With Us
Each client we serve has unique needs, so we tailor our process to best serve you. But in general, here's a brief run-down of what you can expect when you work with us.
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First consultation - this one's on us! We will set up a 30 minute appointment to get to know you and the challenges you are facing. We will provide a few suggestions, recommendations, or resources to help you solve the problem right away.
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Proposal - if you would like a full proposal, we will put together a tailored package, including all deliverables and pricing, and send it to you. This is a great time to make adjustments and clarify the project!
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Contract - if you want to move forward, we will send a contract for signatures.
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Project - we work together with you on the project, as specified in the proposal and agreed in the contract. This often includes status updates or meetings to keep you in the loop. Communication during this phase is ongoing and lasts until the work is finished!
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Wrap-up meeting - this is the final meeting to go over deliverables and ensure that we reached the outcomes you needed.
Even if you aren't ready to engage on a project, we always welcome conversation from nonprofits and mission-driven organizations! (We think you do cool work.) Please feel free to email with questions anytime.
If you like knowing more about the people behind the company, keep reading for an origin story from Rhetorica Consulting's founder!
Our Origin Story
A Note from Our Founder
Hello, and welcome!
I'm Sumiko Martinez, the founder and principal consultant of Rhetorica Consulting. I’m a humanities nerd with a serious thing for data-driven advocacy and an undying love for all things strategy, research, learning, and communication.
I have 20+ years’ professional, board, and volunteer experience working with nonprofits, government, higher education, and mission-driven organizations, and have brought my expertise for making a social impact into all of my work. I really love working with people who care about their communities and the world around us, and I find it incredibly energizing and rewarding. (Also, the people in this sector are generally very smart, cool folks!)
How I Got Here
In 2021, I found myself with two young children (twins!) and an amazing husband, but working in a job that was both overwhelming and deeply boring. The job, however, came with some scheduling flexibility and great health insurance, so I felt like I was stuck there. I was a terrible fit for that job; it was a lot of repetitive paperwork and very transactional relationships that left me feeling disconnected from the people we served.
Desperate to inject some meaning back into my professional life, I started Rhetorica Consulting for three reasons:
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I wanted to work with the kind of people who are drawn to mission-driven organizations,
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I saw so many mission-driven organizations that needed deep expertise in strategy and research, but could not afford a full-time hire, and
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I wanted to build a company that was truly in line with my values and ethics.
In short, I wanted to create a place where I could put my education, experience, and passion to good use.
Rhetorica Consulting was a side hustle for five years, but in May 2026 I took the leap and devoted my full attention to this work!
Who I Am Outside of Work
It depends on who you ask. If you ask my children—actually, don’t ask my children.
If you ask my husband, he’ll tell you I’m a notorious hobby collector.
When the kids don’t have my full attention, you may find me enjoying some of the following pastimes: writing and reading, going to the symphony, cooking, gardening with native plants, garment sewing and embroidery, yoga and slow hiking, riding motorcycles with my family, traveling, swimming, and scuba diving.
If you ask me, I can best answer how I try to show up. I enjoy being happy and learning, and I am trying to show up for people in a way that brings joy.
Thanks for reading along about Rhetorica Consulting's origins. I hope to get to know you soon!
- Sumiko