Published on: July 10, 2025
A 25th Anniversary Reflection by Michelle Issadore, M.Ed., CAE
In 2000, TNG started as a small operation in the spare bedroom of the home of founder Brett A. Sokolow, J.D. From a modest start fueled by a powerful vision, we have grown into a national team of over 60 professionals, each bringing multidisciplinary strengths that have amplified both our reach and impact.
At its core, TNG’s story is about building safer, healthier educational environments and doing that work in community with people who share the same mission. Being part of this journey has been a source of pride in my career.
From the beginning, that mission as change agents has compelled us to look beyond the status quo. We’ve helped shape education. Our influence spans K-12 and higher education, into areas of student and employee well-being that have become more critical than ever. Numbers don’t lie. We’ve consulted with more than 4,000 colleges and school districts. The associations under our umbrella have more than 25,000 members. We’ve certified more than 80,000 professionals in our class-leading training courses. We have reach, and that reach has impact.
Why Clients Turn to Us
Our influence isn’t accidental. It’s rooted in trust we’ve earned over time. I’m often asked why institutions turn to TNG, especially in moments of crisis. It’s because we don’t just show up with answers, we show up with experience, and that experience leads to non-linear problem-solving. We’ve weathered changes in federal administrations, regulatory cycles, and economic recessions. That kind of perspective matters.
It also underscores a deeper distinction. Many organizations offer reductionist training on how to complete tasks efficiently. We’re all for efficiency, but our trainings show our attendees how to aim for the ceiling, not the floor. Compliance may be the baseline, but we help our members, training participants, and clients understand and achieve best practices that honor the equal dignity of all members of school and campus communities.
An Agile Team Behind the Scenes
That commitment to excellence comes to life in what we teach and how we operate. One of my proudest moments occurred in 2019, when we hosted our first West Coast ATIXA conference. Wildfires broke out near our original venue in Napa, California. With hundreds of attendees already en route, we had to act fast.
What followed was a real-time demonstration of resilience and purpose. Within 24 hours, we relocated the entire event to San Francisco. New hotel rooms, meeting spaces, meals, flights, and everything else were re-coordinated. It took everything we had, but we made it happen. We didn’t want anyone to miss their opportunity for training and growth. That experience reflected what I know to be true about our team: when the pressure is on, we show up for each other and our clients.
Practicing What We Preach
Our agility during that crisis wasn’t coincidental. It stemmed from our internal design. At TNG, our internal structure mirrors the team-based models we advocate for in our trainings. Silos have no place here. Instead, we collaborate, cross-check, and support one another every single day. Whether it’s through virtual chats or spontaneous teleconferences, our consultants are in constant conversation, drawing on one another’s expertise to deliver the best possible service.
This interconnectedness is more than a strategy; it’s a source of strength. Knowing that I can tap into the expertise of my colleagues at any time gives me confidence in the quality of service we provide to our clients. It also reinforces the belief that this work is better when done together.
Leading with Humanity and Heart
At the heart of it all, quite literally, is the care we bring to the work, a quality that truly sets us apart. When I see my colleagues drop everything to support a client or lose sleep when new Title IX Regulations drop at 4:00 a.m., I know I’m part of something rare and special.
That shared sense of purpose has carried us through. There’s a reason we’ve been here this long. There’s a reason clients trust us. We care deeply, and we never stop learning and pushing to be better and do better. Thank you for trusting us to support you.
Join us in shaping the next 25 years of safer, stronger education. Learn more at www.tngconsulting.com.