About Umagine
We deliver social impact.
Umagine is not just another consultancy.
We exist to solve one problem...that too many programs fail vulnerable people.
We have worked extensively across human services with the people at the centre of our work, including:
- Children, young people, and families
- Young people at risk
- People with disability
- First Nations people and communities
Unfortunately we kept seeing the same thing:
- Strategies that make excellent documents and get parked on a shelf.
- Passionate people unable to operationalise strategy into effective programs and services for vulnerable people.
The fail points were gaps in strategy, teams at capacity, programs under resourced, complexity, flawed structures, and ineffective planning and delivery.
The Need
The need was clear...an approach that:
- places people at the centre - always
- can validate strategy
- brings unique and insightful leadership
- combines professional skills with innovation
- can navigate complexity and respond to lived experience at the same time
Why Umagine?
Umagine is proven and tested in the complexity, challenges, and importance of real impact for vulnerable people. We know what successful
program delivery looks like.
A few of our social impact success stories include:
- Intergenerational change for First Nations people and communities through $100+million in enduring benefits
- People with disability exercise full choice and control to retain independence and continuity of employment through the transition of a $41.5million national contract
- Detailed Business Cases developed for iconic First Nations cultural infrastructure in Queensland with detailed analysis and advice on planning, design, cost modelling, and implementation
- Secured funding ($1.2 million) for a community NGO to engage at-risk young people in Project Pivot – positive life experiences, learning and employment, and a stronger connection to culture.
We specialise in what we call soft infrastructure...or people programs. Our service offering brings leadership, strategic insight, and robust delivery to soft infrastructure programs.
Our Approach
Six principles guide our work to ensure that we can successfully convert strategy to social impact.
Person-centred design
Person-centred design ensures that agency and program integrity are preserved. Program development is with, and not around, the people who will benefit.
Critical thinking
We encourage creative thinking that aligns with research findings, strategic intent, co-design outcomes, and real-world delivery constraints.
Disrupt the status quo
We challenge conventional program architecture. We question assumptions, test approaches, drive new thinking, and examine current and previous models.
Leverage innovation
The world does not stand still. We embrace innovation, emerging technologies, delivery models, and sector breakthroughs to gain an edge in solving social challenges.
Implementation rigour
Implementation is where most social programs succeed or fail. We apply disciplined project planning, management, governance, and delivery methodology to every program we are involved in.
Build capability
Every Umagine engagement transfers capability to our partner and their team. Our goal is to build and promote internal capacity for greater reach and sustainability of social change.
Our Principal
Michael Rheinberger
Principal, Umagine MBA
BEd
A leader in program delivery and social impact.
Michael brings a proven record in strategy, program management and the implementation of complex social change programs at scale across the public, private and non-government sectors.
Why Michael started Umagine
Across community organisations, government and business, Michael was seeing the same thing: excellent strategy trapped in a document or
parked on a shelf. And when strategy did make it off the shelf there were passionate people who struggled to take it and operationalise
strategy into effective programs and services for vulnerable people. Umagine closes this gap.
Michael has made a significant contribution within the most politically contentious element of the program. I have appreciated his ability to process significant quantities of work in a no-fail environment, his adaptability, and his capacity to see the strategic picture while operationalising the need and delivering on outcomes. He is a natural collaborator and an inclusive leader.
Why it Works
Tested and proven
A diverse portfolio of complex and challenging social change programs, successfully delivered, from national programs to funding for
community NGOs.
Where people meet programs
A deep understanding of the complexity at the interface between vulnerable people and program delivery. We know “what good looks like” and
how to make it happen.
Who we have worked with
- Community NGOs
- Commonwealth Government
- Social enterprises NSW Government
- Disability service providers
- Queensland Government
- Professional services firms
- Companies and SMEs
