BIPOC Consultant Portal
Our Consultant Portal seeks to elevate the expertise and experience of BIPOC Consultants.
AMPT is highlighting BIPOC consultants who have shared values, cultural relevance and desire to see systemic change for nonprofit organizations. AMPT is committed to crafting transparent relationships with community organizations and consultants, while fostering collaborative community building.
This portal is for informational purposes.
If you reach out to a consultant, you will be responsible for the payment and fees in relation to their work.
If you are a consultant interested in being displayed on our portal, please use this Google form.
Adrian J DeLeon
Areas of Expertise: Program Development and Evaluation, Board Development, Data Strategy and Project Management
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AJ and the team at Innovare directly supported schools in the South and West Side of Chicago to use data strategically while at Chicago Public Schools. Now, AJ leads Innovare, an education technology company that works with nonprofit organizations and schools across the United States and is headquartered in Chicago. Innovare's clients include schools across the entire city but mostly in Chicago's southwest and northwest sides. Our team understands the needs of nonprofit leadership and education leadership in Chicago and has a proven track record of supporting them toward results.
Adria Husband
Areas of Expertise: Organizational Management, Program Development & Evaluation, DEI
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Adria Husband has almost 20 years of experience in educational leadership, operations management, and organizational development. Adria has served as an advocate for racial and social justice throughout her professional career, from orchestrating efforts to support systemic social emotional development in students grades K-12 across 20 large urban school districts, to creating and implementing policy and practices around equitable distribution of educational resources to historically underserved communities in Chicago. Adria excels in cultivating organizational culture shifts, problem identification, and creative process redesign. Adria’s most recent work has included a participatory grantmaking strategy redesign project centering the voices and experiences of leaders of color, and coaching/consulting around culturally responsive practices in program delivery and workplace practices. Adria’s consultative practice is intentional around the examination of bringing embodiment, healing and restoration into equity and justice work. Adria is a coach, facilitator, mediator, gift cultivator, and lifelong learner of the human experience.
Alberto Morales
Areas of Expertise: Program Development & Evaluation, Strategic Planning & Visioning, DEI, Education, Operations, Project Management, Grantmaking
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Alberto Morales’ experiences as an LGBT, first-generation college graduate & son of Mexican immigrants are the reason his north star points toward equity. He has worked across the policy, non-profit, corporate & philanthropic sectors.
During his tenure in his three roles (Program Associate, Data Manager & Associate Program Officer) at the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, Alberto supported the stewardship of multimillion dollar grants across the early childhood, K-12, and post-secondary public education sector. His responsibilities also included managing relationships with the sports partners, Chicago Bulls, White Sox, Chicago Cubs and Blackhawks, and assisting them to develop, implement, and evaluate $2.5M grant strategies. Alberto was instrumental in McCormick’s strategic planning efforts and created a disparities report that led to a prioritized focus on the South Side of Chicago for the foundation’s $40+ million annual portfolio and a racial equity approved north star.
Adrian Segura
Areas of Expertise: Leadership Development, Organizational Management, Program Development & Evaluation, Business Planning & Development, Strategic Planning & Visioning, Board Development
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I have a decade of non-profit and government sector leadership experience in engagement, program design, performance management, organizational change management, education, public policy, and innovation.
Agnes Meneses (she/her)
Areas of Expertise: Board Development, DEI, Human Resources & Culture, Leadership Development, Organizational Management, Program Development & Evaluation, Strategic Planning & Visioning, Convenings and facilitation
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I have worked in Chicago philanthropy for close to 20 years, and as such have worked alongside and with many organizations in the South and West sides, as well as throughout Chicago. I have come to know many organizations in the social justice movement, small grassroots and community organizations.
Alexis Dupree
Areas of Expertise: Leadership Development, Organizational Management, Program Development & Evaluation, Strategic Planning & Visioning, DEI, Executive Coaching, Human Resources & Culture, Anti-Racism, Communications & Marketing, Human Resources & Staff Development, Wellness
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I’m a trained communications and organizational leadership professional with a unique background in education, wellness, and artmaking through a community engagement lens. I hold a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Adler University and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications Studies from University of Missouri-Kansas City. I have 10 years of combined work and volunteer experience in Pre-K-12 education, non-profit outreach & development, community wellness, and art. I have developed the soft skills any organization could benefit from and work well in roles that allow me to collaboratively lead and create opportunities for others. I have orchestrated and led various youth and community focused programs, authored strategic documents, led and facilitated employee and volunteer training, completed asset mapping for partnership engagement impact analysis, as well as managed day-to-day operations for growing start-up organizations. My approach to support organization change is rooted in a holistic approach (Adlerian Theory) and wellness. I believe that organizations must prioritize the overall wellness of each individual employee and remain committed to doing the work internally, as much as they are externally.
Alicia T. Vega
Areas of Expertise: Leadership Development, Organizational Management, Program Development & Evaluation, Strategic Planning & Visioning, DEI, Executive Coaching, Human Resources & Culture, Anti-Racism, Communications & Marketing, Human Resources & Staff Development, Wellness
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Alicia T. Vega has over 25 years of experience in nonprofit leadership positions working in a diverse array of executive level positions including executive director of two organizations servicing communities of color. She then launched her consulting business and is a proven leader in stabilizing, strengthening, and sustaining resources that benefit communities with inequitable access. Alicia holds a Master of Jurisprudence Degree in Child and Family Law. She is a member of Intentional Interim Executive Director Services and completed the Interim Executives Academy Program with Third Sector Company. She holds a certificate in Leading for DEI from the Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise and Responsibility. Alicia has provided consulting to several organizations including Centro de Trabajadores Unidos and Brave Space Alliance. She specializes in providing coaching to new executive directors, interim executive director services, organizational development, and program evaluation.
Alysia D. Tate (she/her)
Areas of Expertise: Leadership Development, Organizational Management, DEI, Coaching, Human Resources & Culture, Anti-Racism
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Led grantee focus groups for Woods Fund, oversaw capacity building initiatives at Chicago Foundation for Women, built the board for AMPT to ensure representation fro South and West Side organizations, facilitated community-based focus groups on the Consent Decree for the Illinois Attorney General's Office. Provided capacity building for two south side organizations via the UChicago Community Accelerator and provided executive coaching for several women of color nonprofit leaders.
Amber Mason
Areas of Expertise: Program Development & Evaluation, Strategic Planning & Visioning, Coaching
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Dr. Amber Mason brings over 12 years of professional experience in the field program evaluation. Her work has involved evaluation studies for educational and social impact organizations, with a focus on the variability of outcomes impacting various social and ethnic backgrounds. Her work involves building the data infrastructures necessary for partners to utilize data to inform programmatic practice and policy decisions for diverse stakeholders. Most recently, Dr. Mason served as an expert panelist on the Bright Promises Foundation’s "Confronting Racism: Causes and Strategies for Addressing Race Based Trauma in Children" event, where she provided an evaluation lens to how trauma caused by racism impacts children and youth. Dr. Mason also volunteers as an instructor for the Pathways Initiative, a collaborative seeking to strengthen the diversity of the Chicago area evaluation field by increasing the recruitment, training and retention of culturally responsive and equity-focused evaluators of color in the Chicago region.
Alex R. Fralin
Areas of Expertise: Leadership Development, Organizational Management, Strategic Planning & Visioning, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Executive Coaching, Human Resources & Staff Development
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Alex founded Leading Partnerships, a Chicago based leadership consulting practice that equips school and district leaders with the tools necessary to transform their leadership development, school support and school-district partnership systems that dramatically improves conditions for learning and thriving. He has a rich background in facilitating school and district improvement, as well as coaching and supervising K-12 school leaders with a focus on building equitable systems in partnership with district leaders for over 25 years in New York City, Madison, WI and Chicago.. For several years now, Alex has worked closely with a national organization focused on equity leadership development to design and grow the national network of school school districts committed to redesigning aspects of their system that better meets the needs of all their students, especially those students who have been historically marginalized. Most recently, Alex has been fully enjoying coaching Executive Directors of nonprofit organizations and their leadership team in the Chicago area.
Ashley Seaverson
Areas of Expertise: Communications & Marketing, Financial Planning & Budget Development, Grant Writing & Fundraising, Strategic Planning & Visioning
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Hello, My name is Ashley Seaverson. I was recommended to AMPT by Dream Academy foundation. I have worked with them and several other Chicago NPO's on their event planning and fund raising needs. I have a background in hospitality management and have worked on both the client side and facility side of event management during my professional career. This includes helping create and maintain budgets, creating policies and procedures, helping clients achieve a clear vision of their objectives. Some of the NPO I've worked with are Ladies of Virtue, Point of View, I'm Pretty Too, and others. I was also a Chicago Cares Volunteer Leader years ago and am excited to become apart of the organization again.
Dr. Andrea Brown-Thirston
Areas of Expertise: Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Executive Coaching, Leadership Development, Program Development & Evaluation
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Optimal Learning Solutions is a consulting company that provides innovative education solutions to improve learning outcomes. We accomplish this through equity-centered curriculum design for youth development organizations. Optimal Learning urges clients to think outside the box and reimagine the teaching and learning experiences they create. Clients have included the Chicago Public Schools, Homewood Science Center, Love Your Magic, The Moriah Group, She Needs to Know, and the U.S. Department of Education. Optimal Learning is also a member of Catalyst:Ed, a nonprofit organization which matches diverse consultants with education organizations in need of specific, project-based expertise.
My previous experience includes six years as a Lead Consultant, implementing the School Improvement Grant (SIG) at several Chicago Public high schools on the west and south sides of Chicago. I provided curriculum development, individualized coaching for teachers/teacher leaders, and whole school professional development sessions.
Ándrea Férnanda Serrano
Areas of Expertise: DEI, Board Development, Human Resources & Culture, Anti-Racism, Fundraising through an anti-racist & community centric lens
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I am xicanx and an immigrant with a deep awareness of her privilege, grounded in a passion for social justice and equity. Ándrea aspires to facilitate philanthropy with a deep passion for social justice, equity, cultural awareness, and community engagement. She is the current Managing Director of Development for Teach For America Greater Chicago - Northwest Indiana and coaches fundraisers on how they can apply an antiracist lens in the world of fundraising.
Asha Ntim
Areas of Expertise: Leadership Development, Organizational Management, DEI, Anti-Racism
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I've worked in the nonprofit sector for 5 years as a grassroots mentoring program for African American Girls. My Master's is in Project Management. I have been able to use it as a resource in strategic and organization planning in developing my program.
Bettina M Jones
Areas of Expertise: Executive Coaching, Life Coach - Expert in empowering individuals to unlock their full potential, navigate life transitions and achieve personal growth and fulfillment. Proficient in leveraging tailored coaching methodologies to cultivate self-awareness, resilience and confidence, guiding clients towards a purpose-driven life and lasting positive transformations.
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In a world where meaningful change often demands courage and resilience, Bettina knows the importance of empowerment and inspiring women of color to reclaim their narratives and transform their lives. As a master certified life coach she has dedicated her life to uplifting women of color in the corporate and non-profit sectors, guiding them toward purpose, power and self-discovery.
Rooted in a rich corporate background spanning over two decades across diverse industries — financial services, tech, consumer goods, and academia — Bettina intimately understands the unique challenges that women of color face in such spaces. She has seen firsthand the struggles and triumphs, navigating the intricacies of a white male-dominated society. This deep understanding fuels her passion for creating inclusive, brave and psychologically safe spaces where women of color can thrive.
Bettina was also the co-facilitator for a group coaching program for Black and Latino Leaders, Entrepreneurs and Creatives for Chicago's Collective Initiatives "Let Me Live" Group Coach Program 2023.
Brandy Walker
Areas of Expertise: Board Development, Communications & Marketing, Executive Coaching, Grant Writing & Fundraising, Leadership Development, Organizational Management, Strategic Planning & Visioning
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With a decade of experience spanning non-profit organizations from California to New York, I have been deeply involved in Program Development and Personal Development. Over the last few years, I have focused on personal transformation and helping people and organizations move further and forward. I leverage my life experiences, formal education, and intuitive abilities to empower individuals to unlock their full potential. My unique combination of skills allows me to connect with people on a profound level, helping them break through barriers and achieve their goals. Whether it's enhancing careers, relationships, or overall well-being, my guidance and unwavering commitment make me a trusted partner for those seeking positive changes in their lives.
Brittany Lambert
Areas of Expertise: Anti-Racism, Business Planning & Development, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Executive Coaching, Leadership Development, Organizational Management, Program Development & Evaluation, Strategic Planning & Visioning, Technology, Personal Development, Professional Development, VR
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Brittany is creating the gold standard for empowering diverse communities to advocate for themselves in corporate spaces. She brings 17 years of DE & I work in corporate pathway development for underrecognized workers, is a holistic career and personal empowerment coach, and has recently come out of the closet as an avid gamer. She is passionate about transformative DEI practices at every level and is combining this with her tech-savvy nature to create environments in virtual reality that embody the equitable and sustainable village we are all seeking.
C. Adam Callery (he/him)
Areas of Expertise: Strategic Planning and Strategic Visioning
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Dr. Callery is an entrepreneur and higher education educator. For the past eleven (11) years, Dr. Callery has worked directly with the start-up and emerging business communities at a national level. Dr. Callery has held the roles as facilitator and trainer for two (2) nationally recognized small business growth programs, the US Small Business Administration’s Streetwise MBA Program in Chicago and the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program. His company, Sagesse Lumiere, a small business coaching and consulting firm, was established nine years ago to complement the work he was doing in these programs. To date, Dr. Callery has advised over one thousand small business founders.
Dr. Callery, as a coach and consultant, works with small business owners on approaches to effectively build value by deploying new business practices and processes to improve financial performance and operational efficiency.
Celia Gonzalez Lozano
Areas of Expertise: Organizational Management, Program Development & Evaluation, Strategic Planning & Visioning
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Celia Gonzalez Lozano was the founding Director of the Telpochcalli Community Education Project in Little Village. She worked to increase community involvement in education, supported leadership development of parents and youth, advocated for development of a cultural and educational center, and established its initial board of directors.
Celia spent 16 years in senior leadership at Communities In Schools of Chicago. Celia launched its signature drop-out prevention program, and collaborated with schools and community organizations to increase access to enrichment and prevention programs. Celia led a team of 40 program staff, managed program development, budgets and evaluation, organized events and trainings, supported fundraising and grant reporting, and engaged in strategic planning and organizational development.
Celia has worked for and participated in a variety of initiatives and community-based organizations. Celia earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Wesleyan University and a Masters in Urban Planning and Public Policy from UIC.
Cheryl M. Francis
Areas of Expertise: Leadership Development, Organizational Management, Program Development & Evaluation, Strategic Planning & Visioning, DEI, Board Development, Coaching, Human Resources & Culture, Anti-Racism
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Cheryl M. Francis is a strategic, mission-focused, solutions-driven catalyst - committed to building/enhancing the capacity of executive leaders, organizations, and communities to achieve equity, social change, racial justice, and community transformation. Her professional career includes over three decades of multifaceted executive-level experience managing multi-million dollar budgets in programs serving disadvantaged adults, children/youth, and families confronting disparities associated with poverty, violence, incarceration, and academic failure in under-resourced neighborhoods in Chicago. She is entrepreneurial, disciplined, and committed to fostering a results-oriented and value-driven team environment.
Throughout her career, her primary responsibilities encompassed significant operational and program oversight, including core business and functional disciplines, guiding coalition-building and engaging in advocacy at the state and federal levels. Her contributions to highly regarded city-wide and community-based organizations, such as the Chicago Department of Human Services, United Way, Bethel New Life, Safer Foundation, Steans Family Foundation, the Nonprofit Financial Center, and the Chicago Area Project have contributed to their durability and impact.
Chris Paicely
Areas of Expertise: Strategic Planning & Visioning, Marketing and Communications Strategy
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As a marketing and communications consultant, Chris Paicely has served as a thoughtful storytelling strategist, leading communications for the black-led High School District 206 for several years. As Vice President of Marketing at the Surge Institute, Chris’ storytelling work has elevated the voices of black and brown education leaders from the south and west side. Chris also sits on the board of Alt_ Chicago, an arts nonprofit serving Englewood and Austin.
Claude Robinson
Areas of Expertise: Board Development, Business Planning & Development, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Leadership Development, Program Development & Evaluation
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Claude is the Founder/President of Onyx Strategic Partners, LLC. His life’s work has been to enhance the social, economic, political and spiritual quality of life for marginalized communities. His work in community engagement, government and community affairs has been nationally recognized. He is involved with the Business Leadership Council, Latino Policy Forum, Attorney Registration Discipline Commission and Rush BMO Institute for Health Equity. Claude is a staunch advocate of procurement with MBE/WBE vendors and a noted leader in the nonprofit sector
Crystal Wash
Areas of Expertise: Program Development & Evaluation
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Crystal Wash is the owner and founder of Consortium Research and Development Partners.
Crystal is a program evaluator with experience in assessing and improving the effectiveness of educational programs. With a background in research methodology and data analysis, Crystal has played a pivotal role in assessing projects aimed at enhancing program
outcomes and maximizing impact. Throughout her career, Crystal has worked with a wide range of organizations, including government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions. Her expertise spans various domains, from early childhood education to collaborating with higher education initiatives. She has a deep understanding of curriculum development, teacher effectiveness, and student outcomes. Crystal’s approach to program evaluation places a strong emphasis on collaboration with stakeholders. She actively involves program staff, and other relevant parties in the evaluation process, fostering a sense of ownership and buy in that enhances the evaluation's impact. Crystal is a member of the American Evaluation Association.
Crystal Coats
Areas of Expertise: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Executive Coaching, Leadership Development, Program Development & Evaluation, Strategic Planning & Visioning
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Crystal Coats is the Founder of Legacy Consulting Group, LLC. A 20+ year professional, Crystal's work focuses on creating sustainable social impact through strategy, training, and advising.
Crystal creates programs that are data-informed, culturally inclusive, and carry strategic value to the organizations and the communities they serve. Her work has spanned the arts, higher education, government, and financial sectors. The majority of her work has centered on engaging BIPOC communities through programs, training, and outreach. Crystal has experience leading staff teams and engaging with philanthropy, along with supporting executive leaders in designing and implementing strategy.
Crystal is an avid speaker, facilitator, and coach. She creates shared experiences that focus on using interactive engagement to develop skills like active listening, data-informed approaches, and decision making. She has presented at conferences such as the Points of Light Conference, and the Illinois Conference on Volunteer Administration (ICOVA), as well as facilitated workshops for organizations like the Experimental Sounds Studio and the Emergency Nurses Association.
Crystal graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with her bachelors degree in English and a minor in Black Studies. She received her Masters Degree from the University of Chicago's Master of Arts in Humanities program. In 2016 she was a Fellow in the University of Chicago's Civic Leadership Academy and holds a certificate in nonprofit board leadership. Crystal also serves on the Board of Social Responsibility Chicago.
Consuella Brown
Areas of Expertise: Organizational Management, Strategic Planning & Visioning, Board Development
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Since officially launching my consulting practice in 2017, I have worked almost exclusively with smaller nonprofit organizations on the South and West Side of Chicago in such communities as South Chicago, Englewood, Woodlawn, Garfield Park, and Greater Grand Crossing. In fact, I prefer it!!! As a former program director at Woods Fund of Chicago and senior member of nonprofit management teams, my strengths lie in helping leaders and organizations dream again and dream big (executive coaching), build their teams and institutional capacity (executive searches and professional development training), and think about short- and long-term goals (strategic planning/visioning and gaps analysis). Some of my clients have included: Centro de Trabajadores Unidos, Matthew House, Englewood Capacity Building Initiative, Residents Association of Greater Englewood, Teamwork Englewood, Garfield Park Community Council, I Grow Chicago, and Future Ties.
Cynthia Nambo (she/ella)
Areas of Expertise: Strategic Planning and Strategic Visioning
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Cynthia Candido Nambo is an equity centered leader, facilitator, educator, former principal, professional developer and designer for 28 years. Beyond and including these 28 years her leadership compels her to design sustainable systems for racial, gender, and class equity through cross cultural coalition and innovation. Currently she has launched her own platform providing Executive Leadership Coaching for Equity and is a Senior Consultant for various entities. She builds organizational infrastructure for educational institutions, not for profits, companies, operations and/or diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
Formerly she was a Leadership Coach with the Network for College Success (NCS) for five years at the University of Chicago. She coached a portfolio of five high schools in executive leadership for principals and assistant principals; and executed equity centered coaching of teacher leaders and their teams. In addition, she led professional development institutes for the NCS portfolio of nineteen high schools.
D. Nigel Green
Areas of Expertise: Leadership Development, Strategic Planning & Visioning, DEI
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Educator by title and a listener in action, continuing to rely on the voice of the youth and their allies to create equitable & inclusive, engaging & effective, diverse educational communities. As the Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion in the second largest public educational system in the nation’s third largest city, my energy is dedicated to creating equitable and justice-aligned outcomes for our staff and scholars. My mission is eliminating the racist policies and practices embedded in white supremacy in the interest of making Noble the best place to work and achieving Noble’s vision for our children: ensure that all students have equitable and positive school experiences that equip them to succeed on the path their choice, leading to 75% of alumni completing college. I believe community culture is everything. “No one will fall [because] everyone will be each other’s crutches,” so sayeth Jay-Z.
Dana Britto
Areas of Expertise: Business Planning & Development, Executive Coaching, Financial Planning & Budget Development, Leadership Development, Organizational Management
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I’ve spent the past 16+ years working with and for nonprofit organizations as a lender, financial consultant and Board Treasurer to strengthen financial and operational strategies, infrastructure and leadership capacity. My experience includes developing and delivering programming for 20 Black/Latine led orgs on the South and West Sides of Chicago through financial management workshops and limited coaching engagements provided through the Stronger Nonprofits Initiative, a program delivered in partnership with IFF and developed exclusively for leaders of color. In addition, I’ve done more in-depth work with groups like BUILD Chicago and Austin Coming Together (ACT) to develop fiscal infrastructure and strengthen systems/frameworks for financial planning and decision-making.
The principles and frameworks that she operates from focus on internal healing and alignment in order to truly manifest joy, sustainability, and strategic visioning for oneself and the community people serve and lead in.
Deborah Minor Harvey (she/her)
Areas of Expertise: Leadership Development, Organizational Management, Business Planning & Development, Strategic Planning & Visioning, DEI, Board Development, Coaching, Anti-Racism
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Deborah Minor Harvey is a thought leader, a game changer, a way-maker and a woman who has the courage to lead from the front and the wisdom and humility to lead from the back. She launched The Right Source, Inc. in 1989 to fill a need in the market place for high-level program management within the framework of diversity, equity and inclusion.
As an organizational effectiveness consultant and coach, Deborah guides nonprofit and for profit executives through the process of being mindful and results-oriented leaders. She is excited with organizations that are committed to growth. She wants to provide “growth equipment” to facilitate growth.
Deborah Harris
Areas of Expertise: Organizational Management, Program Development & Evaluation, Strategic Planning & Visioning, Board Development, Coaching
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Deborah now works as a consultant to support organizational development, leadership development and Black/ women of color in leadership within philanthropy. Her goal is to continue to reshape the foundations of this country and global constructs that place money, classism, and racism above the heart and will of the people.
The principles and frameworks that she operates from focus on internal healing and alignment in order to truly manifest joy, sustainability, and strategic visioning for oneself and the community people serve and lead in.
Derrick M. Fleming, Jr.
Areas of Expertise: Anti-Racism, Board Development, Business Planning & Development, Communications & Marketing, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Executive Coaching, Financial Planning & Budget Development, Grant Writing & Fundraising, Human Resources & Culture, Human Resources & Staff Development, Leadership Development, Organizational Management, Program Development & Evaluation, Strategic Planning & Visioning, Technology, Nonprofit Management Expert, Coach, and Speaker (reason I selected all)
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Since moving back to Chicago in 2013 from Washington, D.C. – Derrick The Gent (Derrick Marcell Fleming, Jr.) also known as “Mr. Oh Yea” in front of large crowds has been on a personal mission to serve the youth, adults, and communities of Chicago and beyond. As a native Midwesterner, born/raised on the Southside of Chicago, a Chicago Public Schools graduate, first-generation college graduate, and raised in a low-income community, Derrick has witnessed many things that could have persuaded him to choose a different path in life. However, Derrick is currently on a mission to develop root cause solutions to eradicate and dismantle historic and current forms of institutional racism and additionally, eliminate the racial wealth and achievement gaps through the power of amplified voice, social/collective impact, coalition building, human-centered design thinking, creativity, joy, and authenticity.
Derrick currently consults, advises, and speaks with individuals/groups, organizations/institutions, and companies that allows him to do two things he loves most: (1) lead and coach teams/individuals to achieve goals and strategic plans collaboratively that supports the mission and vision of the organization/company while developing root cause solutions to some of the systemic issues in our city/country and (2) to create innovative work environments, programs, curriculums, partnerships, events/activities, revenue generation, and more that allowed youth and adults to be a kid again and discover their own unique superpowers, gifts, and talents.
Above all, Derrick wants to ensure all youth (their families & our communities) and/or adults raising/supporting youth – but especially youth/adults from disadvantaged backgrounds, have a fair, inclusive, and equitable chance at a successful life. Now, Derrick is currently on a journey to gain new experiences, while utilizing past leadership/lived experiences, to support organizations and companies in achieving their goals and outcomes. Here is, “Where VISIONARIES come to find SOLUTIONS.”
Also see resume and LinkedIn bio.
Dianne Thomas (she/her)
Areas of Expertise: Personal development/performance development
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Dianne Thomas loves Black people and through her business Ankhacia Enterprises, LLC, she helps them exercise self-determination in two ways: through teaching them how to build thriving nonprofit organizations and through coaching them on how to create high performance lives.
She began her nonprofit career in Atlanta in 1998 where she held several fundraising and executive management posts with small and medium sized organizations. She has served as an AmeriCorps VISTA and worked on public health projects with the DeKalb County (Georgia) Board of Health.
As a Certified High-Performance Coach, Dianne helps individuals and groups create life-long habits that lead them to consistently experience full engagement, joy and confidence. She is also a mentor with the Chicago chapter of the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) where she advises on nonprofit startup, management and fundraising.
Esther Nieves
Areas of Expertise: Leadership Development, Organizational Management, Program Development & Evaluation, Strategic Planning & Visioning, Board Development
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I'm quite comfortable and use culturally competent frameworks as my parting point. I am also bilingual & bi-cultural and work from that space in the consulting work that I do. That is, a mindful approach to cultural nuances, traditions and the lived experiences of my audience, clients or participants.
Diara Bradley
Areas of Expertise: Anti-Racism, Board Development, Business Planning & Development, Communications & Marketing, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Executive Coaching, Human Resources & Culture, Human Resources & Staff Development, Leadership Development, Organizational Management, Strategic Planning & Visioning
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Diara has over a decade of experience in Human Resources with an emphasis of work in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion practices. She attended the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign for her undergraduate degree, and received her Master’s Degree in Human Resources Management and Development from National Louis University. She also has a plethora of other certifications, such as the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate from the University of South Florida. She has worked for a multitude of companies in the HR and DEI arenas - from a start-up all the way to a large global corporation - and she has consulted with a variety of companies on their HR and DEI strategies. She prides herself on always being a trusted business partner and strives to disrupt homogeneity in the workplace.
Diara is also a Realtor and serves on the D77 Committee for the Chicago Association of Realtors.She began her nonprofit career in Atlanta in 1998 where she held several fundraising and executive management posts with small and medium sized organizations. She has served as an AmeriCorps VISTA and worked on public health projects with the DeKalb County (Georgia) Board of Health.As a Certified High-Performance Coach, Dianne helps individuals and groups create life-long habits that lead them to consistently experience full engagement, joy and confidence. She is also a mentor with the Chicago chapter of the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) where she advises on nonprofit startup, management and fundraising.
Elle Davis, MSW
Areas of Expertise: Board Development, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Grant Writing & Fundraising, Leadership Development, Program Development & Evaluation, Strategic Planning & Visioning
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Elle Davis, MSW, is a dedicated professional with over two decades of experience in the non-profit sector, excelling in management, program development, and partnership building. She is a strategic planner, program quality improver, fund development strategist, and staff trainer. More than a consultant, Elle is a mentor, coach, and servant leader committed to delivering tangible results and positive impacts for her clients.
Elle's commitment to enhancing the lives of underserved youth is exemplified by her impactful eight-year tenure with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago. After facing downsizing, she founded The Ellevate Group, LLC, to equip non-profit professionals through training, facilitation, coaching, and program development. Her diverse clientele includes Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Illinois Action for Children, and Phalanx Family Services. Her grant-writing expertise has helped clients secure over $20 million in funding.
Elle holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Creighton University and a Master’s from New York University. As the founder and Chief Elevation Officer of The Ellevate Group, LLC, she leads initiatives to empower professionals in the nonprofit sector. Her community involvement includes board roles with Reflections Foundation and Henry Booth House. She is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Frank Carlos Gihan (he/him)
Areas of Expertise: Leadership Development, Board Training, Partnership Exploration, and Strategic Planning.
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Frank Carlos Gihan, Ph.D., is a senior consultant and life coach with nearly 43 years of both corporate and nonprofit leadership experience. He has guided various civic, arts & culture, and health-related organizations on Chicago’s south and west side communities. In addition, Gihan has led several charitable organizations and foundations, among them the Chicago Tribune Charities, Ronald McDonald House Children’s Charities and the McCormick Tribune Foundation.
As former COO of the Chicago Urban League, Gihan directed housing, education, employment and economic development programs that benefited diverse and disenfranchised communities throughout Chicago. In the arts, Gihan has served on boards of the DuSable Museum and Deeply Rooted Productions.
His consultancy, particularly in the areas of strategic planning and board development, spans large organizations such as the Chicago Defender, AIDS Foundation of Chicago and Ronald McDonald House to smaller community organizations such as Blue Gargoyle, Chicago Black Gay Mens Caucus and One Hundred Black Men of Chicago.
Fernando Ávila
Areas of Expertise: Communications & Marketing, Video Strategy and Production
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Fernando Ávila founded Social Impact Films 15 years ago to serve the social sector by creating videos that represent your organization's impact honestly, ethically, & intimately. Every video is an opportunity to uncover the acts of love within your organization to reshape the conversation about the people you serve.
This filmmaking process allows us to ethically influence the viewer - changing hearts as a pathway to changing minds - and help your organization achieve its funding, marketing, and communications goals.
Genita Robinson (she/her)
Areas of Expertise: Leadership Development, Board Training, Partnership Exploration, and Strategic Planning.
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GCR Consulting is a Chicago-based advisory practice founded by Genita C. Robinson in 2008. A graduate of the University of Chicago Law School, Genita has focused two decades of her career on the non-profit, education, government, and political sectors. Through her work with the Chicago Foundation for Women and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, Genita has developed and led leadership programs grounded in equity. The CFW Willie's Warriors program specifically supported Black women leaders. For five years, Genita led the Mission Sustainability Initiative and gave personalized advice to close to 500 nonprofits across the Chicago region. Genita is distinguished by her passion for diverse causes and ability to achieve measurable outcomes.
Grisel Maldonado
Areas of Expertise: Leadership Development, Organizational Management, Program Development & Evaluation, Business Planning & Development, Strategic Planning & Visioning, Coaching, Postsecondary success
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Grisel is the founder of Avanza Strategies, a consulting firm that specializes in program strategy, execution, and people capacity building with an expertise in education college success strategy. Grisel is also the founder of several postsecondary success entities aiming to address inequality by supporting youth of color to be equipped with the tools they need to achieve their goals. Her work has included driving admissions at Brown University and founding research-based programs at the Noble Network of Charter Schools, Northwestern University, the University of Chicago’s Urban Education Institute, and Chicago Public Schools. Grisel’s research-based programs are now executed across the Chicago Public Schools system as well as organizations from coast to coast.
As a once low-income, first-generation college student raised by hard working Mexican immigrants in the southwest side of Chicago, Grisel has seen first-hand the dearth of guidance and resources that exist for families growing up in similar contexts. Because of this, she has dedicated her career to building innovative models and systems that meet the needs of all communities, especially our underestimated low-income, Black, and Latinx communities that have been historically marginalized.
Hadassah Hickman
Areas of Expertise: Business Planning & Development, Financial Planning & Budget Development, Strategic Planning & Visioning
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Born and raised on the Southside of Chicago, Hadassah began her career at Seaway National Bank. Over the last 15 years, Hadassah has worked with startups, growth stage firms, and nonprofits in business planning, forecasting/financial management, and capital raising. Prior to founding Sitar Group, she served as loan fund portfolio manager for the Women’s Self-Employment Project. Hadassah supports clients in aligning their financial goals with their business model and core business values. She has helped to build profitable companies in a wide range of industries and has secured more than $50 million dollars in financing on behalf of clients.
Hadassah has facilitated the design and launch of programs for Quad Communities Development Corporation, Illinois Institute of Technology and the Chicago Urban League’s award winning nextONE Business Accelerator Program. She has also led the development of Salem’s ARISE 2.0 Accelerator Program with the University of Chicago. Additionally, she served as a lead consultant in the development of the Chicago Urban League’s business plan for Entrepreneurship Center.
Iris C. Gutiérrez Berríos
Areas of Expertise: Leadership Development, Program Development & Evaluation, DEI, Coaching, Human Resources & Culture
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Iris C. Gutiérrez Berríos is an educator, racial healing facilitator, and movement attorney with expertise in immigration and cannabis laws. She originates from San Juan, Puerto Rico and identifies as a queer woman of color. She has been involved in matters related to human rights for over 14 years. In that time, Iris has obtained the insights of developing a healing-centered approach to legal services. She is skilled in program creation, management, development, and oversight focusing on accountability and ethics. Her clients are in different locations globally.
Based on her experience, Iris also speaks to both the individual issues, as well as the complex intersectionality that occurs throughout our diverse society. Her consulting work is centered in compassion and the intersection of diversity, inclusion, belonging, and citizenship as it presents itself in schools, workplaces, and community.
Heather Ana Hathaway Miranda (she/her)
Areas of Expertise: DEI; Empowerment; Authentic Storytelling & Voice; Compassionate, Servant Leadership; Trauma Informed Leadership; Strategic Planning; Anti-racism, Decolonization; Life & Executive Coaching
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Heather Hathaway Miranda is an award-winning bilingual/bicultural Latina scholar-activist. She is an invited international speaker with more than 25 years of experience as a researcher, educator, and sought-after presenter specializing in race, ethnicity, class, gender, identity, and disparity. Ms. Hathaway Miranda empowers underserved communities through education rooted in advocacy efforts to raise consciousness about multi-layered issues grounded in the power of history, oppression, and liberation —locally, nationally and internationally.
Currently, she is the Founder and the fierce chingona Owner of Hathaway Miranda LLC through which she offers transformational speaking (keynote, workshop facilitation, retreats), consulting, coaching (executive & life), and racial healing circles.
Hareder McDowell
Areas of Expertise: Leadership Development, Program Development & Evaluation, Strategic Planning & Visioning
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Over the past five years I created and directed a nonprofit organization based on my doctoral research. Our organization focuses on comprehensive sexual education and empowerment specific for all who identify as female and Black. Primarily we are housed on the south and west sides, through our partnerships with Chicago Public Schools and L.E.A.R.N. charter we have served over (700) girls and women. Professionally I am an instructor of human sexuality and psychology for DePaul University. Each has allowed me to consult on the creation of nonprofit profit organizations, conduct workshops for funding companies such as Springboard on the importance of minority non-profit support, host professional development and leadership trainings for various companies as well as maintained a seat on several boards of minority centered organizations including the Illinois Caucus for adolescent health, the advisory board for the Caucus of Black women & girls and the National Pan-Hellenic Council.
Jason Quiara
Areas of Expertise: Board Development, Business Planning & Development, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Executive Coaching, Grant Writing & Fundraising, Organizational Management, Strategic Planning & Visioning
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Jason brings 18 years of experience in the social sector as a policy advocate, consultant, and grantmaker. His areas of expertise include philanthropy, strategy, non-profit management, public policy, and partnerships.
Jason served as Senior Program Officer at The Joyce Foundation in its Education & Economic Mobility Program. At Joyce, he managed a national portfolio and invested over $40 million to help communities improve postsecondary education outcomes for young people in Illinois and the Midwest Region. Prior to Joyce, Jason held leadership positions at Jobs for the Future and the New England Board of Higher Education.
Jason holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, a master’s degree in education policy and management from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College.
As a new consultant, I have not yet consulted with organizations on the South and West Side of Chicago. However, as a grantmaker, I partnered with the Latino Policy Forum to improve educational outcomes for English Learners in Chicago Public Schools and Illinois.
Jessyca Dudley
Areas of Expertise: Strategic Planning & Visioning
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Jessyca Dudley (she/her) is an experienced social sector leader and strategic advisor who has supported individuals and organizations to shape their strategy, implementation, and learning to advance racial equity.
As the founder and CEO of Bold Ventures, she leads a dynamic team and develops strong and trusting relationships with clients through facilitation and stakeholder engagement that enhances the impact of their efforts.
Joi Imobhio
Areas of Expertise: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Leadership Development, Organizational Management, Program Development & Evaluation, Strategic Planning & Visioning, Grassroot Organizing
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Joi Imobhio is a seasoned Chicago native organizer, strategist and relationship builder with extensive experience supporting small Black and Latine-led organizations on the South and West sides of Chicago. With a background in strategic planning, policy advocacy, and community organizing, Joi has held pivotal roles including Policy Strategist at Impact for Equity and Deputy Director at the Workers Center for Racial Justice building diverse teams and training partners to galvanize power. She has a proven track record in consulting grassroot organizations to develop and implement effective advocacy strategies and coalition building. Joi is dedicated to dismantling systemic racism and advocating for a liberated society where all people belong. Her expertise makes her a valuable asset to your organization
Joyce A. Debrah
Areas of Expertise: Business Planning & Development, Executive Coaching, Human Resources & Culture, Human Resources & Staff Development, Leadership Development, Organizational Management, Program Development & Evaluation, Strategic Planning & Visioning
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Joyce A. Debrah is a Chicago native and career educator with over 25 years of combined service to schools, nonprofit organizations, and school districts. She has been a leader in numerous capacities, including teacher, professional development provider, conference organizer, and assistant principal. This work has been done at the local school, district, and private sectors. Joyce has either participated in or presented at numerous conferences and specialized training, including the Chicago Public Schools Leadership Institute, the CASEL Cross District Leadership Conference, the International Conference on Positive Behavior Supports, KAGAN Trainings, and the National School Reform Faculty Critical Friends Group.
Joyce has numerous degrees: a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Iowa, a Master’s in Urban Education from Saint Xavier University, a second Master’s in Educational Leadership from the American College of Education, and is currently pursuing her doctorate in Educational Leadership. Despite her many professional and civic accomplishments, she is most proud of being the mom of Ja’lia (27) and Jenise (24), who have graduated from college and are pursuing their life’s dreams.
Kheira Issaoui-Mansouri
Areas of Expertise: Program Development & Evaluation, Strategic Planning & Visioning, DEI, Board Development
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I’m a values-driven and action-oriented Arab/North African cis-woman with more than ten years of experience in the social sector including strategy development, program design, facilitation, and evaluation. Over the course of my career, I have worked with dozens of nonprofits and foundations on a wide range of issues including reproductive health and justice, environmental justice, early care and education, and mental health. I particularly enjoy supporting organizations who are just starting to engage in evaluation work and might feel unsure about it. I recently worked with a group of NPO leaders from the South and West sides of Chicago to develop a pledge challenging local foundations to engage in anti-racist philanthropy. I have felt inspired by this work and would love to continue to offer my services for the benefit of organizations that are accountable to communities and focused on liberation.
Kayla Baker
Areas of Expertise: Leadership Development, Organizational Management, Program Development & Evaluation, Business Planning & Development, Financial Planning & Budget Development, Strategic Planning & Visioning, DEI, Board Development, Technology, Anti-Racism, Grant Writing & Fundraising
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Kayla has a wealth of diverse experiences across the asset building, economic mobility, and nonprofit industries. She started her financial career on Wall Street, during the Great Recession, which refined her interests in pursuing work to ensure that the economy works for everyone; this inspired Kayla’s transition to the community/economic development and nonprofit space. Baker has held senior leadership positions at two community development financial institutions, where she leveraged her business and financial acumen to produce grassroots solutions for systemic challenges promoting economic mobility. Supporting nonprofit and business executives, Kayla has enhanced clients’ missions, impact, and growth by building relationships and delivering results.
Julia Perkins
Areas of Expertise: Organizational Management, Strategic Planning & Visioning, DEI
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Julia Perkins of MBMD Strategic Consultants possess over 25 years’ experience working with nonprofits, foundations, and social service agencies in the areas of strategic planning, community engagement, facilitation, and organizational change. During the past three years, MBMD has broaden its work to include engagements centered on racial equity, diversity, and inclusion. MBMD brings a focused lens on organizational change process and planning, offering tools, strategies and support that lead to sustained cultures of equity and inclusion.
Julia has an established reputation in the field, recognized for her expertise in breaking down complex organizational issues, analyzing them, then strategically and creatively, developing solutions. Julia has partnered a myriad of organizations across the city, which include nonprofits located in under-resourced communities such as South Shore, Pilsen, Douglas Park, West Garfield Park, Chatham, Pullman, South Chicago to name a few. Julia is also trained as a racial healing practitioner.
Khurram Imam (He/Him)
Areas of Expertise: Project Development
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Khurram Imam is the Founder of Zaki Consulting in Social Impact-- an agency specializing in effective long-term change in community and organization. The consulting focus incorporates a perspective that includes economics, social justice, civil/human rights, environmental justice, healthcare, economic/community development, personal finance, and business development. From idea creation, to implementation, to analysis of impact, Zaki Consulting brings experience in all facets such as project management, organization assessment, model development, research, curriculum development, and teaching skills.
K Sujata
Areas of Expertise: Leadership Development, Organizational Management, Program Development & Evaluation
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K Sujata provides advisory services to fast growing organizations that are looking for strategic and operational support.
She has expertise is organizational development, operations, and team building. Sujata has extensive experience turning around organizations with deficits to building reserves; improving employee retention; and establishing organizations as thought leaders.
She has designed programs to enhance the leadership of Black women and women of color. Additionally, she has designed programming to achieve the economic self-sufficiency of women-headed households in Englewood. She recently provided consulting support to leaders on Chicago's South and West side as their organizations pivoted their programs in the face of the pandemic.
Kyra Marcano
Areas of Expertise: Leadership Development, Program Development & Evaluation, Strategic Planning & Visioning
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A native Chicagoan, alumna of Chicago Public Schools, and first generation college graduate, Kyra maintains a consciousness rooted in the impact of systems on equity and access. Throughout her decade-long career in education, Kyra served as a classroom teacher, special educator, and school leader — honing her ability to drive system development and continuous improvement year after year.
Kyra founded Brilliant Light in 2018 to provide clients with targeted support to increase their impact through key strategic initiatives and programming, and has partnered with school leaders on the South and West sides of Chicago to adopt and strengthen student-centered distributed instructional leadership models. As a school leader, Kyra received praise for her measured approach, ability to connect perspectives across stakeholders, and unyielding positivity; she strives to bring the same energy and dedication to her clients' spaces. Kyra lives in the Austin community.
Latoya Stampley
Areas of Expertise: Program Development & Evaluation, Strategic Planning & Visioning, Technology
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I am Latoya Stampley, the Chief Executive Officer of Stampley Technology and Management. I began my career as an Intelligence Analyst in the U.S. Air Force before transitioning as a civilian in the IT field. Over the span of my career, I have over 20 years of technical experience. I have held tenure in a wide range of sectors including major corporations, educational institutions, government, and non-profit organizations.
At Stampley Technology and Management, we provide an assortment of technological services to assist our clients in maximizing resources to assure efficiency and reliability for small to mid-sized businesses. We pride ourselves on our diverse portfolio and believe that building strong client relationships is incredibly important.
In addition to my work at Stampley Technology and Management, I am a proud member of Ella’s Daughters, a Chicago-based organization of artists, scholars, and writers working in the tradition of civil rights activist Ella Baker. Our work represents a continuation of Baker’s democratic, egalitarian humanistic tradition.
I have also contributed to the academic field. I have taught CIS 120 - Introduction to Computer Applications at Malcolm X College in Chicago. My diverse experiences in both community development and academia highlight my commitment to education and social justice. I am passionate about supporting small Black/Latinx led organizations on the South and West side of Chicago. I believe in the power of community and the importance of giving back. I am committed to making a difference in my city and beyond.
Kuliva Wilburn
Areas of Expertise: Organizational Management, Program Development & Evaluation, Strategic Planning & Visioning, Healthcare/Public Health
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Kuliva has served as a public health and community development professional for over 15 years, working within the health care sector, supporting community-driven planning and programs, and in housing. Kuliva is currently CEO of Wilburn Strategic Solutions (WSS), a certified Minority-Minority Women-owned consulting firm providing support for the for-profit and non-profit sectors within health care, community development and philanthropy.
The majority of WSS clients are Chicago-based, community serving organizations within the south and west sides of the city and in the southern and western regions of Cook County. Our client roster includes the South Chicago Neighborhood Network, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, West Garfield Park Wellness Collaborative and UCAN Chicago. Before launching her own firm, Kuliva worked as a Senior Consultant with Health Management Associates, a Senior Program Officer at The Chicago Community Trust, and Manager of Planning and Development at ACCESS Community Health Network.
Lamont R. Boyd
Areas of Expertise: Leadership Development, Organizational Management, Strategic Planning & Visioning, Communications & Marketing
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Lamont R. Boyd, has been a Sr Project Manager for several Fortune 500 companies for over 20 years. He holds certifications as a Project Management Professional, Program Management Professional and is a Six Sigma Green Belt. From 2004 to 2014 he served as an adjunct professor at DePaul University where he taught Project Management fundamentals. As a Sr Manager with Deloitte Consulting from 2009 -2014, Lamont specialized in project management and process improvement consulting. Lamont has also been involved, as a member and in various leadership positions, with non-profit organizations since college in organizations such as the National Society of Black Engineers (Community Liaison), Project Management Institute and Toastmasters International.
Since 2020 he has partnered with Dream Academy Foundation in delivering processes, templates and strategic planning support. In June of this year, he founded M. Bridges Consulting LLC that specializes in bringing consulting solutions to non-profit organizations.
Lydia Mercer
Areas of Expertise: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Coaching, Anti-Racism
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Lydia's work is grounded in (un)learning her own racist trauma and supporting others as they examine and excavate the impact of oppression in their lives, the lives of others and the system in which we all engage. As a dynamic and holistic coach, educator, creator, facilitator, and trainer, Lydia engages with all she meets with compassion and love. She leads with equity, and inquiry. She is empathetic, and her way of being reflects care, especially during courageous conversations. She builds capacity through authentic relationships, and loves every part of this “work.”
Linda Diakite Karressy
Areas of Expertise: Executive Coaching, Financial Planning & Budget Development, Organizational Management, Board Financial Training
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Linda is an accounting expert and trainer for service based businesses and nonprofits. She is the Founder & CEO of Insight Financial Group and Insight Business Academy. Linda uses her accounting mastery skills to foster no-judgement environment where individuals can be open and shameless about their business finances and habits. Linda believes everyone deserves an accountant who will not talk down to them but break things down in a respectful manner.
LeShonne Segura (she/her)
Areas of Expertise: Program Development and Evaluation, Strategic Planning, and Leadership Development
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LeShonne W. Segura has a community, education, and philanthropy background, and currently leads various strategic projects for Kids First Chicago. She earned her BA in Sociology from Amherst College and a MA in Teaching from the Relay Graduate School of Education. LeShonne helps clients understand their work through diligent research, planning, and implementation.
Melanie Flores
Areas of Expertise: Program Development & Evaluation, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Grant Writing and Grant Management
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Melanie Flores, Ed.S has 15 years of experience working in Education, program development and grants management and over 5 years of grant writing experience. Ms. Flores is passionate about serving her community and serves as Board Chair of the Mujeres de HACE Auxiliary Board in Chicago as part of the Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement (HACE). She is the Founder and Principal Consultant of Propel Consulting, a company founded with the mission of serving Minority owned nonprofits and small businesses in the city of Chicago to pursue funding opportunities for their programs and operations. Altogether Ms. Flores has helped to secure over $2.4 million in grants and has developed programs for nonprofits specific to serving and supporting students of color.
Melanie Foote-Davis (she/her)
Areas of Expertise: Values-based Leadership, Overwhelm & Burnout Prevention, Imposter syndrome, Conflict resolution, Relationship Building, Self-Care & Wellness, Stress Management
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Melanie Foote-Davis is a Best-Selling Author, Soul Whisperer and Harmony Coach. As Founder of The Soul Suite, she provides safe space for successful, driven leaders to exhale. She arms them with tools, strategies, and support to fully access their peace, activate their power and align with their joy. She is most recognized for her gentle, yet no nonsense approach to leading women to breakthroughs that position them for lifelong success without compromising their well-being.
Mia Henry (she/her)
Areas of Expertise: Executive Coaching, Leadership Development
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Mia Henry (she|her) is the founder and CEO of Freedom Lifted, a company that supports justice-centered leadership development through online learning, training, and coaching.
Through her distinctive approach, Mia has created educational spaces and practical tools for just and ethical leadership for hundreds of nonprofits, colleges, and public libraries across the U.S. In Chicago, she has led trainings, facilitated retreats, and coached leaders for several BIPOC-led nonprofits including UMedics, the Parent Engagement Institute (co-led by Southwest Organizing Project and Logan Square Neighborhood Association), and many others through the custom training she built for AMPT's partners.
Mia has served in several leadership roles for organizations committed to justice and equity including as the founding director of the Chicago Freedom School, the Associate Director at Mikva Challenge, and the Executive Director of the Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership at Kalamazoo College. "
Michele Aikens (she/her)
Areas of Expertise: Managing and Leading an Effective Team
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Michele Aikens, ACC is CEO & Lead Coach of Sepia Prime Communications & Coaching. She is a certified professional coach and credentialed member of the International Coach Federation (ICF). Her areas of specialty include ministry leadership, executive women, transitional, and team coaching. She consults with non-profits and growing businesses in the areas of leadership, team and change strategies. Aikens has more than 30 years’ experience in training, publishing, communications strategy, and team development. She helps individuals and groups navigate challenges with insight, empathy, and humor.
Aikens is also a storyteller. She is the author of four books, including her latest, a children’s story entitled “Last Night I Dreamed My Purpose.” Aikens is also certified by the World Business Executive Coaches (WBECs) as an Enhanced Practitioner in the Accelerating Coaching Excellence program, and as a certified coach from the Global Team Coaching Institute.
Micheal D. McElveen (he/him)
Areas of Expertise: Strategic Planning and Strategic Visioning
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Micheal aspires to equip people with the resources to maximize their boldest aspirations. He established Velma-Jean Studios (VJS) to build tech, consulting, and media enterprises that generate greater access to and activate capital, capacity, and collaboration in communities. Jeanie, his flagship web and mobile app, is an ecosystem of accountability designed to unlock a radical commitment to our best selves. In the past decade, he’s provided analytics and solutions to the social impact ecosystem, coordinated national college persistence, mentoring, and career readiness initiatives, and supported state-wide awareness campaigns. Although a native of South Central, Los Angeles, Micheal now calls Bronzeville, Chicago home.
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I’ve designed culturally competent hiring frameworks to help organizations identify, recruit, and retain staff of color that embeds the organization’s beliefs, core values, and approach to elevate communities of color. The design is based on 4 pillars: awareness, structure, practices (include beliefs), and organizational support. A comprehensive rubrics and training is provided for decision makers to ensure 100% alignment before launching strategy.
Michelle Kemp (she/her)
Areas of Expertise: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Talent Management
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Seeing the inequities in the educational system and the lack leaders of color that mirrored the communities they served, Michelle decided to dedicate her time and resources to improving and sustaining schools through diversity recruitment. After 11 years of leading talent management initiatives for small and large school networks (ReGeneration Schools and Academy for Urban School Leadership), and designing community engagement strategies (Kendall College and Comer Science & Education Foundation), Michelle founded MK Consulting Group, LLC. MK Consulting Group is a talent management firm that specializes in building expansive and sustainable work cultures through diversity recruitment and retention. Her work supports organizations in building transparent and inclusive work communities that challenges implicit bias and propels performance.
Michelle has a Master of Business Administration in Project Management, a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Surge Fellow Alumna, and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She currently resides in Chicago, IL with her son.
Monica Martinez
Areas of Expertise: Program Development & Evaluation, Research, Data Strategy, and Needs Assessments
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Monica Martinez is Cofounder of EduDream, a Latina founded, women owned, research consulting firm inspiring transformation within education by bringing community voice and rigorous research together. She works with education organizations to turn data into actionable information that directs strategic, programming, and policy decisions. She is well-versed in research methodologies from 15+ years of applied research experience. Her cross-cutting professional experience includes working for nonprofits, the City of New York, as a district administrator, and a strategist for a collective impact backbone organization. She is a 2013 alumna of the Harvard Center for Education Policy Research Strategic Data Project (SDP) Fellowship. Monica earned an MPA from New York University’s Wagner School of Public Service and a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy from the University of Chicago. She is fluent in written and conversational Spanish.
Miller Raneal Anderson (he/him)
Areas of Expertise: Managing and Leading an Effective Team
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Miller Anderson is a results-oriented administrator with a successful record of leadership and management experience work in non-profit human service organizations. He is the former Chief Executive Officer for Chicago Youth Centers. During his tenure, Chicago Youth Centers (CYC) raised over $500,000 annually through various fund development initiatives. The overall operating budget for the agency was $10 million.
Mr. Anderson served in the role of Chief Operating Officer and Interim Executive Director of Children’s Home & Aid Society. He worked with the City of Chicago and the Englewood community to develop the Early Childhood Learning Center for the organization.
Miller served as Deputy Director for Program and Fiscal Monitoring for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. In his role, Miller and his staff were responsible for monitoring all the utilization of government funding and federal grants awarded to non-profit agencies throughout the state of Illinois.
His experience in both the public sector and non-profit community has afforded him vast knowledge of funding activities in state government as well as private philanthropic community.
Norman Livingston Kerr
Areas of Expertise: Board Development, Communications & Marketing, Human Resources & Culture, Leadership Development, Organizational Management, Program Development & Evaluation, Strategic Planning & Visioning, CVI (Community Violence Intervention), Building Community Partnerships, Managing Staff
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Norman Livingston Kerr is the Chief Executive Officer of Trajectory Changing Solutions (TCS), LLC. TCS provides support to better implement violence reduction strategies while providing capacity-building support to community-based organizations and municipalities. Norman has been working in social services and government for thirty years.
He recently served as the Assistant Deputy Mayor for Public Safety in the Mayor’s Office, City of Chicago for over two years. There he led the Office of Violence Reduction, an office charged with implementing a violence reduction strategy that coordinated existing efforts, incorporated evidence-based strategies, and promoted collaboration at all levels.
In a previous role, Norman was employed at UCAN, a longstanding organization, where he led the Peace Hub and started UCAN’s Violence Intervention and Prevention Services (VIPS) department and grew this department to over one hundred staff in five years. VIPS applied community violence intervention efforts designed to address the violence crisis plaguing Chicago’s neighborhoods. These initiatives were designed to transform young lives through programs promoting individual healing, self-empowerment, and community transformation.
Prior to UCAN, Norman worked for fourteen years at Cure Violence (CeaseFire), a violence prevention program he was instrumental in crafting through his experience as an outreach worker supporting high-risk individuals, a mentor, and a grassroots community worker. He also served as the Director and later worked as an International Liaison focusing on preventing violence in the Caribbean and Canada. This work was highlighted in the documentary "The Interrupters".
Mr. Kerr received his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Illinois State University and his Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from the Crown Family School of Social Work at the University of Chicago, with a special interest in addressing the impact of trauma in our communities. Norman is extremely intentional about self-care and carves out time to cook, bake, travel, and sing in his reggae band.
Dr. Pauline Elwin
Areas of Expertise: Anti-Racism, Business Planning & Development, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Executive Coaching, Grant Writing & Fundraising, Leadership Development, Organizational Management, Program Development & Evaluation, Strategic Planning & Visioning
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Dr. Pauline Elwin, Founder and CEO of Elwin Innovative Global Consulting LLC, brings over two decades of leadership and strategic planning experience. With a Doctor of Education degree in Organizational Leadership/Business & Consulting, along with two Master's degrees in Applied Leadership Studies and Sociology, her academic journey underscores her deep understanding of organizational dynamics. Dr. Elwin's consultancy empowers clients through tailored coaching and workshops, fostering transformative growth. As an Advisor for the Women in Leadership Certificate Program at the University of Richmond, she actively mentors future leaders. Beyond academia, Dr. Elwin extends her impact by providing consulting services to the BIPOC community in Chicago and DC, driving grassroots change. Her authenticity and dedication to excellence inspire individuals and organizations, leaving a lasting legacy of transformational leadership.
Rachel Vincente (she/her)
Areas of Expertise: Program Development & Evaluation, Strategic Planning & Visioning, DEI
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Rachel Vicente is the CEO and Founder of Rachel Vicente Consulting. She is a DEI Strategist & Trainer, a former non-profit leader and forever educator. Her passion is striving to see equity in action. She spent the first eight years of her career deeply immersed in supporting and leading teachers, coaches and organizations to live into anti-racist practices. Five of those eight years include teaching Science and coaching STEM teachers in over 40+ charter, traditional and alternative schools in the South & West sides of Chicago.
Currently, she is working alongside companies to transform and make certain that DEI is built into the fabric and being of all that is done. At the helm, she is committed to ensuring that systems, structures and policies allow for all of us to live into a more just, anti-racist society. Rachel is now based in Miami - but she misses the runs on Lake Michigan.
Perry Gunn (he/him)
Areas of Expertise: Fundraising, Strategic Planning, Board Development, Budgeting and Program Development
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I currently serve as the CEO of the Nonprofit Membership Club (NPMC), where I provide an array of services to Black and Latinx groups on the South and West sides of Chicago. My areas of consulting with these groups include: fundraising, strategic planning, board development, budgeting, and program design and development. Prior to starting the NPMC in 2019, I worked in the nonprofit sector for 40 years, working primarily in program, operations, and development. I have been an Executive Director of small and large organizations. I was a Regional Executive Director at the Chicago Youth Centers, Chief Operating Officer at Urban Gateways, Group Vice President of the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago and Executive Director at Teamwork Englewood.
Rena Henderson Mason
Areas of Expertise: Leadership Development, Strategic Planning & Visioning, DEI, Board Development, Coaching, Human Resources & Culture, Anti-Racism, Strategic restructurings and merger integration
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Rena leads Bold Agenda, a consulting, training and coaching firm focused on empowering leaders to embrace change, push bold ideas and build high performing, diverse, inclusive teams through a range of cycles. She helps facilitate the critical discussions, processes and decisions that help transform an organization with a focus on better governance, courageous leadership, strategic planning and a more inclusive and equitable approach. She has worked with The Firehouse Community Arts Center, Congo Square Theater, Chicago Multi-Cultural Dance Center, Greater Chatham Initiative and eta Creative Arts Foundation. Previously, Rena spent over 20 years helping scale businesses in the food, real estate, publishing and investment banking industries. Rena has an MBA from Harvard Business School and Bachelor’s in Finance from Georgetown University. She is a BoardSource Certified Governance Trainer, an ICF-certified coach and expert facilitator. She serves as Board Development Chair of the Arts Alliance Illinois.
Robret Simpson (she/her)
Areas of Expertise: Board Development, DEI, Executive Coaching, Financial Planning & Budget Development, Human Resources & Culture, Human Resources & Staff Development, Leadership Development, Organizational Management, Program Development & Evaluation, Strategic Planning & Visioning
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Ms. Robret Simpson (she/her) has over 20 years of experience working in administration and operations in Non-Profit Social Services. Her passion is serving organizations that uplift and enhance human capital, ensuring that organizations are developing practices that promote self-sufficiency and advance diversity, equity, and inclusivity, and implementing programs that build people and communities. Here experience is with smaller organizations that support black and Latinx population in the Chicagoland area (primarily the South and West Side).
Ravi Hansra (she/her)
Areas of Expertise: Leadership Development, Organizational Management, Program Development & Evaluation, Strategic Planning & Visioning, DEI, Trauma Informed Care, Mental Health First Aid, Wellness
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Dr. Ravi Hansra is the founder and CEO of Hansra Consulting & Advisory Services (HCAS), and has over 18 years of experience in nonprofit. Her mission and that of her organization is focused on providing strategic supports to uplift the nonprofit, education, and small business sectors. She believes it essential to pull four key levers to elevate the quality and sustainability of these sectors: Visioning and Strategy, Professional Learning, Curriculum Design, and Evaluation. In addition, her person-centered and culturally competent approach is a distinct identifier in the field. Dr. Hansra has extensive experience in guiding leaders through organizational culture-change, strategic planning, leadership development, mentoring, curriculum development, assessment, evaluation, fundraising, and scaling programs. Prior to focusing exclusively on consulting, Dr. Hansra was the Chief Program Impact Officer at the YMCA of Metro Chicago, Leadership Development Consultant at Rush, Visiting Professor at DePaul University, and a high school teacher.
Shantel Suárez Ávila
Areas of Expertise: Business Planning & Development, Coaching, Fundraising
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Shantel Suárez Ávila is a Latina entrepreneur, community fundraiser, project manager, and committed to building a better world with Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous, People of Color (QTBIPOC). Shantel is the Founder and President of Más Allá Consulting, a firm dedicated to supporting leaders and organizations that uplift QTBIPOC through revenue generating strategies, project management, and change management. Más Allá is dedicated to helping close the funding gap that exists in BIPOC communities.
Shantel is certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP) through the Project Management Institute and a Change Management Specialist through the Management & Strategy Institute. Shantel is Mexican-American, bilingual (Spanish and English), a lifelong Chicagoland resident, an animal lover, triathlete, and pie fanatic. For more about Shantel see here: https://www.masallaconsulting.com/about.
Shona Ramchandani
Areas of Expertise: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Coaching, Anti-Racism
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Over the last 15 years, Shona has helped to deepen the impact and efficacy of the justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI) efforts of well-respected educational, non-profit and corporate organizations across the globe. At Chrysalis Consulting Collaborative, LLC, she leverages her suite of finely honed JEDI skills, a lifelong commitment to this work, and a deep passion for authentic, action-oriented and transformative change to help organizations feel empowered in their efforts toward building an authentic culture of inclusion and belonging.
Dr. Tanesha D. House
Areas of Expertise: Leadership Development, Organizational Management, Strategic Planning & Visioning, DEI, Coaching, Human Resources & Culture
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I have implemented culturally competent approaches that allowed for strategically galvanizing diverse community stakeholders (in predominantly black and brown neighborhoods/communities), as well as planned, developed and executed an award-winning comprehensive Quality of Life Plan for the North Lawndale Community. Additionally, I devised an unprecedented culturally competent framework for developing women in leadership, locally, nationally and globally.
Tasha Magett
Areas of Expertise: Project manager specializing in strategy implementation, & creating effective operational processes
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Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) with more than 10 years project management, strategy implementation, and budget experience.
Shilpi Shah
Areas of Expertise: Organizational Management, Business Planning & Development, Financial Planning & Budget Development, Strategic Planning & Visioning
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Over the past 18 years, Shilpi Shah has worked with a number of social-sector organizations on a variety of consulting engagements, helping organizations through financially difficult times and strategic shifts in direction. Shilpi is currently Principal at SKS Consulting, where she works with clients on a variety of projects, including financial sustainability planning, developing strategic growth plans, capitalization planning, conducting landscape analyses, and designing financial models for a wide variety of health and human service, arts, and advocacy organizations.
Shilpi has worked with small Black/Lantinx led organizations on the South and West sides of Chicago over the last few years, providing support in understanding financial health, exploring merger and partnership opportunities, and providing strategic consultations. Clients include ABJ Community Services, South Central Community Services, and Team Englewood.
Sharmila Rao Thakkar (she/her)
Areas of Expertise: Board Development, Business Planning & Development, Communications & Marketing, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Executive Coaching, Leadership Development, Organizational Management, Strategic Planning & Visioning
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Sharmila’s passion is helping philanthropic leaders assess how and where to best deploy their resources. Recognizing the immense power and potential in giving back, she finds great joy in helping people and organizations align their time, talent, treasure, ties and testimony to their motivations, interests, and values. With 25+ years in the nonprofit sector, Sharmila has served as an executive leader, consultant, facilitator, mentor, speaker, and writer. Competency areas include leadership development, program implementation, resource development and communications. She advises and coaches donors, families, and organizations on operations, strategy, board governance/development, multigenerational engagement, equity and inclusion, grantmaking and community outreach. Her approach is one of participatory engagement and compassion, as she aims to bring an equity, cross-cultural, and community-centered lens to all work. Recent engagements include facilitating board training cohorts, grantmaking and governance planning with multigenerational family foundations, and serving as executive director of nonprofit capacity building organization and as the first non-family executive director of a multigenerational family foundation. Sharmila has held leadership roles on several boards involving issues of women and children, immigrant communities, education and public health, and building philanthropic leadership and the capacity of the nonprofit sector.
Yusef Garcia
Areas of Expertise: Board Development, Business Planning & Development, Communications & Marketing, Executive Coaching, Grant Writing & Fundraising, Leadership Development, Organizational Management, Strategic Planning & Visioning, Convening and Thought-leadership
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Latino/e/x and Queer led. Founder and Principal of a people-centered and trust-based consultancy firm partnering with individuals and organizations to help address contemporary challenges by co-developing a diverse scope of contemporary and sustainable solutions. Having close to 20 years of nonprofit and philanthropic acumen while cultivating equitable partnerships & paths for success. My passions include collaborating with diverse individuals and systems, developing people-centered strategies, and helping build a more equitable communities. Helping build and transfer power, one relationship at at time.
Areas of expertise include:
- Executive-level Fundraising & Donor Stewardship
- Governance & Board Support
- Experiential Thought-leadership
- Coaching for Rising Leaders
Valerie Leonard
Areas of Expertise: Program Development & Evaluation. Business Planning & Development, Strategic Planning & Visioning
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Hello, my name is Valerie Leonard, the Founder of Nonprofit Utopia, the ideal community for emerging nonprofit leaders who want to change the world. I help my clients move the needle on some of their most pressing problems through consulting, coaching and community. I am also the host of the Nonprofit Utopia Livestream and Nonprofit Podcast. I am also an adjunct instructor at UIC and Roosevelt Universities.
Vernon Johnson
Areas of Expertise: Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Human Resources & Staff Development, Leadership Development
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I teach organizational culture and socialize frameworks and shine in around the non-profit industrial complex and how task environments are important to understand to see how community orgs navigate funding, political barriers and the motivations behind dollars from for profit organizations. Equity and equality shine here as solutions with justice all central to mitigating these challenges.
LinkedIn / Contact: vj1906@gmail.com
Tia Lewis (she/her)
Areas of Expertise: Business Planning & Development - Financial Planning & Budget Development
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I work with organizations to remain compliant with IRS requirements and execute best accounting practices.
Zuri Thompson
Areas of Expertise: Program Development & Evaluation, Strategic Planning & Visioning, cross-sector collaborations, values assessment and alignment
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Zuri brings 14 years of experience in nonprofit development and direct services. Having worked on the Southside, in the Humboldt Park and Belmont Cragin areas, and other communities throughout Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, Zuri has led programs and strategic planning for low-income senior citizens, homeless veterans, troubled homeowners, and food access and security services. After becoming a mom and experiencing the abysmal U.S. family policies and practices, Zuri became a postpartum doula to support moms and families as they wrapped their minds, hearts, and lifestyles around childbirth. In this role she cultivated skills to serve others with compassion and empowerment and partnered with birth justice organizations focused on supporting historically underserved (low-income, LGBTQ+, BIPOC) birthing people and families.
Zuri blended her nonprofit and doula experiences to establish The Doula Part, a consulting and project management agency that helps nonprofit and for-profit businesses authentically engage and impact communities.
Zipporah Sanders
Areas of Expertise: Project Management, Event Management, Grant and Proposal Management
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Zipporah Sanders has extensive experience as a Project Manager developing and maintaining workflows and processes, providing support in project planning and implementation, handling client communications, and analyzing project-management-related data to nonprofits, and small minority-owned businesses. For more than eight years, Zipporah has served as a project manager at American Institutes for Research on federal and state grants, contracts, and projects. For the past year she has consulted with Truth, Racial, Healing Transformation (TRHT) Chicago, providing project management support to the Director and Associate Director. She has a Bachelor of Communications from Bennett College and a Master of Project Management from University of Maryland Global Campus.