Certified Community Heart & Soul Coaches

De’An collaborates with individuals from all walks of life, community and faith-based organizations, and primarily small and rural communities across the country to help them better prepare for and recover from natural disasters. She empowers people in a way that values their unique characteristics and strengths, honors what is important to them, gives them a strong voice, and builds resilience. De’an has worked directly with three states and 25+ disaster-impacted communities, developed materials and tools reaching many more, and networked with hundreds of partners to improve local and regional capacity. Her work is informed by her background in communications, mediation, crisis counseling, group facilitation, stakeholder engagement, team building, organizational and leadership development, strategic and community-based planning, law, grants, nonprofit management, coaching/mentoring, training, and event planning. Prior to joining FEMA, De’an mediated community, family, and civil cases and trained mediators in Tennessee. She earned degrees from Emory University, University of Tennessee College of Law, and Pepperdine University School of Law’s Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution. She loves connecting with people, exploring new places, and wandering in the glory of nature.

Daniel is a community planner based in western Nebraska. He has eight years of experience in rural community planning and development, with special attention to community engagement, long range planning, public health, and public resources for property redevelopment. Daniel manages rural programming for Civic Nebraska- with a focus on working alongside adult and youth community leaders to strengthen rural “civic health”- the connections, processes, and habits of involvement that sustain civic life and undergird a thriving local democracy. Daniel also has a passion for music, faith, and sharing the natural beauty of his home state with others. He has a degree in community and regional planning from Iowa State University and is conversational in Spanish.

Bob has over 41 years of experience in economic development, downtown revitalization, urban redevelopment, historic preservation, brownfield redevelopment, place making, marketing and community planning at the local, county, state and national levels as well as the private sector. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan. Bob also has a Graduate Certification in Historic Preservation Planning from Eastern Michigan University and is a U.S. Navy Veteran – Honorable Discharge. Bob has served as an Adjunct Professor at Lawrence Technical University and Eastern Michigan University. A Certified Main Street Manager (CMSM), Bob is recognized throughout Michigan and the United States as a successful economic development and downtown revitalization expert and leader.

Jillian Foster is the Director of Community Engagement at the Barry Community Foundation. She directs the local community leadership program, Leadership Barry County, the Youth Advisory Council. She is the president of the Rotary Club of Hastings and sits on various boards and committees of organizations that are important to her. As a lifelong learner she is pursuing her master’s degree in public administration with an emphasis on nonprofit leadership. She espouses ideas of diversity, equity, and inclusion and is always willing to learn more. In her free time, she loves to travel, read, volunteer, try new gin or beer, go to the beach, and spend time with friends and family. She lives in Michigan with her husband, daughter, and two cats.

Michelle is currently a Program Officer with the Iowa West Foundation. She has worked in the nonprofit sector for more than 30 years and enjoys helping local people dream big and put those ideas into action. A native Iowan, Michelle brought her Pittsburgh-born husband back to her home state where they have raised their two children near Hastings, Iowa (population 110 plus the occasional roaming chicken). She is a graduate of the University of Iowa and holds a Masters from the University of Cincinnati. On a summer night, you’ll probably find her enjoying a glass of wine while watching lightening bugs sparkle in the soybean fields.

Annie Halle is the Vice President of Operations at the Barry Community Foundation (BCF). Annie’s strong sense of community and desire to provide opportunity has made her role at the Foundation a perfect fit. Before coming to the Foundation, Annie held positions in marketing research and public relations. Annie is also a mother of three boys. Annie’s focus has always been on creating opportunity, maximizing potential, and making the place she calls home a little better. As the Vice President of Operations at the Foundation, Annie provides financial access to Barry County students seeking post-secondary educational opportunities.

In addition to her role as scholarship administrator, Annie also manages the Barry Community Enrichment Center, which is home to 11 not-for-profit groups. By creating Barry County’s only nonprofit center, BCF saves area nonprofits a combined total of over $190,000 per year in rent, which in turn allows them to invest these dollars back into the community in programs and services.

Annie has taken an active role in building community throughout Barry County. Her role as affiliate liaison for two neighboring foundations allows her to hear the voices, concerns, and strengths of these communities and facilitate positive action.

Pam has dedicated her life to helping individuals and communities find their unique voice. With decades of experience as a nonprofit consultant and cultural administrator, she is passionate about principled community engagement practices and fostering collective transformation and joy. Pam is a certified trainer in Restorative Justice and Civic Reflection Dialogue. Her past work includes securing millions in funding for community organizations, spearheading strategic planning and evaluation efforts, and creating collaborative programs that bring together community-building and creativity. Since 2006, Pam has served as director of Spirit & Place, a project housed in the Indiana University School of Liberal Arts at IUPUI that uses the arts, humanities, and religion to catalyze civic engagement in a five-county region. Her team’s innovative, race-centered dialogues have been recognized nationally and internationally, and she has won numerous awards including the IUPUI Inspirational Woman Award, as well as local and state artist awards for her creative work.

As a relationship builder with a strategic mindset, Matt currently serves as Executive Director for the Village of Ortonville, MI Downtown Development Authority (DDA), a Nationally Accredited Main Street Oakland County Select Level community. He first acquired the “Main Street” and economic development bug while serving as a volunteer for the Highland Township DDA for 7 years. Matt’s experience includes over 20 years in marketing, planning, fund development, communications and community development in municipal, non-profit and financial services industries. His career has centered on strategic planning, board leadership, creating growth initiatives and building high-functioning teams. He has a Bachelor of Business Administration from Northwood University and a Certificate in Fund Raising Management from Indiana University’s Center of Philanthropy. Matt also dedicates his volunteer time to local non-profit organizations including the Huron Valley Educational Foundation and Brandon Groveland Youth Assistance. Matt and his wife Korey live a fast-paced family focused life in White Lake, MI thanks to their 3 (adult) daughters: Erika, Taylor, and Emma.

Katy Klettlinger, LYRASIS Outreach Representative and Consultant, serves states in the Mid-Atlantic region and has over fifteen years’ experience in archival, government, and public library settings in Ohio. At LYRASIS, Katy provides strategic planning, space planning, and preservation consulting services to libraries, archives, and museums in the United States. Previously, Katy was a Library Consultant for the State Library of Ohio where she assisted public libraries with digitization, space planning, and strategic planning. Before coming to the State Library, Katy worked for six years as the Records Manager and Archivist for Licking County Government where she built the county’s program from the ground up and created its first county-wide digitization program. Her background in archival and digitization management for government settings in addition to public library needs provides unique perspectives for librarians to consider when offering quality services to their patrons. Katy takes pride in supporting colleagues and helping them succeed.

Ben is an AICP Planner and registered landscape architect. He is the President of Downtown Redevelopment Services, a small planning firm focused on helping main streets and small communities create effective plans and redevelopment projects for downtowns. Additionally, he is a board member of the Cleveland Section of American Planning Association and serves as membership chair for the Cleveland section of the Urban Land Institute.

A native Iowan, Jim brings 20 years of nonprofit involvement, serving as executive director, vice president, and in senior leadership roles. Jim is currently the Illinois Main Street State Coordinator. For 14 years, he served the Historic Valley Junction Foundation in West Des Moines, IA, a leading national and GAMSA winning Main Street organization. His experience also includes leadership roles with the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, CSPS Hall and other organizations, primarily focused on community development, downtown revitalization, marketing and communication, development, arts and culture and tourism. A Certified Main Street Manager (CMSM), Jim also has a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He loves local, Dolly Parton, and Dairy Queen.

Cara Marker-Morgan is currently the Interim Executive Director of Golden Hills RC&D. She is also the watershed coordinator working on watershed management projects with Golden Hills since 2017. Cara grew up in southwest Iowa attending both Hamburg and Sidney High schools and graduated from Hamburg High. She went on to college at Peru State majoring in wildlife ecology/biology. Cara found herself in retail management from 1997 until 2005 where she was the manager for 11 Farm Store companies in Nebraska, Minnesota, and Iowa and was one of the only female Area Managers in the company. Cara returned to Peru State where she received a Bachelor of Science in Management and Marketing.

Jason is the Heart & Soul Coordinator at the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque (CFGD). He works with rural communities in the CFGD seven-county region to provide coaching, technical assistance, and planning support for Community Heart & Soul projects. Originally from Dubuque, Neises has spent most of his career in adult education and working with non-profits, including Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Chicago Architecture Foundation, and the Peace Corps. He volunteers in the community with the Dubuque County Historic Preservation Commission, Cub Scouts, Dubuque Museum of Art, the Dubuque Winter Farmers’ Market, and the Thomas Determan Global Perspectives Endowment. Neises has an education degree from the University of Northern Iowa. He lives on a small farm north of Dubuque with his wife and two boys.

Nora Roughen-Schmidt is a Business Consultant with the Wisconsin Small Business Development Center and is a passionate supporter of community and economic development and loves working with small businesses and entrepreneurs. Nora is a creative spirit, entrepreneur and consultant, public speaker and educator, and member of the Governor’s Council on Workforce Investment. She was recognized as a 2017 “40 under 40” award recipient, and her grassroots economic development and small business initiatives have won state and national awards. She lives by the mantra that nothing is impossible.

For over two decades, Eric has been living his purpose to “build flourishing communities in which ALL people can thrive.” Eric uses design thinking to help civic, residents, small businesses and agripreneurs engage in, and direct, their future. Eric has coordinated, facilitated, and led award-winning workforce development, neighborhood and community revitalization, and business and farm development programs both in Africa and across Ohio. Eric has a Master’s in Community Development. He also holds professional certifications, including in Asset Based Community Development. Eric’s affiliations include the Great Lakes Urban Restoration Network, which he directs.

Danielle is a native to Ohio and loves all parts of her home state, especially rural downtowns. She has a passion for historic preservation and learned to write municipal and other grants to support preservation of historic commercial structures. She lives in Toledo with her husband, son and two feline fur-babies but can be found anywhere between Lake Erie and the Ohio River on any given week day. She works with dozens of communities throughout Ohio and northern Kentucky doing whatever it takes to make projects happen: planning, consensus building, funding, phasing, and finding whatever other resources are necessary to make dreams real.

Brian is the President & CEO of the Foundation. In this role, he provides leadership and direction in fulfilling and advancing the mission of the Findlay Hancock County Community Foundation. The CEO is responsible for leading the Foundation in the achievement of its operational and strategic goals including the success of the Foundation’s fund and donor development, fiscal management, grants and program operations, board relations, human capital management, community leadership and administrative matters.

Prior to this role, Brian served as Program Director for Community and Organizational Development and Evaluation at The Community Foundation, where he coached both McComb and Mt. Blanchard in their Community Heart & Soul projects. Before coming to the Foundation, he was the Assistant Dean of Students at the University of Findlay for many years.

Brian has Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in education and a doctorate in organizational leadership. Brian has been recognized for his achievements locally and regionally and has served on a variety of nonprofit boards in the community.

Cassie is the Community Engagement Officer for The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation. Her responsibilities include supporting nonprofit organizations through Organizational Strengthening, grant making, and facilitating the Community Heart and Soul process for Hancock County. This includes managing the process for villages applying for foundation support for Community Heart and Soul, coaching the current village awarded the grants, and supporting past Community Heart and Soul villages in Hancock County.

Cassie is a graduate of the University of Findlay with a Bachelor of Science and earned her Master of Science in Human and Community Resource Development from The Ohio State University. She served as a 4-H Youth Development Educator for 15 years prior to coming to the Foundation. Specializing in teen leadership development. She is also a certified Real Colors Facilitator. Cassie is the current President of the Kiwanis Club of Findlay and lives in rural Hancock County.

A New Jersey native, with time in Ohio before moving to Wisconsin, Darrin has spent his professional career building great places for all. He thought his path lie in historic preservation, but an internship with the German Village Society in Columbus, OH, helped him to understand that saving old buildings was a means to creating authentic places and building community. His time in this historic neighborhood just south of downtown, allowed him to experience the power of inter-generational community and shaped his future work. Darrin continued to hone his craft in Orrville, OH through downtown development, nonprofit leadership, and entrepreneurship (he and his wife, Stephanie, opened a natural pet market) and most recently with Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation’s Wisconsin Main Street communities before joining AARP-WI.

Darrin holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from The Ohio State University and a Masters of Business Administration from Kent State University. He shares a house in Madison with his wife, three kids (Ashton, Cora, and Grayson), four dogs (Moose, Lola, Panda Bear, and Louis) and two chickens (Porsche and Mercedes).

Michelle Wilson is the executive director at Southern Iowa Resource Conservation and Development, a nonprofit organization that serves seven counties in the rolling hills of Iowa with community development, local foods and conservation-related programs.

Michelle has over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, including creating innovative public-private partnerships to improve the livelihood of rural residents. With nonprofit management certification from Duke University, Michelle has developed a range of curriculum to support healthier workplaces and communities in the areas of toxic stress and burnout, leadership development, entrepreneurship, mindfulness in the workplace, and more.

Originally from a small town in southern Iowa, Michelle has lived in both the southwest US and East Coast, eventually returning to her hometown to finish raising her two sons. In her spare time, Michelle is an avid backpacker and outdoor guide, in addition to teaching mindfulness and yoga. Michelle and her husband live in Adams County, Iowa, where they can be found roaming the hillsides in search of the perfect sunset.

Robin is an elected State Representative for Connecticut’s 102nd district since 2018. Serving her Town of Branford, CT she has worked tirelessly addressing issues facing her community and all Connecticut residents, from advocating for health policies that improve access to care, to working on early education issues that support the quality of education for young children. As a grassroots non-profit leader, she led a 10-year initiative to improve outcomes for children from birth through age 8 in her town. She and her team engaged in a collaborative, data-informed process with partners and families through an inclusive community building process that focused on the diverse needs of the town. This work culminated in a Blueprint for Children that guided future investments. Robin has led support groups, professional development, and chaired various workgroups and task forces, that were focused on disabilities, healthcare, and education. She believes that effective leaders bring all stakeholders to the table to develop mutual understanding, find common ground, and build the solutions together. She was inducted into the 2019 Branford Education Hall of Fame for her efforts in improving education in Branford. Robin is married and is mother to a high schooler and a college student.

Jen Danifo is senior program officer at the Pennsylvania Humanities Council and works closely with grantees to provide capacity-building support for program development, learning and evaluation. A large part of her work is overseeing the search and selection of Pennsylvania Heart & Soul communities, supporting external coaches working with communities in the field and managing the development of training and assessments for communities. Jen is a Level 2 certified Heart & Soul coach. She is working directly with three communities in PA: Cameron County, Upper Chichester, and Dillsburg and overseeing the growing network of PA Heart & Soul towns. Her work is rooted in the belief that the humanities inspire individuals to uncover and claim their own stories – and the stories of the communities in which they live – as a way to build understanding, foster resilience and inspire action. Jen has an M.F.A in creative writing from Rosemont College and a certificate in organizational development and leadership from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM).

As the Community Manager at the Community Foundation of South Jersey (CFSJ), Erik is responsible for the execution of CFSJ’s latest community leadership initiative, Transform South Jersey, which aims to strengthen the social, cultural and economic vibrancy of South Jersey communities by activating residents to shape the future of their towns based on what matters most to them. Prior to joining CFSJ, Erik served in a variety of roles with multiple national program offices of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). Most recently, he helped launch Forward Promise, a national program office established to promote the health and well-being of boys and young men of color. Based out of the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education, Erik developed and implemented the program’s grantmaking and technical assistance strategies. Before that, he managed research and evaluation initiatives of RWJF’s statewide grantmaking program, New Jersey Health Initiatives (NJHI). In addition to studying the feasibility and impact of NJHI’s field building efforts, he worked closely with their youth-focused and capacity building programs as well. Erik’s introduction to philanthropy came by way of National Urban Fellows, a rigorous leadership development and graduate degree program in which he earned a Master of Public Administration from Bernard M. Baruch College in New York, while completing a nine-month fellowship with RWJF. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of California at Berkeley.

Meet Mika Fields, a successful advocate and dynamic innovator. Since her graduation from Kean University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology she has inspired positive change and empowered others. Mika has made a significant impact in the social services sector for over two decades.

As an innovator, Mika has consistently sought out creative solutions to address various challenges. She has spearheaded “Muse Fusion LLC,” a therapeutic painting and wellness experience. Through her custom curriculum, Muse Fusion LLC provides individuals with coping skills and the therapeutic benefits of painting during Covid 19.

Mika currently serves as the Project Coordinator for the Willingboro Community Development Corporation’s Heart & Soul effort. In her role, she manages “Willingboro HandS”, a community engagement initiative, shining a light on the stories of the unheard in her hometown. Mika’s commitment to her community has been recognized through securing over $20K in non-profit grants to raise awareness of The Futuro House in Willingboro, New Jersey. Mika Fields’ remarkable journey is a testament to her unwavering dedication to advocacy, mental health support, and community empowerment and her achievements make her a true force for positive change in Willingboro, New Jersey, and beyond.

Adele has facilitated the choreography of placemaking across the United States.

Projects have ranged from federal to local, rural to urban, and coastal to inland.

Often the creator of unusual partnerships, projects have included creating one of the nation’s first sidewalk vending ordinances, skate parks, museum exhibits, grant-funded community solar installations, traffic calming, cultural and natural landscape preservation, Berkshire Synergy Project (BSP), and teaching. The project through line always connects people to people, places, and information.

Adele holds a BA in Botany and Art History (and unofficially Dance) from Connecticut College and a Master of Landscape Architecture from University of California, Berkeley.

Lois is a proud New Jersey native with a passion for community and making the world more beautiful. She has had the privilege of working in place-based philanthropy for over 20 years while at the Wells Fargo Regional Foundation, helping residents develop and implement neighborhood revitalization plans. She also has experience both asking for and lending money to support projects within the social sector through her prior employment at Wells Fargo, Goodwill Industries and JPMorgan/Chase. Her joys are investing in her three beautiful children, building community with others, traveling to amazing places, and Broadway musicals.

In Gary’s early years studying Greek history, the Athenian Oath became very formative for him: “We will strive increasingly to quicken the public’s sense of civic duty.  Thus in all these ways we will transmit this city, not only not less, but greater and more beautiful than it was transmitted to us.”  Gary realized early on he was not going to be happy pursuing a career in Corporate America.  Enjoying drafting and architecture when he went to the University of Connecticut, he took classes in landscape architecture and geography while double-majoring in Community Planning and Regional Development and Agriculture and Natural Resources. 

For the last 18 years, he worked first for the town of Avon as Assistant Town Planner for 4 years and then 14 years as the Director of Community and Development for the town of East Granby.  During this time, he has tried to apply his skills and creativity to inspire communities to have a collective vision and grow toward developing thriving communities.

Gary became interested in the Community Heart and Soul program as a professional attending workshops and professional conferences.  As civic participation and community involvement become growing issues and community residents struggle to get involved in their communities, he goes back to his early roots and the Athenian Oath as a guiding principle.

Judith Hull has worked for Community Heart & Soul since 2021 as a coach and market development consultant. Judith notes: “I really believe in Community Heart & Soul as an effective tool for long-lasting change because it is a resident-driven process that emphasizes the positive. Stories that residents contribute about why they love their communities builds new relationships, trust, and a strong foundation for long-term planning.”

Her experience with community work is long-standing and she considers facilitation, listening, critical thinking, and teamwork important strengths. She is a member of both the Northern New England and the Massachusetts Chapters of the APA.

Judith taught for several decades in professional schools of architecture where attention to urban planning and community development are fundamental to the curriculum and where she honed her skills as a facilitator in leading classroom discussions. She received a B.A. from Binghamton University, an M.A. from UMASS Amherst, and holds a PhD in the history of architecture from Columbia University.

Catherine is proud to be a multi-generational Mainer who has worked hard to remain in the state that she loves. Her involvement with Community Heart & Soul began when she served as the project coordinator for the Mahoousc Heart & Soul project in Western Maine (2016 – 2019). In 2020 she started Coaching several Maine communities and is a Level 2 Certified Coach. She founded CEI Consultants LLC, to focus on rural community building in Maine. Cat has an MLS in Environmental Law and Policy from the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law, a Bachelor of Arts in Planning and Policy from the University of Maine Farmington, a certification in Nonprofit Management, and was a member of the 3rd Cohort of the Community Practitioner’s Network with the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. She and her family live on a hobby farm in Northern Maine.

Jane Lafleur retired from Community Heart & Soul as Director of Market Development in January 2023 and continues to Coach communities upon request. She is the owner of Jane Lafleur Consultants and a Community Heart & Soul Coach working with small cities and towns across the US. Jane Lafleur Consultants provides community development, planning, citizen engagement and civic leadership training and educational programs throughout Maine and the US. Her work includes community facilitation, town planning, walkability and place-making training and audits. Before her work on staff with Community Heart & Soul, she served for 13 years as the Executive Director of Friends of Midcoast Maine, a regional smart growth organization. Lafleur was named Professional Planner of the Year by the Maine Association of Planners and the Northern New England Chapter of APA. She graduated from the University of Maine and holds a master’s degree in City and Regional Planning from Harvard University.

Steve Mason is the Vice President and COO of Northeast Kingdom Tamarack, Inc. and its subsidiary /d/b/a/ NEKTI Consulting. In that capacity, Steve provides an extensive background of executive and special project leadership, community & business development, and human resource management; he brings research, writing skills and technical support to a variety of projects. Steve has over 30 years experience in international relations, special education, legal research, non-profit management, sports training and management, human resources, corporate communications and development and non-profit governance. Currently he works closely with a broad range of business and community leaders in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont and beyond.

As a volunteer, Steve shares his expertise and skills as a board member with a select group of local and state-wide organizations that include Orleans County Restorative Justice and a Trustee of the Goodrich Memorial Library in Newport, VT. He also serves as Chair of the School Board for the Lowell Graded School (15 years), and is the chair of the North Country Union Supervisory School (6 years). Steve is also the Chair of the Board at PSI Family Services, Inc. in Washington, DC where he worked for 16 years. After spending 10 years working for Special Olympics in Washington, DC.

Steve received his Bachelor’s degree from St. Michael’s College where he majored in political science and minored in English. He received his Master’s degree and completed his doctoral coursework in International Relations at The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC.

Steve’s career has been full of change and is best described as eclectic; it is a combination of experience in higher education, research, sports management, entrepreneurship, and advocacy. He remains through it all primarily a student of human nature. In 2004 he returned to his beloved Northeast Kingdom of Vermont after 30 years in Washington, DC to be close to his father and the woods, fields and streams of his youth.

Ian enjoys working within his community as a soccer coach and serves as President of the township youth soccer association. He is the past chair of the Parent/Community Advisory Board of his local Family Success Center and is currently a member of the Winslow Board of Education Citizens Advisory Committee.

His background is in higher education student support and administration in the United Kingdom, but since moving to New Jersey he has moved into information technology and website development. This has developed a wide range of people focused skills, complemented by technical knowledge, that have proved useful when assisting community led projects. When not coaching or playing soccer Ian enjoys finding other reasons to be outside.

Julie started community building through the arts 25+ years ago as the Director of Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts, providing communities with a voice and building cross-cultural collaboration and inclusion.

She brings extensive cross-sector fundraising experience as Director of Development for LI Children’s Museum (interactive learning) to Executive Director of Blue Ocean Institute (marine conservation). She has also worked in healthcare and raised $14M for Hadassah’s innovative medical research and patient care.

Julie is currently a Development Director at NYU Tandon School of Engineering (NYC). She lives in Long Island, is a jazz and world music fan, a political activist and community organizer, and is the mother of two recent Cornell graduates.

After graduating from the University of Colorado with a degree in journalism she began a long career as a reporter with newspapers in Boulder, Colorado and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She then transitioned to a full-time freelance writer, becoming a top contributor to the official website of the U.S. Olympics and Paralympics and author of seven children’s sports books. Sharing news of the humanities in action is now central to her work both as a communications specialist with C.C. Mellor Memorial Library and a content writer and storyteller with PA Humanities.

Karen currently serves on the advisory board of the Swim Up Hill Foundation, founded by Paralympic swimmer Jamal Hill to teach children and adults in low- and middle-income communities how to swim. She lives in Pittsburgh with her husband and three cats, and loves music, reading, traveling and the outdoors.

Nurturing relationships into partnerships to advance change, is what NEKTI Consulting does. Steve Mason, also a Community Heart & Soul certified coach, is a co-owner of NEKTI Consulting. Are you looking for trusted advisors with tested leadership and coalition-building skills? You will appreciate their track record of working in challenging environments and bringing diverse groups and cultures together in project development. NEKTI Consulting brings a bridge to what’s possible – putting tomorrow’s leaders into the world today and providing long-term strategic advice as well as discrete, short-term projects to meet immediate needs. Being unconstrained by administrative complexity and energized by assisting communities who are working toward consequential goals is their hallmark. NEKTI Consulting’s value-added proposition includes connections to resources with a forté in problem-solving. Having earned considerable experience by forming strategic partnerships to leverage funding and other resources for the benefit of the community, they are well-positioned to accent the positive. For further information about individual experience, certifications, testimonials, and accomplishments please check their LinkedIn profiles.

After a successful career in sales and customer service, my attention turned to speaking as an advocate for Peace, then being nominated for the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize by the International Artists and Writers Association. In 1980, I co-founded and was the first President of the Society for Poets of Southern NJ and have written 20 books and received numerous awards and honors. As an activist for the environment, I am chair of a Tri-County Sustainability committee having 15 Mentors assisting 20 towns to become certified by Sustainable Jersey. In my new hometown of Runnemede, I am active on the Green Team and Reimagine Runnemede, an arts groups that is dedicated to involving arts in our Town. As project coordinator, with 20 volunteers, I recently completed a Labyrinth in our park with a magnificent multicolored 12’ circular Gateway. My goals for Heart and Soul is to bring various groups together that have never worked with each other and bind communities together to do things that have never been done before.

Alice is a Penn State University graduate and a registered landscape architect. She has worked in land development, recreation and rivers conservation planning, and now provides technical assistance to river towns for re-visioning their relationship with the river through the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership (SGP). She is the project director for Heart of Williamsport– a Heart and Soul project collaboration with SGP, the City of Williamsport, the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Orton Family Foundation and the Pennsylvania Humanities Council. She resides in Loyalsock Township (Pennsylvania) with her husband Rich, son Curtis, Gracie (dog) and Manny (cat). Alice enjoys assisting with Odyssey of the Mind, cooking, gardening, camping and hiking.

Liza has over 20 years of experience in the non-profit sector in Vermont, supporting families and communities in the conservation of land for farming, forestry, wildlife, and public recreation. Liza has a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies from Oberlin College, training in negotiation and mediation from Harvard Law School’s Program on Negotiation, and a Professional Certificate in Conflict Management from Champlain College and Northstar Group. Liza also works as a mediator with the Vermont Agricultural Mediation Program. As a volunteer for her own community, Liza is Chair of the Mad River Valley Recreation District, a three-town partnership focused on coordinating and increasing public access to recreation. Additionally, Liza serves on a restorative justice panel for the Montpelier Community Justice Center. Liza brings curiosity and respect for diverse perspectives and a deep interest in helping people connect to one another and the places they call home.

Ira Weissman is a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt with 45+ years of experience in project/program management, quality and training. He has 30+ years of experience in high-level volunteer positions. He has also been a volunteer coordinator for a non-profit agency. Ira combined his Lean Six Sigma knowledge and his passion for non-profits by writing the chapter “Operational Excellence in Non-Profits” for the book Driving Operation Excellence. Ira is a Level 2 Certified Heart & Soul Coach.

Ira’s background includes being: • The first college student board member of the Jewish Federation of Worcester, MA • The Curator-Director of the Air Victory Museum • A member of the Tuskegee Airmen’s strategic planning committee • A board member of the Non-Profit Development Center of Southern NJ (NPDCSNJ) • A member of the Diocese of Camden’s Community Relations Advisory Board • Co-Founder/Chairperson of the Camden Youth Aviation Program (CYAP) dba South Jersey Youth Aviation Program (SJYAP).

Ira and CYAP were recognized along with the NJ Civil Air Patrol (CAP) and Camden City’s Department of Human Resources for the 2018 Best Non-Profit Collaboration by the NPDCSNJ for forming the Camden Cadet Squadron of CAP. Ira and CYAP also worked with the FAA and Hopeworks-N’-Camden to create Hopeworks’ drone training program.

Ira’s firm Idea Innovations, LLC helps businesses, government agencies and non-profits become more effective, efficient and successful.

Carrie Barnes serves as a Community & Leadership Development Senior Strategist with Georgia Electric Membership Corporation (Georgia EMC), which is the statewide trade association representing Georgia’s 41 electric membership cooperatives (Co-ops). Carrie is an experienced facilitator, a Gallup-Certified CliftonStrengths® coach, a Strategic Doing Practitioner, and a certified Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP). She specializes in community and organizational planning. Prior to joining Georgia EMC in 2014, Carrie gained extensive community and economic development experience with the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Office of Downtown Development, and the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). Carrie lives in Cartersville, Georgia, with her husband Alan and their two daughters.

As a State Vocational Counselor/Consultant, Bonnie is a career coach expert with over 10 years of experience in helping persons with unique abilities obtain, maintain, regain integrated employment. Prior to this, Bonnie worked in Hospital Administration for over 20 years at the University of Florida Health, recruiting faculty, medical school graduates, and residents/interns. She then gained her master’s degree in Instructional Leadership and gravitated to the Department of Corrections as a facilitator for General Education Classes, Substance Misuse, and Cognitive Behavior courses. With a passion for storytelling, Bonnie excels in creating content that engages and inspires which led her to create and start the historical society and tours for “The Good Life Community” (hometown). In her free time, Bonnie enjoys swimming, hiking, Springs Restoration activities, being a docent at local museums, and volunteering at the local animal shelter.

Cecile Carson has 30 years of experience in community improvement volunteer and project management, including municipal government level supervision of economic development, planning, and code enforcement divisions and director at local, state, national nonprofits. As a consultant, Cecile guides nonprofits and government entities in developing innovative programs and conducting research relating to zero waste, litter, recycling, and community engagement. In addition, she is a skilled and engaging trainer and presenter at hundreds of local, national, and international conferences. Cecile received a doctorate in Learning and Organizational Change at Baylor University, focusing on litter and blight issues in rural America. Cecile established Keep Denton Beautiful, served as the Affiliate Director for Keep Texas Beautiful, and Vice President of Litter and Affiliate Relations for Keep America Beautiful. While at Keep America Beautiful, she guided the formation of over 100 affiliates, created the National Youth Advisory Council, and directed the “Charting the Multiple Meaning of Blight” literature review. She earned the President’s Lifetime Volunteer Service Award and currently serves as the North Central Texas Council of Governments – Resource Conservation Commission Vice-Chair and California Resource Conservation K-12 Technical Committee.

Ramona is a Capacity Development Specialist in the Office of Policy and Strategic Development at VA Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). Before coming to DHCD she was a Management Analyst with the Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority (CRHA). She is a native of Charlottesville, VA. Ramona has served on nonprofit boards, is a member of the Virginia Parliamentarian Association and loves agriculture. She enjoys volunteering with several urban gardens in the Charlottesville and Richmond, VA areas. Mona holds a Master of Science in Health Administration and minor in Higher Education Administration.

Beverley Coleman is a graduate of Virginia State University with a degree in Business Administration. She started her career in her hometown of Roanoke, Virginia. For over 8 years she served as a Business Development Specialist with the Roanoke Valley Business League. The program was created with funding from the Department of Commerce Office of Minority Business Enterprise (OMBE). The program was started to provide small and minority owners and potential owners with business loans from banks and the Small Business Administration. In 1984, Beverley moved to Petersburg, Virginia to work with the City of Petersburg assisting small businesses as well as serving as the Co-Main Street Manager, the Enterprise Zone Administrator, assisting the non-profit organizations and directing special projects. Since being in the Petersburg area, she has worked for county and state governments. Beverley recently worked with a friend to start Main Street Petersburg, Inc., a not-for- profit organization that plans to seek state designation as an official Main Street Community. She serves on many boards and volunteers at the Historic Farmers Bank as a docent.

Cynthia Curtis joined Arras Foundation in January 2018 as a Community Investment Officer to support partners in Lancaster and Chester counties address their health and wellness development challenges, revitalize their towns and communities, and strengthen their organizations. In July 2018 she began serving as the Heart & Soul Coach in Kershaw, SC. Her life and work experience in the development field includes 21 years in El Salvador working with international cooperation for development in the Central American region around local and economic development, equity, youth and women’s participation. In 2008, she facilitated the establishment of the Global Platform in El Salvador, a learning platform for international and local youth grassroots organizations and development practitioners that provides training for intercultural cooperation for social transformation. In 2013, she relocated to Chester, SC, where she worked with the City of Chester as Grants & Community Development Coordinator and as Development Coordinator with the Chester Downtown Development Association. She is currently studying Anthropology and Native American Studies at the University of South Carolina Lancaster. Cynthia is accompanied by her human, canine and feline family in Lancaster.

Holly Furr works for the Lancaster County (SC) Sheriff’s Office serving as Project Coordinator of a federal grant dealing with the local opioid crisis. Holly is an elder at First Presbyterian Church in Lancaster. She is currently chair of the Lancaster County Community Foundation. She is Past-President for the Lancaster Breakfast Rotary Club. She has been trained and participated as a small group leader for Montreat Youth Conferences. She is a past trainer for the FAST (Families and Schools Together) program. Holly has spent over 20 years working in the not-for-profit arena. She is a 2012 Hull Fellow with the Southeastern Council of Foundations. Holly is past chair of the South Carolina Grantmakers Network, a state-wide organization of foundations and philanthropic organizations. She has a certificate in Nonprofit Management from Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC. A native of Lancaster, Holly holds a BA degree in Psychology from Columbia College in Columbia, SC.

Ann Glave is the Existing Business and Project Manager for Hanover County, VA Economic Development Office. Ann’s career path has taken her into many directions which gives her insight on working with a variety of partners and stakeholders and the impact of economic development and placemaking for communities. She was the executive director for Fredericksburg Main Street Inc. for 8 years involved with grants, and numerous projects that had a high impact on the Downtown. Prior to that role, she was the executive director for the Montpelier Center for Arts & Education. Ann’s experiences include a realtor in Massachusetts and a successful entrepreneur in the retail world.

She holds an MBA from Virginia Commonwealth University in Business Administration. Her undergraduate degree is a Bachelor of Science in Business with a marketing major from Virginia Tech and she has completed two nonprofit certificates from the University of Richmond.

Susan Berry Hill is a retired community planner most recently serving as the Director of Planning and Zoning for the Town of Leesburg, Virginia. Her planning career spanned over forty years and included communities in Texas, Kansas, and Virginia. She is passionate about all aspects of community development ranging from land use planning and zoning, redevelopment and revitalization, long-range comprehensive planning and supporting economic development. The best parts of her career involved projects that included community engagement and interaction with residents and businesses. Susan grew up in Iowa and received her bachelor’s degree in political science and master’s degree in planning and zoning from the University of Iowa. Since retirement she has started volunteering with a local organization developing a food cooperative and spends time gardening, traveling, reading, cooking, and being with family and friends. She has two grown children who reside in the Washington DC metro area and she resides in rural Loudoun County, Virginia with her husband and canine buddy, Charlie.

Douglas Jackson provides facilitation, technical assistance, and strategic support to community partners of the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). Doug served as an officer in the US Navy and holds degrees from Duke (economics); UC Irvine (urban and regional planning); and Hollins (creative writing). During an 11-year stint on the Roanoke Arts Commission, he co-chaired the development of Roanoke’s Arts and Cultural element of the comprehensive plan. A self-proclaimed book nerd, he’s now exploring the Roanoke Valley’s literary scene through the strategic blog BOOK CITY Roanoke.

Beverly has spent a lifetime in service to our nation and the communities she has lived. Even while serving around the world in the Air Force, primarily as a public affairs officer, she was active in numerous community nonprofits working to achieve better schools, assist families with special needs children, and to help community leaders navigate international issues and solutions. Returning to her rural hometown of Tullahoma, Tennessee, home of Arnold Air Force Base, she is a member of the area economic development board, military affairs council, workforce development efforts, numerous aerospace heritage and recruitment initiatives, and assists city leaders in telling their story. Serving as the executive director for the Hands-On Science Center, she championed many STEM programs throughout Middle Tennessee. Passionate about communities embracing their heart and soul, she received recognition as Citizen of the Year from both Tullahoma, TN and Laguna Niguel, CA. Beverly has a wide range of people-centered skills and technical knowledge as a Project Management Professional (PMP). She received her Master of Arts degree in Psychology, Counseling and Guidance from the University of Northern Colorado. When not working on an exciting project, she is either trying to finish writing a book, hiking, or traveling.

Holly Larson Lesko is the Program Director for the Public Health & Business Continuity Team at the New River Valley Regional Commission. This work is focused on supporting community wellbeing with public and private entities across the region through education, health and wellness guidance, resource seeking, and collaboration. Her past research focus on rural and vulnerable community development through health, art, and collaborative narrative praxis influences her current engagement and practice. She has worked to address policy needs in community at the local level and to seek partners at the state and federal level to address the needs of her home community in central Appalachia. She supports work throughout Virginia and the U.S. with storytelling, collaborative facilitation, and grant seeking. Ms. Lesko has worked with communities and organizations in the New River Valley region and across the Commonwealth for the past 32 years and her focus in community development is on creating spaces and processes to enhance new ways of viewing and approaching issues and concepts through inclusive and diverse engagement.

Jim and his wife, Sandra C. Manning, Ph.D., live in the City of Forest Acres, a small town of just over 10,000 residents located in the Midlands area of South Carolina. Jim retired after his first career as a social worker and administrator in S.C. state government. He then worked full-time with a non-profit public health organization for more than 10 years. Now in his third career, he is an enterpriser who created an eclectic consulting business, Gray Hair Solutions LLC, where he offers conundrum alleviation. Jim has been an Adjunct College Professor for nearly three decades and was elected for three terms to the Richland County Council, from which he stepped aside in 2020. In late 2017, Jim connected as a Coach with Community Heart & Soul. Utilizing his master’s degrees in Public Administration and Social Work and decades of multifaceted professional and personal experiences, Jim dynamically approaches every opportunity with passion and eagerness. Jim also does historic preservation through adaptive reuse and is a Main Street Director, along with statewide advocacy for anti-human trafficking initiatives. Finally, he creates personal well-being by long-distance running, humoring their Cockapoo puppy (Gigi Camaro), attending his church, sightseeing, and pondering.

Kit has worked with many rural communities and rapidly growing towns in Appalachia, New England and others across the country. She believes that small businesses, entrepreneurs and nonprofits have great potential to improve community wellbeing in partnership with funders and local governments. Her skills in asset-based community development, fundraising, evaluation, and project management apply across many socio-economic opportunity areas. A seasoned facilitator, coach and trainer, she has worked with teams and communities within federal and state government, nonprofit, corporate R&D, and philanthropic sectors. These include Appalachia Funders Network, St. David’s Foundation, SCORE (Small Business Association), The Nature Conservancy, New Mexico Museum of Natural History, and Blackbaud (software). Her federal service encompasses heading a national grant-making agency, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and serving on the National Council on the Humanities. She earned a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania (ecology) and an MBA from the University of Minnesota.

Kyle is a market-driven and client-focused urban planner with over 10 years of experience in project management, community development, and commercial revitalization. He enjoys leading responsible and energetic planning teams and working with community allies to catalyze downtown revitalization. Currently, he manages Virginia Main Street (VMS), a program of advanced, asset-based, commercial district economic development housed in the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. Through VMS he provides downtown and neighborhood commercial revitalization technical assistance and resources to designated Virginia Main Street communities and affiliates, CDBG grantees and to any other organizations, city, town or county governments across the state. He received his undergraduate degree from James Madison University and his graduate degree in urban and regional planning from Virginia Commonwealth University. Kyle grew up in the Richmond region, has an avid taste for music and art, and enjoys outdoor, recreational pursuits and adventure travel.

Suzan has worked in the non-profit arena for 45 years and has worn many different hats. Some of the hats include Volunteer Family Coordinator for a local Habitat for Humanity, Home-Based Therapist for a psychiatric hospital, and social worker for a Head Start program. Suzan is a “force to be reckoned with” and uses her positive attitude and tireless energy to encourage others to work hard and succeed. She holds two degrees, Associate of Applied Science in Drug and Alcohol Counseling and a Bachelor of Arts in Behavioral Science. She has many hours toward a Masters in Psychology but life guided her in a different direction. Upon retiring she started a small business that includes selling vintage items, writing books, and teaching courses. She volunteers in her local community in many ways, as a board member of a non-profit, member of the beautification committee, OSU Master Gardener, and owner of a Little Library in the community garden. Suzan enjoys cooking, canning, gardening, family time, music events, thrift store shopping, and reading. She and her husband live in rural Oklahoma with their dogs and 7 “barn” cats. Her husband was in the Air Force for 28 years. They have one son, three daughters, eight granddaughters, one grandson, and one great-granddaughter (so far). Family is important!

Judy is a change manager who draws on years in the community development field, working inside nonprofits that execute significant revitalization projects and offer programs for the advancement and inclusion of multiple populations. She transfers career experience in Human Services, including housing preservation and homelessness prevention; workforce development; and children, youth, and families programming. She has also worked in the fields of arts, cultural resources, and entertainment, as well as tourism and hospitality.

Today her emphasis is on capacity building and sustainability for organizations who partner with other agencies, NGOs, for-profit entities, and local governments in the areas of community development, physical and economic revitalization, historic business district development, and cultural preservation. Services: Judy offers planning and tactical execution support for nonprofit organizations who are advancing community renewal, placemaking, community engagement, and preservation, thus helping organizations achieve bigger impacts and swifter results by aligning action plans with organizational objectives.

As a Johns Hopkins Fellow in Change Management, she applies the principles of Organization Development during times of transition and local transformation. As a certified Community Heart & Soul Coach she uses various approaches to facilitation, including the Appreciative Inquiry method.

“Change efforts are substantially enhanced with community-building models of inclusion, empowerment, and grassroots participation that help groups build future leadership. These methods are well suited to meet the vast challenges and opportunities of this new transformational, people-centric era.”

Araina Reaves serves as a Community & Leadership Development Senior Strategist with Georgia Electric Membership Corporation (Georgia EMC), which is the statewide trade association representing Georgia’s 41 electric membership cooperatives (Co-ops). Araina is a dynamic facilitator, a Gallup-Certified CliftonStrengths® coach, a Strategic Doing Practitioner, and is certified by the Community Development Council as a Professional Community and Economic Developer (PCED). She specializes in coaching and leadership development. Prior to joining Georgia EMC in 2016, she gained extensive leadership, community, and economic development experience as a chamber of commerce director and director of tourism. Araina lives in Dublin, Georgia, with her husband Michael and their two “who rescued who?” pups.

Jenny serves as Manager of Community Development with Georgia Electric Membership Corporation, which is the statewide trade association for Georgia’s 41 electric membership cooperatives (co-ops). Robbins is an experienced facilitator who specializes in helping communities successfully prepare to grow their local economies through leadership development and strategic planning. Robbins has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Communications from Valdosta State University. She gained local experience as a Main Street Manager for the City of Homerville and with the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension as a Family and Consumer Science Agent and an Energy Educator. Robbins is a current member of the Georgia Economic Developers Association, the Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, Georgia Downtown Association, and the National Rural Economic Developers Association. She and her husband Len reside in Homerville, Georgia (population 2,450) with their three children, two cats, and one dog.

Caleb is a Certified Community Heart & Soul Coach and a full-time student pursuing his master’s degree in Social Work at Western Carolina University. He works part-time as the office manager for Next Step Recovery, a non-profit sober living facility for men. Before returning to school, Caleb worked and volunteered in numerous community-service oriented spaces, from food pantries to community summer camps. These experiences included several years working at a non-profit work camp facilitating volunteer groups in completing crisis housing repairs, and in leadership at a residential treatment center. Caleb enjoys spending time with his wife Madison and dog Oliver hiking, paddle-boarding, attending events in his community, and traveling.

Hillary works as a grant writer, fundraiser, and volunteer coordinator for a nonprofit childcare center in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, where she lives. In addition to working in childcare, Hillary’s background includes serving as an AmeriCorps Team Coordinator working with at-risk teenagers in the Rocky Mountain Youth Corps. Hillary plays an active role in and strives to enrich her community in a number of ways including with her board and volunteer service. She has served on the boards of United Way of Routt County and First Impressions of Routt County, her local Early Childhood Council. She has also held elected positions on the North Routt Community Charter School Board and Colorado Association for the Education of Young Children. Hillary meets community members every Saturday at the local farmers’ market where she and her husband are vendors selling the wellness goji berry tea they make and package along with representing several other locally made products. Hillary received her Community Heart & Soul Coach Certification working with the town of Grand Lake, Colorado. Living, working, and volunteering in Steamboat Springs for three decades has given Hillary an informed perspective of the challenges and rewards associated with growth and the tourism industry. Hillary loves travel, cooking, mountain recreation, coaching CrossFit, and spending time with her husband Paul and coonhound Della Mae.

Jennifer has worked for Montana State University Extension Service for over twenty-six years, first as a County Extension Agent and most recently as a Community Vitality Associate Specialist. Jennifer received a master’s degree in community development from Iowa State University and is passionate about helping rural communities maximize their potential for sustainability and vibrancy. She helped launch the MSU Extension Reimagining Rural Project, was a community coach for the Horizons Project, has led various educational programs, and has held leadership roles at the local, regional, and state levels. As a fifth-generation Montanan, Jennifer recognizes the importance of Montana’s rural communities and is committed to helping small towns thrive.

Brent Baker is the founder of Elevate Now Consulting LLC and Executive Director of the Pend Oreille Economic Partnership. After 40 years of entrepreneurship, he retired to a swan song career as a consultant, executive coach, educator, and nonprofit leader.

Having worked his way through college as a union carpenter, he graduated from Sonoma State University in 1975 with a degree in psychology. In 1991 Brent and his wife Laura founded Baker Construction & Development in Sandpoint, Idaho. In 2004 he moved on to do ski resort development in British Columbia. In 2015 he retired and began consulting and coaching, and in 2020 he founded ENC. Brent has consulted and coached well over a hundred companies and has been a tireless business, executive and organizational coach and educator for many hundreds of aspiring managers, students, and entrepreneurs.

Brent and his wife Laura live on a small ranch in North Idaho where they raised their four now-grown daughters, and where they continue to instill work ethic and appreciation of the natural world to their six grandchildren whenever they visit. When not in Idaho, they will likely be found working and exploring from their retreat in the Southwest of France.

Matt is Director of Research and Community Impact at Innovia Foundation. A longtime Eastern Washington resident, Matt brings a wealth of experience in working collaboratively to identify evidence-based solutions and apply them to large-scale issues that impact wellbeing. Prior to joining the Innovia team, Matt spent 19 years as a faculty member and leader in the Department of Human Development at Washington State University (WSU). He also served on the graduate faculty of WSU’s interdisciplinary Prevention Science doctoral program. At WSU, his most recent research efforts focused on the development and evaluation of programs to support students and their families across the transition to post-secondary education.

Matt holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology and Elementary Education from Whitworth University and a Ph.D. from Penn State University in Human Development and Family Studies. Away from work, he enjoys spending time with his wife Amy, exploring all that the Inland Northwest has to offer.

DiAnn, Grand County Economic Development Director, is engaged in leading many diverse community and economic development county efforts ranging from identifying an economic resilience and diversification strategy to working with our towns on their creative economy, downtown assessments, business and customer-centric culture development (using The Disney Way Principles) and young entrepreneurship programs. She is currently working with Grand Lake Heart & Soul.

Born and raised in Maryland, Dig completed a B.A. in Rhetorical Studies from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI and spent a decade living abroad in England and France. An avid outdoor enthusiast, she spent 8 years as the marketing manager for Schweitzer Mountain Resort in Sandpoint, ID prior to her current role as a Rural Engagement Officer for Innovia Foundation in Spokane, WA. She’s the proud mother of four “almost” adult children, is actively involved with the Sandpoint Nordic Club, and serves as a coach for the Sandpoint High School Girls Lacrosse team. Her passions include all things outdoors, reading multiple books at the same time, and trail running. When not at home in North Idaho, you can find Dig traveling to warmer climates to scuba dive, snorkel, and thrash about in the sea as she attempts to master the wing foil.

Carrie Coan is the forward-thinking Executive Director of the West Yellowstone Foundation, dedicated to enriching the community through diverse programs. Leading with a strong commitment to growth, she enhances the lives of residents and visitors alike. In her role, Carrie oversees a wide array of impactful initiatives that touch every aspect of community life, from Public Transportation to Postsecondary Education Scholarships, Community Grants, Fiscal Sponsorships, Endowments, Housing Coalition Facilitation, High School Career Fairs, and Fundraising.

Carrie’s leadership extends beyond her role, actively engaging in community activities, advisory boards, and collaborations. Her passion for resilience and community shines through her dedication to a brighter future for all residents.

With a focus on assisting rural communities, Carrie collaborates to overcome obstacles and unlock opportunities. Originally from Minnesota, she now resides in West Yellowstone where she enjoys exploring the outdoors through hiking, canoeing, camping, biking, and skiing.

Taylor joined the Montana Community Foundation in August 2022 as the Program Officer for Local Community Foundations. In this role, she helps local community foundations build their endowments, conduct strategic grantmaking, and address their community’s needs now and in the future. Taylor has a Bachelor of Arts in Geography from Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY. She previously worked as a Program Specialist – Community Development for the Montana Department of Commerce, where she helped small towns across the state navigate their revitalization through the Montana Main Street, Montana Historic Preservation Grant, and Community Development Block Grant Programs. Although she grew up on the South Side of Chicago, she moved to Montana to serve as an AmeriCorps VISTA and ever since then has been hooked on “The Last Best Place.”

Gabriel Cruden is all about building and supporting healthy and vibrant communities. With a background in communications, economic and community development, education, grant writing and review, and nonprofit leadership, Gabriel is passionate about making connections and providing tools and resources to enable community members to feel empowered and equipped to make a positive difference in their community.

He currently owns and operates a media company he founded in northeastern Washington, has invested in commercial and residential real estate in his area to provide space for small businesses and housing for local residents, conducts nonprofit trainings on behalf of the Nonprofit Association of Washington, and serves as a part-time community engagement manager for the Innovia Foundation. Gabriel has lived in rural communities for most of his life and seeks to nurture relationships with both the people and the place where he lives. He currently resides outside Kettle Falls, WA, with his family on a small farm by the Columbia River.

Scott is the Associate Director of Grants at Innovia Foundation. Scott is a passionate leader who thrives on mobilizing others to engage their communities to make positive tangible change. He has spent the past 15 years as a leader in both higher education and as a community advocate building bridges between community leaders to cultivate initiatives that support making vibrant communities. Throughout his career, the for-profit and nonprofit organizations he developed in the Pacific Northwest resulted in receiving the 2020 Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement Recognition.

Scott graduated with his undergraduate degree from Warner Pacific University and his master’s degree from Portland State University. He holds an Ed.D. from Concordia University Portland in Educational Leadership and Policy.

Additionally, Scott has been married to his beautiful wife for 15 years and has two wonderful children. He loves spending time with his family outdoors going kayaking, and cycling, and has a strong passion for coffee and conversations.

Elisa is the Program Director for the Montana Community Foundation. As the Program Director, Elisa oversees all the Montana Community Foundation’s community programs and works to increase rural community vitality through grantmaking, capacity building, networking, and supporting community projects. Elisa leads Montana Community Foundations community projects including Reimagining Rural and the Foundation’s Disaster Recovery program. She works to develop, maintain, and steward community partnerships to increase the Foundation’s impact across the state and help communities prosper.

Bill is a community development consultant for over 30 years, dedicated to supporting public and private non-profit organizations and tribes in the development and management of healthy, compassionate organizations and communities. His work is rooted in engaging people in transformative community development programs, plans, and processes. Primary elements of his practice include facilitation and planning, with special attention to methods of effective listening to key stakeholders and community members; outreach and equity, with particular expertise working with under-served people and communities (including rural); community cultural development, identifying, supporting, mobilizing local culture; research, assessment, evaluation, specifically toward the goal of continual organizational improvement; program development, management, resource development. Bill is a dedicated listener, organizer, and facilitator. He holds a Master of Science degree in Community Systems Planning and Development from Pennsylvania State University and taught from 2007-2018 for the University of Oregon. He is a recipient of a Fulbright Senior Specialist award which enabled him to research and teach in Germany for the Cultural Management Program at the Potsdam Fachhochschule — an applied sciences university in Potsdam, Germany.

Christine has been involved in the nonprofit industry for over 14 years and is the Leadership Services Business Manager for Rural Development Initiatives (RDI). Prior to RDI she served as the Executive Director of the Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre for 11 years. During her tenure Christine led the Kenworthy through transformative years growing it from a fledgling nonprofit to a professional community-centric arts organization. She has a deep passion for making change and elevating communities through grass roots organizations.

Currently she serves as the Chair of the Moscow Arts Commission, Moscow Contemporary, and as the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Advisor for Kappa Alpha Theta. Additionally, she serves on the Latah County Community Foundation, the Moscow Chamber of Commerce Marketing Committee, and the Alternative Giving Market of the Palouse. Christine is a proud graduate of the University of Idaho earning two degrees in Music Business and Music Performance. She is a Certified Change Leader through the Idaho Commission on the Arts, a graduate of RDI’s Rural Community Leadership Program, and an accomplished cellist.

Christine lives in beautiful Moscow, Idaho with her husband and two sons. Her passion for change and growth is fueled by her children. Being a mother has taught her to be a better communicator, leader, and collaborator. During her “downtime” she enjoys baking, camping, exploring nature, telling stories, and proving that magic does exist.

Alexis comes to coaching after seven years on staff as a senior trainer at Community Heart & Soul. During this time, she trained and mentored coaches and communities in South Carolina, New Jersey, Colorado, Montana, Texas, Oklahoma, and Michigan in the Heart & Soul model. Alexis also served as a Heart & Soul Champion, and as project coordinator in her own community of the North Fork Valley, Colorado from 2012-2014. Alexis is finishing her master’s degree in Community and Economic Development at Pennsylvania State University where she is learning how Heart & Soul methods and processes fit into our country’s rich legacy of community development. Her work is also informed by her undergraduate degree in natural resource management from the University of Michigan, and prior experiences as a project manager, where she led projects in renewable energy policy and adoption, watershed management, and non-profit publishing. Alexis is a skilled facilitator and is passionate about working with communities, municipalities, and foundations on public engagement strategies and techniques, participatory evaluation (including measuring outcomes of community development), community driven economic development, impact investing, and local climate change adaptation/ long-term community resilience. She currently lives in Denver, CO with her husband, Matthew, two cats (Magic and Percy), and their awesome vegetable garden, which is their pride and joy.

Allison Jermain is experienced in coordinating and implementing grant-funded projects in non-profit and research settings. She is also a skilled writer, editor, and translator who has helped many researchers publish their work in academic and scientific journals. Some of her interests include documentary storytelling, reading, and nature. Allison currently resides in the beautiful Sonoran Desert of Tucson, Arizona, and is looking forward to helping implement the Heart & Soul model in the Southwest.

A native of Indiana or most of her life, Linda moved to Wyoming in 2015 for a western adventure and to manage the state’s Main Street program. Her career path started with volunteering in her hometown of Logansport. She served on the county’s Historical Society Board before becoming chairman of the Cass County Carousel Board of Directors and led the organization through a complete restoration of the 1900’s Dentzel Carousel and building project. She also served on the Indiana Landmarks Board of Directors and was Statewide Project Review Chairman for several years. Linda’s background is comprehensive. She was a business owner for 16 years; served on the City Council for two terms; served as Deputy Mayor for two terms; worked for the County Commissioners and the State of Indiana; appointed to the city’s plan commission for 14 years; and also, was the first Main Street manager for Logan’s Landing, a 501c3 nonprofit agency. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from Indiana Wesleyan University; is a Main Street America Revitalization Professional and has an Event/Meeting Management Certification from Indiana University/Purdue University, Indianapolis. Linda has been married to David for 49 years and currently lives in Cheyenne, Wyoming. They have two sons and five grandchildren in Indiana and Mississippi.

Allison (she/her/ella) is an independent consultant whose values and lived experience guide her approach: listening to the community, being responsive and flexible, and maintaining a commitment to engaging all voices.

Before moving to Oregon, she lived in Michigan, focusing on program and leadership development in the Latinx community. She also served as the Program Director for Philanthropic Services at the Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University (GVSU), and taught at the undergraduate and graduate levels as an adjunct faculty member at GVSU. Allison’s consulting work spans several areas, including project management, guiding community visioning processes, community engagement and assessments, and supporting funders in strategic grantmaking analysis.

Allison is a Latina Associates for Collaborative Engagements (LACE) member and the co-founder of the Latina Network of West Michigan, a professional development organization led by and for Latina women. She was born in Lima, Peru, to Colombian parents and raised in the U.S. and overseas. In her free time, she loves enjoying the outdoors with her husband and two sons, cooking, and figuring out many trials and errors in her garden.

Allison is fluent in English and Spanish and has degrees in International Relations from Michigan State University and an MPA from Grand Valley State University. She also holds a certificate in Nonprofit Financial Management from Cornell University.

Tara Mastel is Associate Specialist and Program Lead for Community Development at Montana State University Extension where she works to support rural community vitality and local leaders. She served nearly ten years as a Community and Economic Development Extension Agent in Jefferson County Montana where she led a range of projects including historic building renovations, industrial park development, farmers markets, and local community foundations. Tara grew up in a rural Northeast Montana and has a Master’s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning.

Kate has a lifetime of leadership and learning experiences; there is always more to know. For 13 years she was President and CEO of the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce and led the Chamber’s Business Development and Tourism divisions. She was also the Director for the Leadership Sandpoint program.

She received her education from Boston College, Carroll School of Business in Corporate Social Responsibility, and participated on international leadership committees in developing programs for Corporate Citizenship initiatives across the nation. She built a nationally recognized corporate citizenship program and founded a unique internal Employee Foundation for the same corporation. Currently Kate is the owner of Special K’s Consulting and her niche is rural non-profits. Helping people put their passion into action is her favorite work. Her motto is Succeeding Together.

Kate believes in community and being involved. Living in Sandpoint for 32 years she has served, and is currently serving, on multiple local Boards and Commissions. She ran for various public offices and served on City Council for four years and as Council President. When she isn’t volunteering, you can find her enjoying the outdoors, acting in local theater productions, reading, and spending time with friends.

Jonelle McCoy works for the Washington State Main Street Program and brings a background in community revitalization, civic engagement, human rights and social justice, relationship building, and educational leadership to the coordinating team. In her role as Main Street Specialist, she focuses on capacity building and leadership development and serves as the first point of contact for towns and cities curious about the Main Street Approach working in their historic commercial core. Jonelle loves exploring new places and downtowns, hunting for the hidden gems that make those places rich with unique people, stories, and heritage. She is based in Walla Walla – the town so nice, they named it twice.

When Jonelle’s not downtown daydreaming about what could go in empty storefronts, you can find her hunting for huckleberries in the Blue Mountains, with her nose in a book, or looking at the latest kit-built plane at her hometown Experimental Aircraft Association hangar (Chapter 328).

Marci is a part of the Rural Economic Vitality team at Rural Development Initiatives, serving as a Senior Program Manager. She also loves teaching the Rural Civic Engagement Project workshop series for RDI and Sherwood Trust in the Walla Walla Valley. Growing up in rural NE Washington, near the Canadian border, she understands the landscape of rural challenges and the incredible talent, resilience, and innovative spirit of the people who choose to live there. She works closely with communities in Central & Eastern Washington, Northeastern Oregon, and North Idaho. Marci lives in Moscow, ID with her husband and daughter on their organic vegetable farm. While not working from home, she enjoys road trips looking for tasty bites and delectable drinks, volunteering for the county library board of trustees, and cross-stitching in the sunshine.

Sara Curiel Paez is an experienced bilingual and bicultural capacity building consultant. With a background in Participatory Leadership, Sara has over 10 years’ experience in leadership development, civic engagement, and facilitation & training. As a first-generation Mexican American woman, Sara deeply believes that all people have the same value and that leadership happens through reflection, listening and dialogue. Sara has worked throughout rural Oregon as a trainer and facilitator on a variety of topics including leadership development, equity, inclusion, and belonging as well as general organizational development. She is a certified MBTI trainer. She received a certificate for Nonprofit Board Consulting from Board Source and Nonprofit Financial Management from Cornell University.

Kirsten Peterson is a professional City Planner with 13 years of experience working in municipal government, and is currently serving as Community Development Director for Ellensburg, WA. Prior to that she worked for the City of Cortez, Colorado for nine years. She has overseen the creation of new Comprehensive Plans for each community, and has worked extensively on drafting code amendments to bring land use regulations into sync with identified community values. She is a successful grant writer, a trained facilitator, and enjoys both current and long range planning. While in Colorado she served four years as a member of a local food task force, and seven years as a board member of a non-profit housing organization. She has a B.A. in English, with graduate work in the field of political science and public policy. In her spare time, she loves reading novels from the likes of Austen and Bronte, or going on camping excursions with her husband and three children, Christian, McKenzie and Madeline.

Mandie Reed is the Montanan State University Extension Agent serving in Wheatland County, Montana, a position she has held since 2004. She delivers programs to meet the needs of the people in Wheatland County in four program areas: 4-H and Youth Development, Family and Consumer Science, Agriculture and Natural Resources, and Community Development. Mandie has also served on the statewide planning committee for Reimagining Rural and Big Sky, Big Leadership. She has offered the BSBL program in Wheatland County for 4 years. What Mandie loves most about her job is the opportunity to work with creative peers and to serve her community.

As a fifth-generation Coeur d’Alene, ID local, Kristi’s family legacy spans back to when steamboats ran on Lake Coeur d’Alene, her great great grandfather at the helm. Deep roots and strong ties to community have inspired a career of service and passion for ensuring kids and families have access to resources to help them lead healthy, productive lives.

With 25 years in leadership and fundraising roles with organizations in the youth substance abuse, outdoor ministry, health, and education realms, Kristi brings philanthropic and organizational development expertise to donors and nonprofits as the northern Idaho Regional Engagement Manager.

After two years studying child development at the University of Idaho and a move to Portland, OR, Kristi earned a degree in Child & Family Studies from Portland State University. In 2001 Kristi and husband Aaron moved home to Coeur d’Alene to raise their family.

Big sports fans, Kristi and Aaron spend most of their free time on a cross country course or soccer sidelines cheering for their four children who range in age from elementary school to college. When not on the road chasing athletes, you can find Kristi watching college basketball, hiking Tubbs Hill, playing in the river, snowboarding at Schweitzer, or cooking a big meal to feed anyone who will gather to enjoy it!

Jennifer Stapleton is a highly accomplished executive leader with over three decades of distinguished experience in the nonprofit, foundation, and government sectors. Throughout her career, Jennifer has been deeply committed to community development and operational excellence and has been a highly successful transformational leader,

Drawing upon her extensive expertise in operations, Jennifer has excelled in a multitude of roles, mastering crucial areas such as business strategy, project and contract management, policy development, budget oversight, mentoring leaders and team building. Her leadership is characterized by a proven ability to navigate complex challenges and foster collaboration among diverse stakeholders and organizations. Jennifer has also played a pivotal role in developing and implementing community outreach and transparency initiatives, prioritizing engagement, and inclusivity at every turn.

Jennifer is serving as a consultant to Innovia Foundation and leading the implementation of the Community Heart & Soul Program throughout its 20-county service area in Eastern Washington and North Idaho. Prior to taking on this opportunity, she served as the first city administrator for the city of Sandpoint, Idaho (a rural community of 10,000) for eight years.

Titus Tomlinson received his Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources Planning from Humboldt State University in 2005. He then dedicated himself to serving rural Oregon via the RARE (Resource Assistance for Rural Environments) AmeriCorps Program, spending a year with the City of Winston and a second year with the City of Creswell (sneaking in a Master of Community and Regional Planning degree from the University of Oregon in between). Not long after he became Program Coordinator for the RARE AmeriCorps Program, where he aided in recruitment, placement, training, and management. Fast forward to today, Titus has been the Program Director for 5 years. He leads an amazing team, fosters and builds relationships with an array of partners and communities, giving his all on a daily basis to make the RARE AmeriCorps Program the best it can be. In his free time, you can catch Titus mountain biking, sharing a beverage with RARE family and other friends, or hanging out with his pup Ginger!

Dr. Elizabeth (Liz) Wargo holds the position of Associate Professor at the University of Idaho in the College of Education, Health, and Human Services Educational Leadership division. She has a Doctorate in Education from the University of Montana, a Master’s in teaching from Whitworth University, and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Seattle University. The interrelated aspects of Dr. Wargo’s work embraces a service orientation as she works in partnership with education practitioners, other researchers, and key community stakeholder to design and enact novel solutions that can be sustained in rural context.

Drawing on a co-design approach, Liz mobilizes stakeholders to identify persistent problems of practice in their districts and communities. Together they learn about the root causes of these problems, enact action plans to implement, and study solutions. This outreach work builds the place-conscious adaptive leadership capacity to overcome many wicked challenges in differently resourced rural Idaho communities. The impact of her co-design approach, which leverages long-term collaborations with practitioners, is visible across several projects at the local, state, and national levels.