Testimonials
I’ve had the privilege now of working with hundreds of nonprofits, both through pro bono consultations and longer term engagements. I’m grateful and humbled by what some of my longer-term clients have had to say. And click here to discover what a free consultation might do for you!
The Executive Director Coaching I received from Gary has translated into life-long lessons and dramatically improved my leadership. He's helped me learn to think differently and more critically about the challenges and opportunities I face. My success as a nonprofit leader is thanks to his guidance and all that I've learned.
Lee Ann De Deus
Executive Director
Amplio Network
My experience working with Gary was truly a difference-maker in my first year on the job. Gary's range of competence and accessibility helped me transform major obstacles into manageable opportunities to excel. Our organization is in a significantly better place because I was able to talk to Gary once a week. I can't speak highly enough about the benefits of working with Gary.
Michael Brasher
Executive Director
Boys to Men - Tuscon
Gary was absolutely exceptional and EXACTLY what I needed! He guided me on leading our Board of Directors in my new role as Executive Director. He listened, provided great insight and feedback that I will take with me throughout my career. I wish he could coach me on a weekly basis! He was extraordinary! Thank you, Gary!
Brie Seward
Executive Director
Autism Society of Southern Arizona
It would be difficult for me to overstate how important working with Gary has been for our organization. He has a way of getting right to the heart of the issue and providing clarity on what seem like the most difficult of challenges. He has just the right background and strategic mind to be helpful. As a small non-profit, having someone who could meet us where we are was incredibly valuable. Gary provided solutions that actually made sense for what is possible for us. Most importantly, Gary is thoughtful, kind, and generous with his time. It's been a pleasure working with him, and I would recommend Gary highly to anyone in need of support in issues related to leadership and management.
Samip Mallick
Executive Director
South Asian American Digital Archive (SAADA)
Gary has great insights into how non-profit organizations can be better managed, better identify and address barriers to achieving their mission, and to build successful teams. He asks great questions, is a thoughtful and strong listener, and then often can help people substantially improve the way their organizations are run. I hold him in the very highest possible regard, and endorse him enthusiastically and without qualification.
Paul Bland
Executive Director
Public Justice
Our organization was facing tough decisions about our future. Gary provided ongoing coaching to me as well as advising to my board of directors. He helped me to step out of the weeds and think strategically about next steps for the organization. Executive leadership and staff management present both expected and unanticipated challenges. Gary's vast experience, deep knowledge of the non-profit sector, and empathy make him an ideal consultant and coach for leaders navigating transitions.
Shana Bartley
Executive Director
DC Action for Children
Gary came ready to share very useful insights and experiences. He's also very passionate about helping my mission.
Mendy Marsh
Executive Director
Voice
Gary‘s work was aligned with our needs from his initial proposal and statement of work to his fulfillment. The Board Assessment processes were thorough and the analysis and subsequent recommendations were clearly aligned with the findings. He included time to understand the Board culture, challenges, and opportunities while gaining the trust and participation of Board Members and the College Senior Leadership Team. His timely responses/feedback, emotional intelligence, knowledge, professionalism, respect for the college culture, etc. were all commendable.
Gloria J. Willingham-Toure’ PhD
Acting Chair, Board Of Trustees
Goddard College
Gary was an insightful, gentle, and direct coach. I found his feedback to be both challenging (in a wonderful way!) and appropriate to the situation. I will be recommending Gary to our entire organization for continued coaching. Anyone would be lucky to work with him!
Hannah Parish
Volunteer Program Manager
Solid Ground
Making the leap from front line staff to supervisor is exciting and terrifying. Gary’s coaching through a specially designed program that provided support for this transition continues to prove valuable. The accessible and clear training sessions on complex and unfamiliar management terms such as power, managing risk, and alignment provided a great introduction to concepts, and the personal one-on-one coaching sessions helped to operationalize terms that can feel abstract. I personally benefited from Gary’s approachable style in both the trainings and coaching sessions.
Virginia Fitchett
Assistant Director For Family Reunification
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service
Gary and I worked together at Children's Law Center during the recession. When other non-profits were struggling, we were planning for the long run. Gary's quiet and thoughtful leadership kept us laser focused on our goals, while helping us to stay nimble and creative in our approach. And the results were clear. The organization sustained unprecedented growth and expanded our vital services for children in foster care. I continue to rely on Gary's advice and friendship. He's part sage, part therapist, and always truth-seeker.
Joan Wood
Former Development Director
Children’s Law Center
I am a big fan of Gary. I have known him for decades and have worked closely with him. Gary is a potent combination of very intelligent and down-to-earth. He is strategic and practical about non-profit management. And he works very effectively with a variety of people including people many find difficult. Non-profits that seize the opportunity to collaborate with Gary are very fortunate. If only we could clone him!
Kristin Bradley-Bull
Principal
Roots to Canopy Consulting
Gary was FANTASTIC! I highly recommend him. He gives fantastic feedback and solutions to challenging management scenarios.
Jacob Toups
Executive Director
Merging Vets and Players
I have had the opportunity to work with Gary for over 3 years and came to know him as someone who is strategic, yet tactical, practical and responsive. He is a great problem solver and consistently able to assess challenges–plotting a course toward success. He works closely with leaders helping them see that Plan A may not always work, so he is always ready with Plan B and C.
Beyond his experience with building and growing strong leaders, he has moved organizations toward greater levels of success, while also embracing accountability. Along with Gary’s undeniable talent, he manages to foster provoking and beneficial discussions and helps bring out effective management skills in others.
Staci Coomer
Former VP of Development, Outreach and Communication
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service
Gary is fantastic! Smart, kind, patient, knowledgeable, big picture thinker. His experience is only matched by his big heart. I now have some really important concepts that I will put in place immediately. He's made an impact on my organization and the folks that I serve. Thank you, Gary.
Tonya Amos
Founder, Artistic & Executive Director
Grown Women Dance Collective
Gary’s management training saved my team. It taught me to take emotions and assumptions of intent out of the conversation, and instead focus on the goal—to treat conversations as an exploration. It helped me develop a space where my team can be up-front about both successes and failures—a space where we’re all working together toward the same goal.
Since the training, we have met or surpassed every goal we set for ourselves this year, even in an environment with countless internal and external challenges. Our HR team recently identified me as a “manager to emulate.”
None of this would have happened without Gary.
Danielle Bernard
Director of Communications
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service
Gary was wonderful. He not only provided clarity, he gave direction and sound advice. After speaking with him I feel much more hopeful.
Christine Linvill
Upper Darby Community Outreach Corporation
Gary sorted through some complex issues and quickly identifies some simple steps that will make a significant difference. I'm so grateful for the valuable insight and perspective Gary brought to our current situation.
John Henry
CEO
YWAM Ocean City, NJ
Gary never gets stuck in either/or thinking. He is a master at finding a third way through a problem.
Judith Sandalow
Executive Director
Children’s Law Center
The number of times I reference the techniques I learned and leadership training I received from Gary is too numerous to count.
Kasia Kedzia
Former Director of Evaluation
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service
Gary was really on the ball when it came to putting our org under the microscope and figuring out how to improve our financial situation. He had some creative solutions for increasing our engagement with the community in ways that would expand our programs and raise our org's visibility. Thanks Gary!
Rosemary Topar
New Jersey Workshop for the Arts
During my transition into the executive director role, Gary rode the bumps with me and coached me into a critical thinking process that boosted my confidence. With his calm and affirming manner providing grounding and guidance, the big picture and opportunities for change came into better focus and he helped me identify and address some top priorities. I'm not sure I would have made it through the first year without his skilled coaching.
Andrea Liguori
Executive Director
Richard Diebenkorn Foundation