The Team

We have assembled an extraordinary team

Dare Mighty Things was founded and is led by President and CEO David Van Patten, a graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, and well known author, lecturer and entrepreneurial activist in social initiatives.

Our team represents a wealth of intellectual capital and experience in social sciences, human services, business, not-for-profit, government, and military leadership. The entrepreneurial and professional ingenuity of a combined 500+ years of thought leadership and action are embodied in our senior management and staff. Independent consultants serving as DMT Associates provide subject matter expertise in variety of important areas.

Corporate Management
David Van Patten, MPA, President and CEO
Jim Seevers, MBA, Senior Vice President
John J. White, MSF, Director, Finance and Administration
Stephen F. Powell, Director of Contracts

Senior Management
Philip Nazzaro, MA, MS, Program Director
Donna Gandt, MBA, Director, Creative Learning Solutions
Kelly Belmonte, Senior Project Manager
Jennifer Walper Roberts, MPA, Senior Project Manager
Venessa Mendenhall, MA, Senior Project Manager
Julie Golkowski, MA, Principal Consultant

Professional Staff
Darcy Anurca, MS, Senior Analyst
Amber K. Armstrong, Associate Multimedia Designer
J. Jacqueline Bessette, MA, Analyst
Alicia Bowen, Senior Management Specialist
Sunny Bradford, Ph.D., Analyst
Lauren Bryar, Analyst
Mark Burgess, Associate Web Developer
Nicholas A. Bush, JD, Senior Consultant
Cristy Cardoso, Executive Assistant
Jessica Carter, Associate Accountant
Brandon Colón, Associate Analyst
Daniel Daughtry-Weiss, MM, Consultant
Robert Fischer, MS, Associate Analyst
Sarah Flaherty, Associate Analyst
April Goldstein, Associate Consultant
Kathryn Holland, Associate Consultant
Lauren Hudson, Associate Analyst
Scott Jacob, Associate Systems Analyst
Elizabeth Johnson, MS, Senior Consultant
Katherine Ann LaFevers, Receptionist
Sarah Leonard, Consultant
Cassie McCoy, Project Controller
Gretchen Morgan, MBA, Analyst
Karen Morton-Clark, Associate Consultant
Harley O'Brien, Senior Multimedia Analyst
Erin O'Keefe, Graphic Designer
Jacqueline Pearce Garrett, Associate Consultant
Catherine Plourde, Talent Manager
Brian P. Sales, MPS, Senior Consultant
Santiago Sanchez, MBA, Senior Consultant
Vincent B. Schuck, Associate Consultant
Josh Speerstra, Associate Systems Analyst
Chad T. Weikel, MA, Consultant
Abigail Wheeler, Analyst

Advisory Board
James C. Ballard, MS
Jennifer C. Buck, MBA
William V. Cross, MS
Brent R. Orrell
Robert N. Rubin, MBA

Corporate Management

David Van Patten, MPA
President, CEO

Dave Van Patten founded Dare Mighty Things in 1991 to help public sector entrepreneurs launch large scale social programs that impact high risk populations. As President and CEO, Dave fosters relationships with key stakeholders and guides the life cycle of all client engagements. His expertise has been instrumental in the development of dozens of programs impacting hundreds of thousands of vulnerable children and adults in nearly every state and several countries of the world. As a result, Dave has received national accolades for program innovations in mentoring high-risk populations, prisoner rehabilitation, new venture creation, and building faith-based organizations. Dave received his Bachelor of Science in chemistry from the United States Coast Guard Academy, and earned his Master of Public Administration from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. Dave has authored numerous reports, articles, and books, and has lectured at Harvard, Princeton, and other universities in social entrepreneurship, not-for-profit management, and volunteer management.

Jim Seevers pic Jim Seevers, MBA
Senior Vice President

Jim’s thirty-five years of capacity building experience touches all aspects of Dare Mighty Things projects. His primary contributions continue to be in program development and management, including strategic planning, organizational development, performance-based analysis, and change management. His experience with initiatives for at-risk youth includes training and technical assistance for positive youth development in residential settings, as well as faith- and community-based services. Jim has twentyeight years of federal government experience, including service as the Director for Manpower and Personnel for U.S. forces throughout the Pacific region. He has developed innovative methods and tools for successful outcome-oriented and process-based results in the public, nonprofit, and commercial sectors. Jim earned a BS in political science from the United States Air Force Academy and an MBA with a focus on management science from Louisiana Tech University.

John J. White, MS
Director of Finance and Administration

John White has more than thirty years of experience in corporate accounting, financial services and technological consulting. This unique blend of experience in these fields is evidenced throughout his efforts with Dare Mighty Things. As director of finance and administration, he is responsible for corporate accounting and financial reporting (including government compliance), information technology and human resources. John earned his Bachelor of Science in Accounting and his Master of Science in Finance from Bentley College.

Stephen F. Powell
Director of Contracts

Stephen Powell has been involved with all aspects of government contracting for over twenty-eight years. With his prior experience being primarily Department of Defense related, Steve has supported contracts with several other government agencies. His experience covers the full spectrum of conducting business with the U.S. Government, including proposal development strategies and pricing, negotiations, contract management and final contract close out. Steve is our liaison between Dare Mighty Things and our clients and subcontractors. As Director of Contracts, he develops policies and procedures for providing staff training in contractual and fiscal responsibilities. Steve holds a Certified Federal Contracts Management (CFCM) designation, in addition to his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration Accounting, earned at Old Dominion University.

Senior Management

Philip J. Nazzaro, MA, MS
Program Director

Phil Nazzaro is a ten-year veteran of the United States Army with extensive expertise in leadership and leader development. As Program Director, he uses his experience in leadership, training and instructional design to manage a team of consultants and analysts. He has served on the staff of the United States Military Academy at West Point, and served as a company commander in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Most recently he led the Instructional Systems Design team at Dare Mighty Things. He earned his Bachelor of Science in history and systems engineering at the United States Military Academy at West Point. He also holds a Master of Science in Education, a Master of Arts in Media Psychology, and has nearly completed studies for a Doctor of Philosophy in Media Psychology.

Donna Gandt, MBA
Director, Creative Learning Solutions

Donna Gandt has managed teams to deliver business and technology solutions for clients ranging from the US Navy to communications and consumer goods companies. She has helped organizations design, develop, deliver, and measure projects for more than fifteen years by bringing teams together to deeply understand and address cross-functional and systemic challenges. Donna has broad expertise in client and stakeholder engagement, business and strategic planning, and sustainable business practices. She leads our Creative Learning Solutions team - a shared services organization developed to provide consistent, powerful, strategic support to our client base and program teams. In addition to her work at Dare Mighty Things, she has served in the US Navy and as an adjunct faculty member at Goddard College's MA program in Socially Responsible Business and Sustainable Communities. Donna holds a BE in Mechanical Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology and an MBA from Boston University with a focus on social entrepreneurship.

Kelly D. Belmonte
Senior Project Manager

Kelly Belmonte is a results-oriented customer advocate with more than twenty years of leadership experience. As a member of the management team, she draws extensively on her background in web and print product development, program design, and client relationship management to benefit the clients she serves. With an emphasis on training and technical assistance for programs serving populations in transition, Kelly has proven results in developing long-range strategic planning recommendations and implementing initiatives that have long-term, large-scale impact on client engagements. Programs that have benefited from her unique blend of talents include STARBASE, the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program, the Compassion Capital Fund, the Beamer Foundation, and National Guard Family Programs. Prior to joining Dare Mighty Things, Kelly performed as Director of Client Services at Northern Light Technology, and before that, as Manager of Editorial Operations at EBSCO Publishing. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Gordon College, and she is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Business from New England College.

Jennifer A. Walper Roberts, MPA
Senior Project Manager

Jennifer has managed over twenty mentoring and internship programs for young people of color, both in New York City and London, and enhances Dare Mighty Things’ strength with more than a decade of experience developing and implementing mentoring and training programs to help close achievement and income gaps. Jen specializes in working across sectors and institutions to develop a shared sense of commitment toward assisting young people as they strive to realize their potential. Her experience includes working with a wide range of organizations, including community-based organizations, residential foster care agencies, schools, major corporations and investment banks. Jen graduated with two Bachelor’s degrees from the University of Maryland: one in Government and Politics and one in Spanish. She holds a Master of Public Administration from the City University of New York at Baruch College, and a Certificate in Mentor Program Supervision from the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America- Fordham University of Social Work. Additionally, she completed the Community Leadership course from the NYC Citizens Committee for Children.

Venessa Mendenhall, MA
Senior Project Manager

Venessa Mendenhall is a Senior Project Manager with a proven track record for delivering results on-time and on-budget. As a trainer and technical assistance provider, Venessa has worked with nonprofit organizations across the country to increase and retain their volunteer base, engage hard-to-reach populations, and deploy web-based technologies to meet their toughest organizational challenges. Additional areas of expertise include mentoring, the impact of incarceration and poverty on youth and families, and developing and sustaining active learning communities. Venessa earned an Master’s degree from the University of Chicago and a Bachelor’s degree from Pitzer College, studying faith-based social change movements. She currently volunteers as a mentor with iMentor in New York City.

JG pic Julie Golkowski, MA
Principal Consultant

Julie Golkowski has over twenty-five years of experience serving youth and their families. She has been a psychotherapist, a residential group home clinical coordinator, and Director of Child, Adolescent, and Family Services in a community mental health setting. Julie specializes in post-traumatic stress disorder, suicide assessment and intervention, and working with youth. She obtained her Master's degree in counselor education from New York University, and also holds a professional diploma from Hofstra University in marriage and family therapy.

Professional Staff

Darcy Anurca, MS
Senior Analyst

Darcy has worked with both non-profit organizations and government agencies for over ten years, where she obtained extensive experience in the areas of program design, program development, and project management, as she is currently a member of the Project Management Institute and the IT & Telecom SIG within PMI. Specifically, Darcy has worked with local, state, and federal government agencies, along with local and national non-profit organizations. Currently, Darcy is responsible for the management and development of information technology systems in the Washington, DC office. She communicates directly with clients in order to address their information technology needs and serves as the primary point of contact in order to fulfill client requests.

Amber K. Armstrong
Associate Multimedia Designer

Amber Armstrong attained four years of professional experience in the fields of information technology, Web site design and development, and graphic design before joining the Creative Solutions Learning team at Dare Mighty Things. Amber also has several years of experience with active and integral participation in the evolution of her small Maine community and its families. She focuses her high energy and forward thinking on each project to produce exceptional results for our clients. Proficient in all Adobe’s design products, Amber’s work reflects an emphasis on cross platform browser compatibility, accessibility, and search engine optimization. She is also fluent in CSS coding language, HTML, and XHTML.

J. Jacqueline Bessette, MA
Analyst

Jacqueline Bessette is a learning and development specialist with experience in instructional systems design and training program facilitation. She brings great knowledge to our team in the areas of communication, education, and training. As a member of the Creative Learning Solutions team, Jacqueline contributes to the analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation of client products. She served as training coordinator for Tamayo Consulting, Inc., where she specialized in presentation training, leadership development, and teambuilding, and she also taught public speaking at San Diego State University (SDSU). She earned her BA in communication from Bryant University in Rhode Island and her MA in communication studies from SDSU.

Alicia Bowen
Senior Management Specialist

Alicia Bowen’s years as owner of a home-building business give her access to understanding the practical side of business while also enabling her to appreciate the abstract qualities that create success. Not only does she possess an in-depth knowledge of business, but she also has a keen interest in technology and its central role in today’s progressive business culture. Alicia provides superior customer service and technical assistance to our National Guard clients. With a flair for organization, Alicia understands the importance of order and process, and relies on these skills to assist in the day to day management of the DMT office. She also coordinates travel and event details in support of more than forty National Challenge Institute events each year. She is on hand to cordially and efficiently host the dozens of events that take place at DMT’s state-of-the-art training facility in Portsmouth, NH, and she successfully manages the production, organization, and transport of materials and multimedia for numerous events conducted around the country.

Sunny Bradford, Ph.D.
Analyst

Sunny Bradford, an analyst with the Creative Learning Solutions group, is an experienced educator, trainer, and organization development consultant. She has served as a Training and OD specialist for Maine Medical Center and Hannaford Brothers Company. She has also been an adjunct executive coach with the Center for Creative Leadership. In her own consulting practice, she has specialized in leadership and team development, organizational research, change management, training design/delivery, and workforce diversity. Sunny has developed curricula and taught for Antioch New England, Antioch Los Angeles, and Lewiston-Auburn College. She has a Masters degree in Sociology from the University of Michigan and a Ph.D. in Education from UC Santa Barbara. Sunny has consulted across many industries, including federal and state governments, health care, social services, finance, retail, and technology.

Lauren Bryar
Analyst

Lauren Bryar began working at Dare Mighty Things while pursuing her undergraduate degree at the University of New Hampshire. Since graduating Summa cum Laude with a degree in English, Lauren has immersed herself in the world of analysis, benchmarking, research, and development while also pursuing continued education in graphic design. Her analytical nature, attention to detail, and exhaustive approach to projects have earned her a reputation as a historian. She has a wealth of knowledge in client programming, residential programs, mentoring, and adolescent development.

Mark A. Burgess
Associate Web Developer

Mark Burgess has eight years of experience in the information technology and web development initiatives. He brings the rare combination of strong customer service skills with a broad understanding of web and information technology subjects to Dare Mighty Things. Mark provides high level consultation on technical and web related issues. He develops, manages and supports all web product and e-learning resources and develops tools to help end-users with best practices in website design and administration. Mark has been on staff at public school systems in New Hampshire, and also in a private university. Among his many accomplishments, Mark was selected by the university leadership to travel to China to evaluate their technology state for proposed partnerships. Mark is an Apple Certified Macintosh Technician (ACMT), and is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Science in Business Management.

Nicholas A. Bush, JD
Senior Consultant

Nick possesses more than a decade of high-impact experience in management consulting, business development, and organizational leadership. His diverse exposure across multiple industries in the public and private sectors give him a unique business perspective and a cross-functional skillset. His focus is on cultivating dynamic client relationships that produce measurable results. A veteran of the United States Navy, Nick holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Maine School of Law, a Bachelor of Arts with honors in Political Science from the University of Southern Maine, and is a decorated public speaker.

Cristy Cardoso
Executive Assistant

Cristy brings experience in creative marketing, public communication and administrative roles to Dare Mighty Things. She has worked in the promotional marketing products industry as a production coordinator and graphic designer; most recently she served in an administrative, marketing and communication role at the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension. Cristy has the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast paced environment while delivering quality results. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Art from Keene State College and has completed professional development coursework in social media marketing and website maintenance from the University of New Hampshire.

Jessica Carter
Associate Accountant

Jessica Carter joins DMT as our new Associate Accountant. With her dedication and passion for accounting, Jessica is able to use her knowledge of accounting principles and standards, as well as her skills in banking and income tax assistance to help sustain quality documentation and customer satisfaction. Jessica earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting, along with a double minor in Spanish and Economics from Plymouth State University.

Brandon Colón
Associate Analyst

Brandon carries a diverse skill set to his role as an Associate Analyst with Dare Mighty Things. His experience in project coordination, mentoring, and leadership is characterized by a focus in child and adolescent development. Brandon tends to clients’ needs by supporting the Creative Learning Solutions team in all phases of product development. Brandon earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Bates College with a concentration in sociocultural studies.

Daniel Daughtry-Weiss, MM
Consultant

Daniel Daughtry-Weiss is devoted to helping nonprofit organizations achieve and demonstrate results. During his work at the grassroots level, Daniel helped execute and document successful public/private partnerships with hundreds of faith-based and community-based organizations. In Washington, Daniel has been involved in the development and design of performance measurement systems for more than twenty-seven federal housing and social service programs. He provides technical assistance to grantees in the area of grants management, subaward program design and outcome measurement. Daniel's leadership in the design and development of a program management information system for the Compassion Capital Fund helped Dare Mighty Things to earn the Contractor of the Year award from the Administration for Children and Families.

Robert Fischer, MS
Associate Analyst

Rob worked as a researcher, writer, and editor covering urban and public policy issues in the U.S. and Latin America before joining the Creative Learning Solutions team at DMT. He is now involved in every phase of DMT's learning development, from drafting e-learning storyboards to editing final proofs and lesson plans. Rob earned his Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies and Print Journalism from the University of San Francisco and a Master of Science in Philosophy and Public Policy from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Sarah Flaherty
Associate Analyst

Sarah Flaherty spent four years as communications specialist in the market research arena before joining Dare Mighty Things’ Creative Learning Solutions team. Her background includes editing, proposal and report drafting and design, and project management. She is currently involved in every phase of DMT’s e-learning development. Before entering the realm of research and analysis, Sarah worked briefly in college counseling and admissions. Sarah earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of New Hampshire, graduating summa cum laude after completing a thesis in creative writing.

April Goldstein
Associate Consultant

April brings professional experience with both private and nonprofit sector work to DMT. Her broad knowledge of human resources and program management, and a strong interest in organizational development inform a high standard of work and commitment to client services. April creates valuable technical assistance resources and assists grantees in accessing resources and implementing their projects. She engages with her community by volunteering with 326dc, an organization that develops and teaches creative writing workshops to public school students in the Washington, DC area. April graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Indiana University in 2005, and currently serves on the board of the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network’s DC chapter.

Kathryn Holland
Associate Consultant

Kathryn Holland is committed to her work assisting with the child enrollment activities for the mentoring programs we support. She leads child enrollment and supports child outreach efforts, working with vulnerable populations. Kathryn received her Master’s degree in social work from Monmouth University, and her Bachelor of Arts in social work with a minor in Spanish from Christopher Newport University. Kathryn has years of experience in both national and international community service, having participated in and led programs in Honduras, Costa Rica, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC. Her customer service and interpersonal skills are evident as is her passion for helping those in need.

Lauren Hudson
Associate Analyst

Lauren’s knack for organization and attention to details makes her a key member of DMT’s Creative Learning Solutions team. She edits copy for numerous client deliverables, from e-learning content to webinars, and provides graphic support and formatting to a range of products. Lauren spent ten years in marketing and business management roles and has experience with proposal writing and management, graphic design, and financial management. Lauren’s ability to manage a large amount of information while organizing many project details ensures high quality in all project ventures. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from the University of New Hampshire, with minors in Business Administration and Architecture, and has completed graduate coursework at Emerson College in Boston.

Scott Jacob
Associate Systems Analyst

Scott Jacob is a wonderful new addition to the DMT team as of 2009. His past experience includes primarily positions which involved writing and data analysis. At DMT, Scott has drawn upon this experience to improve the efficiency of data tracking, input, collection, and analysis. He has also demonstrated an aptitude for programming by creating and applying extensive improvements to several Microsoft Access databases, reporting forms, and a Microsoft SharePoint site used by DMT. Scott graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from George Mason University in May 2009, and is considering continuing his education to pursue a career in law.

Elizabeth Johnson, MS
Senior Consultant

Elizabeth Johnson is a change management professional with more than ten years of experience specializing in domestic and international training development and delivery. Her experience makes her a creative and visionary consultant who uses effective listening to learn about customers and their businesses, design holistic solutions, and maintain cultural awareness while attending to the bottom line. Elizabeth served in the United States Army, both active duty and Reserves. She earned a Master of Science in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Kansas State University and a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Kansas.

Katherine Ann LaFevers
Receptionist

Katherine is a detail-oriented, highly organized, resourceful, and professional administrative coordinator/customer project liaison. She has extensive experience taking projects like direct mail, pre-print, and co-op advertising campaigns from start to finish. Katherine has the ability to communicate effectively between clients and subcontractors, and is a strong team player with exceptional problem solving, communication, and multi-tasking capabilities. Her customer service skills, honed through experience, enable her to discern and address our clients’ needs with warmth, grace, and competence.

Sarah Leonard
Consultant

Sarah Leonard has been educating, training, and coaching in the fields of nonprofit management, organizational development, education, health, and youth development for eleven years. In her varied work as a classroom teacher, teacher trainer, and nonprofit consultant, she has had a life-long commitment to improving opportunities for high-risk youth. As a capacity builder to several emerging nonprofits in Washington, D.C., Sarah facilitated a wide range of customized training and technical assistance to nonprofit partners. She built organization capacity and cultivated nonprofit leaders with an end goal of creating better communities for the youth of the city. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Gustavus Adolphus College and served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in South Africa, working with schools in the rural village of Dithakong.

Cassie McCoy
Project Controller

Cassie has a blended financial background that started seven years ago. As Dare Mighty Things' Project Controller, her experience in accounting fundamentals and project analytics serve as critical tools in contract budgeting. She has worked all sides of our contracts from initialization to final billing and reconciliation, working closely with project managers and contract officers to ensure quality accounting and customer satisfaction. Cassie earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Southern New Hampshire University.

Gretchen Morgan, MBA
Analyst

Gretchen Morgan brings six years of experience in marketing, management, and analytics to Dare Mighty Things. She comes by way of the pharmaceutical industry where she excelled in business data analytics and corporate training development. In her business analytics role, Gretchen was able to enhance the analytic knowledge of Regional and National Directors by conducting primary and secondary research that led to the creation of distinct customer segments. This research resulted in driving sales through tailored messages by segment. Additionally, she educated representatives across the country by building a reporting platform used for dissemination of data. She is most proud of being a marketing product manager while launching a first in class product to the market. While launching the product to a highly saturated market, Gretchen focused on professional and consumer education helping the brand grow to second in market share after only five months. She earned several coveted awards for her business acumen, team leadership, and creative approach to data integration. She has earned her Master’s in Business Administration focused on Management from LaSalle University in Philadelphia, PA.

Harley O'Brien
Senior Multimedia Analyst

With almost two decades of IT development and management experience, Harley is skilled at integrating technology, communications, and marketing. His background in Marketing and Communications gives him a special edge when it comes to web projects and multimedia applications, areas that usually require not only technical expertise but also design and visual skills. Before joining DMT as senior multimedia analyst and technology lead for the CLS division, Harley was an independent consultant with clients ranging from Fortune 500 firms, such as HP and Phillip-Morris, to non-profit agencies, such as the United Nations-International Labor Organization.

Karen Morton-Clark
Associate Consultant

Karen Morton-Clark is an experienced event planner with extensive expertise in program management and development, hospitality sales, marketing and public relations. She has over thirty years of experience working with high-risk populations in the area of substance abuse prevention and health education in both corporate and community settings. Karen utilized this experience when she served as Coalition Director for the Dover Police Department, where she managed all aspects of an event drawing 10,000 attendees. This event was designed to heighten awareness of substance abuse prevention and strengthen ties among youth, families, civic agencies and businesses. Karen holds an Associate of Science in Fashion Merchandising and Retailing, a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and is a Certified Mediator.

Erin O'Keefe
Graphic Designer

As lead graphic designer, Erin's skillful use of design applications allows clients and consultants to visualize information in both a technical and illustrative manner. Her expertise in branding, marketing and design was developed through creating visual support and branded materials for presentations at a large communications agency and by helping to launch new campaigns as a key member of San Francisco's Community Task Force on Homes for Children. Erin holds a certification in desktop publishing and a Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a minor in Business Administration from the University of New Hampshire.

Jacqueline Pearce Garrett
Associate Consultant

Jacqueline applies a diverse set of skills at Dare Mighty Things, including experiences in training and technical assistance; website design, development, and maintenance; editing, and publishing. As an associate consultant, Jackie works to ensure seamless communication between Dare Mighty Things' teams and their clients. She has also led training and technical assistance for faith-based and community organizations, managed web sites, supported major training events for Dare Mighty Things, and written material for online publications. Jackie holds a Bachelor's degree in English and Economics from the University of Maryland, and is currently pursuing her Master of Business Administration at George Washington University.

Catherine Plourde
Talent Manager

Catherine's passion for excellence and appreciation for people has driven her career in both not-for-profit and corporate arenas for the past two decades. Accomplished in communication, written, verbal and visual realms, her experience in human resource management, project development and marketing serve to fortify Dare Mighty Things' efforts in meeting client needs. As part of our corporate branch, Catherine's execution features her versatile fast-acting style to assist us in achieving and maintaining our people advantage in support of our clients and our personnel. A member of the Society for Human Resource Management, Catherine holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications with a minor in Political Science from the University of New Hampshire.

Brian P. Sales, M.P.S.
Senior Consultant

Brian has worked with youth service organizations for almost twenty years. He brings extensive practical knowledge of best practices in youth development from working with homeless youth, middle and high school aged students in after-school settings, at community centers, foster care and high school mentoring programs. Brian provides on-site technical assistance to grantees and serves an internal subject matter expert on mentoring. Additionally, he has direct experience providing strategies to first-generation college students. Brian earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from Hobart College and a Master of Professional Studies in Africana Studies from Cornell University. He also completed certification in Advancing Youth Development (AYD) Training and Mentor Program Coordination from the Maryland Mentoring Partnership.

Santiago F. Sanchez, MBA
Senior Consultant

Santiago Sanchez offers more then twenty years of program management and community development experience with private enterprises and nonprofit organizations that serve at-risk populations. Santiago assists the Program Director in the management of day-to-day program operations. He has managed several private and government projects and has extensive experience supporting national intermediary agencies and faith-based and community organizations through research and direct technical assistance. He has improved project and program efficiencies by implementing quality control systems and developing and enhancing assessment tools. Santiago earned his Bachelor's degree in psychology from James Madison University and his MBA from Regis University.

Vincent “Butch” Schuck
Associate Consultant

Butch spent more than four years as a Marine Corps Reservist, followed by engagements as a counter-terrorism intelligence team leader and program manager for Threats to Higher Education with the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness. He has additional experience as a private boarding school dean, sales consultant, and as Segway Inc.’s north american sales manager for police and government business. His combined experience in consulting, client relationship management, education, program management, and the military, provide him with unique cross-functional knowledge and insight into the educational, public, and private sectors.

Josh Speerstra
Associate Systems Analyst

Josh Speerstra has more than twelve years of experience in data management, quality assurance, and customer service in nonprofit and business sectors. His commitment to providing accurate and useful assistance to customers, and his dedication to the integrity of databases make him a tremendous asset to DMT’s clients. Josh helps federal grantees access valuable technical assistance resources, and ensures that the program maintains up-to-date information regarding program results and subrecipient activity for more than 6,000 organizations. Josh studied at Western Michigan University.

Chad T. Weikel, MA
Consultant

Chad Weikel is a seasoned project manager with a background in instructional design and training. His experience with the United States Anti-Doping Agency included presenting health education to Olympic athletes, coaches and trainers, parents, and youth in sport. His broad experiences in curriculum development include single print marketing flyers, healthy sport curriculum units for high school and middle school classrooms, public service announcements with a national reach, and clean-sport websites targeting 15-19 year old student athletes. He is a consultant for the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), including leading grief groups for teen survivors, conducting mentor trainings, serving as a peer mentor, and creating a national grief-support program for Battle Buddies. He is also a board member for the Knights of Heroes, a summer camp for boys who have lost their fathers in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He earned his BS in Health and Exercise Science from Colorado State University, and MA in Education, Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Phoenix.

Abigail Wheeler
Analyst

Abigail Wheeler’s talents include instructional systems design, writing, editing, and project management. Her experience conducting analysis, design, development, and evaluation is leveraged to support the development of adult learning experiences and an array of client products and operational tools. She has managed and contributed to the development of more than 4,000 pages of curriculum for the classroom and dozens of e-learning experiences. Abigail graduated from Colby College with Phi Beta Kappa and Magna Cum Laude honors and earned a bachelor's degree in English with a concentration in creative writing. Abigail serves as vice president of the board of directors for Sexual Assault Support Services (SASS), a seacoast New Hampshire nonprofit organization committed to providing ongoing and crisis support as well as preventative education to local communities.

Associates

Ann Adalist-Estrin, MS
Senior Consultant

Ann Adalist-Estrin is a nationally known and respected expert on children and families of prisoners. She currently serves as director of the National Resource Center on Children and Families of the Incarcerated for the Family Corrections Network. She is also a Senior Fellow of the Child Welfare League of America, and a consultant for hundreds of mentoring children of prisoners (MCP) programs. Ann has been a child and family therapist for more than twenty-five years, currently practicing at BRIDGES/Samaritan Counseling Centers in Jenkintown, PA. Ann has been pivotal in assisting DMT to significantly improve the quality of mentoring programs. Ann has a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Temple University and a Master of Science in Counseling and Human Services from Villanova University.

Karen L. Baetzel, MA
Senior Consultant

Karen is a sought-after national consultant, trainer, writer, and award-winning motivational speaker. After a thirty-year career in the United States Navy as one of its most senior female aviators, Karen transitioned to successful engagements in the corporate, academic, and non-profit world. The former program director at Dare Mighty Things, Karen founded BattleAxe Consulting Services, headquartered in South Florida and serves a nation-wide client base in corporate and government leadership development and homeland security and defense consulting. She is a professional member of the National Speakers Association and former newspaper columnist. Karen is the co-author of several books, including a recent collaboration with Deepak Chopra and Jack Canfield. Karen holds a Master’s Degree in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College, where she is also a visiting professor.

Lisa Barnes Lampman
Consultant

With more than twenty-five years of experience in the political, public, and non-profit sectors, Lisa Barnes Lampman is a proven, results-oriented leader and organizational strategist. In her role as senior consultant, Lisa provides Dare Mighty Things with support for its work on the Compassion Capital Fund National Resource Center. Lisa has worked for U.S. Secretary of Education Lamar Alexander as a special assistant, and, in the non-profit sector, she has served as vice president of Prison Fellowship Ministries (PFM), an international ministry to prisoners, ex-prisoners, and their families. She also was founder and president of Neighbors Who Care (NWC), a subsidiary organization of PFM that was the first national crime victim assistance ministry in the U.S. As a consultant, Lisa has come alongside non-profit, church, and public sector leaders to facilitate the design of realistic strategic plans, formulate fundraising strategies, and develop new program models for implementation.

Rhett Butler, MA
Senior Consultant

Rhett Butler brings fourteen years of Federal government and consulting experience into helping Dare Mighty Things create new public-private partnerships, with a focus on workforce development strategies that target vulnerable populations. As a consultant, Rhett works closely with clients to strengthen their capacity to engage government officials, pursue federal funding opportunities, and achieve their public policy goals. After working on Capitol Hill for more than seven years, he spent the next five and a half years at the White House and U.S. Department of Labor developing national programmatic and policy solutions to help at-risk populations overcome barriers to employment, find jobs, and stay employed. Rhett earned a Master of Arts in government from Johns Hopkins University, a graduate-level certificate from the U.S. Naval War College, and a Bachelor of Arts in international politics from the Pennsylvania State University.

Holli Carpenter
Consultant

Holli Carpenter joins the DMT team with a lifetime of military experience. She brings a diverse skill set to her engagements, with talents that include creation of surveys and needs assessments, data analysis, and extensive knowledge of the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program (YRRP). In 2009, Holli served on the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs Geographically Dispersed Task Force, where she traveled to YRRP events and interviewed YRRP coordinators, service members and their families. Prior to focusing her career interests on military family consulting, Holli spent more than ten years working in childhood education, managing learning centers, and coaching families on fine tuning parenting skills both in one-on-one sessions and group lectures. Holli graduated cum laude from Georgia Southern University with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, and a minor in psychology.

Reverend Alan K. Chambers
Senior Consultant

Alan K. Chambers has more than thirty-six years of experience in the nonprofit arena principally in the areas of management, organizational development, leadership training and program evaluation. Currently, he is the founder and Chief Executive Officer the Chambers Group in Laurel, Maryland, where he provides development and implementation of program initiatives for nonprofit organizations in the faith-based, public and private sectors. He has served in executive capacities with Communities in Schools, City Cares of America, the Children's Defense Fund, and as Executive Vice-President of Prison Fellowship. He has spoken at many venues including Wheaton University, The White House Fellows Alumni, The Congressional Youth Brain Trust, and ABC News Nightline, and he was a distinguished lecturer for the Staley Lecture Series at Houghton College. Alan is a graduate of the Western Pennsylvania Bible Institute, the International Bible Institute and Seminary in Orlando, Florida, and the Executive Development Program at the school of Business and Public Management at George Washington University.

Randall R. Conrad, MBA
Senior Consultant

Randy is a decorated twenty-two year veteran of the Unites States Air Force with expertise in leadership management and development training. As a senior member of our training staff, he brings a wealth of knowledge to the leadership development, education, and training arena. He has served as the director of an Air Force Airman Leadership School and as an instructor at an Air Force Non-commissioned Officer Academy, as well as the elite Department of Defense Equal Opportunity and Management Institute. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Management from the University of Phoenix, and achieved a Master of Business Administration in March of 2009.

Terie Dreussi Smith, M. Ed.
Consultant

Terie Dreussi Smith is an author and consultant with aha! Process, Inc., Highlands, TX. As a master trainer for different National Challenge Institute course and workshop events, Terie presents on topics related to generational poverty. Terie co-authored Bridges out of Poverty: Strategies for Professionals and Communities with Dr. Ruby Payne and Philip DeVol. A former public school teacher, she has served as adjunct faculty for several colleges focused on empowering adult students transitioning out poverty. In her recent consultant work as a grant writer and social program manager for youth-based service agencies, community coalitions and schools, Terie assists communities to embed Bridges out of Poverty concepts in upgrading policies and services for families and youth in generational poverty.

Ted Kehr, MS
Senior Consultant

Ted Kehr offers facilitation and training to several Dare Mighty Things and National Challenge Institute course offerings, both in Portsmouth and around the nation. He completed more than forty years of meritorious service in the U.S. Army and the New Hampshire National Guard, and retired in 2002 at the rank of Colonel. His civilian background, which includes fifteen years in public education at the secondary and collegiate level, allows him to excel as he continues to lend his collaborative skills to strategic initiatives within the DMT practice. He earned his Bachelor of Science from Findlay College in Ohio, and his Master of Science from Indiana University in Bloomington.

Joseph Kenney, M. Ed
Consultant

Joseph Kenney has more than ten years of experience directing successful programs that serve at-risk youth at residential facilities and alternative schools. As a master trainer, Joey’s ability to build and expand strong programs for at-risk youth through the development of onsite technical assistance and training skills among local staff serves him well at DMT, where he provides training, facilitation, and technical assistance to the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program. Throughout his career, Joey has operated adventure-based education programs for youth, counseled adults in transition, facilitated team building for corporations, and planned strategies for faith-based organizations. Joey holds a Master of Education degree from the University of Vermont, and a Bachelor's degree in Religious Studies from Saint Michael's College.

Vlad Kulchytskyy
Consultant

Vlad Kulchytskyy serves as DMT’s web product developer, coordinating site development and addressing ongoing design needs. Prior to his engagement with DMT, Vlad was contracted to design and develop a second version of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program web portal (www.ngycp.org) in early 2004. This site received a tremendous amount of traffic, along with positive feedback, and has served as a marketing tool for cadets; a communication medium for youth, parents, and mentors; and a technical support point for mentors and program directors. Vlad started his professional career in Cyprus and later became one of the heads of an e-commerce department at a UK-based agency in Kiev, Ukraine. Vlad earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at Intercollege on the island of Cyprus.

Michelle LaRose, MS
Consultant

Michelle LaRose provides DMT with strong financial and analytical skills honed through years of solid fiscal experience at a global consumer products company. As DMT’s Senior Financial Analyst, Michelle handles all corporate financial, administrative, and facilities-related management. Michelle’s breadth of experience in corporate finance and internal control makes her an invaluable member of the company management team. Her ability to communicate effectively with all levels of management, combined with great analytical skills and keen attention to detail have allowed Michelle to transition smoothly through many positions of increasing professional responsibility. Michelle graduated as valedictorian from Bryant College with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, and also holds a Master of Science in Advanced Accounting from Bentley College.

Scott Larson, D. Min.
Consultant

Dr. Scott Larson has been a popular trainer for those working with at-risk youth around the world for more than twenty years. He frequently serves as a master trainer for National Challenge Institute course and workshop events on behalf of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program, presenting on topics such as connecting and communicating with at-risk youth, brain development and behavior, and building trusting relationships. Scott is founder and president of Straight Ahead Ministries, an international organization focused on reaching juvenile offenders in more than 400 juvenile detention centers in fourteen states in the U.S. and abroad. Scott received his Master of Divinity and his Doctorate of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

Reverend Al Lawrence
Consultant

Reverend Al Lawrence has been engaged in developing programs that assist and equip churches and organizations in their ministries to prisoners, ex-prisoners and their families. He has had over twenty-seven years of experience in developing and monitoring new programs and pilot projects funded by Prison Fellowship grants. As Prison Fellowship’s National Director for Special Projects, Rev. Lawrence also worked with National Church and Denominational Leadership developing special Urban Church programs for prisoners, ex-prisoners, and their families.

Allen Mendler, Ph.D.
Senior Consultant

Allen Mendler, Ph.D. is an educator and school psychologist who has worked extensively with youth of all ages in both regular and special education settings. Dr. Mendler has been a consultant to many schools, and day and residential centers. As one of the internationally acclaimed authors of the Discipline with Dignity books, Dr. Mendler has given many workshops and seminars to professionals and parents, and is highly acclaimed as a motivational speaker and trainer for numerous educational organizations. Dr. Mendler has been recognized for his distinguished teaching by the Bureau of Education and Research, and was a recipient of the coveted Crazy Horse Award for having made outstanding contributions to discouraged youth.

James F. Murray, MA, MS
Senior Consultant

Captain Murray is a decorated twenty-seven year veteran of the United States Coast Guard with extensive expertise in coastal command and operations. As a member of our adjunct faculty, he taps over twenty years of his experience in leadership development, education, and training. He has served on the faculties of the United States Coast Guard Academy, University of New Haven, Naval War College, and most recently as Department Head at the Naval Academy Preparatory School where he led a faculty team in the development of performance-based curricula for at risk students. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics at the United States Coast Guard Academy, Master of Science in Operations Research from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and Master of Arts in National Resource Strategy from the National Defense University.

Pierre Perez
Consultant

Pierre Perez brings eight years of military experience and eleven years of experience with the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program’s Alaska Military Youth Academy to his role as a consultant on DMT’s training efforts through the National Challenge Institute (NCI). With five years as a mental health specialist in a behavioral systems hospital, Pierre is well-equipped to provide training to ChalleNGe staff. Pierre is certified as an American Red Cross First Aid and CPR instructor, a certified Crisis Prevention Institute instructor, and he has received the Leadership Award at the Rehabilitation Training Instructors Course.

Christian Rummel, MPA
Consultant

Christian Rummell is the founder of Mentorist – a training, technical assistance, and research consulting firm that focuses on diversity issues in youth mentoring. Previously, Christian was the Director of Mentoring Support Services at MENTOR/National Mentoring Partnership, and a Training and Technical Assistance Associate at the National Mentoring Center. He also coordinated the AmeriCorps Program at the “I Have a Dream” Foundation in Oregon, and started a school-based mentoring program. Christian holds an MPA from Portland State University and is currently writing his dissertation on mentoring in a doctoral program in educational leadership.

Malcolm Smith, Ph.D.
Senior Consultant

Dr. Malcolm Smith is a nationally known training facilitator, consultant, author, and educator. He has taught at the famous Menninger Clinic and in many hospitals, homeless shelters, and residential programs across America. He is the former director of the Karl Menninger National Youth Care Training Center, where he trained over 1,200 human service professionals each year. He is also an adjunct faculty member at Washburn University. Malcolm earned a Bachelor of Art in Journalism and a Bachelor of Art in Special Education from Washburn University, an M.Ed. from Minnesota State University, and a Ph.D. in Family Life and Human Services from Kansas State University.

Judy Strother Taylor
Senior Consultant

Judy Strother Taylor is the Project Director for the U.S. Department of Education Mentoring Resource Center, and is a specialist in the fields of youth development; alcohol, drug abuse and delinquency prevention; juvenile justice; mentoring; and alternative health care. She has directed technical assistance initiatives for Federal agencies including the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Bureau of Prisons and the Agency for International Development. She also supports twelve Los Angeles Boys and Girls Clubs in their efforts to address the academic, social, and recreational needs of over 2000 families and individuals.

Lisa Thorpe-Vaughn, MA
Consultant

Lisa Thorpe-Vaughn, brings a vast amount of experience to her role as a consultant for Dare Mighty Things. Lisa is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Non-Profit Leadership Training Institute (NLTI). In 2004, Lisa was showcased locally as one of Pittsburgh’s “50 Women of Influence,” and in the Fall 2005 edition of the Precious Times magazine, Lisa received national recognition as one of “The 50 Faithful” (people doing the work that God appointed so that His will is done on earth). Lisa is currently a member of the Juvenile Detention Board of Advisors for Allegheny County; an appointment of the County Executive for the purpose of policy and procedure review and recommendation. Lisa holds a Master's degree in English, with an emphasis in Intercultural Rhetoric, from Carnegie Mellon University.

Sandra Tremblay
Consultant

Sandra’s work at DMT is focused on the collection and analysis of data produced by different National Challenge Institute program courses. She assists with analysis of the NCI Basic Course and Cadre Course, and her responsibilities include the development of qualitative and quantitative data collection instruments and strategies, deployment and management of data collection tools, research and development, and information management. Throughout her career, Sandra has accumulated an impressive skills set, founding educational programs that focus on social responsibility and environmental leadership. Sandra graduated from Bentley College with a Bachelor of Art in International Business, specializing in corporate social responsibility and sustainable development. She is currently finishing an Master's program in Environmental Education at the University of New Hampshire.

Betsy F. Tuohey
Human Resource Consultant

Betsy Tuohey possesses extensive expertise in human resources strategies, both for launching and expanding new ventures, as well as for implementing scalable development plans to attract and retain talent. At DMT, Betsy applies her special interest in the alignment of selection, retention, and personnel development systems to DMT’s efforts to select and support exceptional talent. She also contributes to DMT’s National Challenge Institute courses by providing instruction in communication techniques, leadership principles, labor relations, and job placement. She has taught employment law, emotional intelligence, advanced leadership skills and a variety of other human resource programs at the University of New Hampshire. Betsy earned a Bachelor's degree from St. Mary’s College in Notre Dame, IN, and received certificates in change management, training and instructional design, and transformational coaching. Betsy also earned her SPHR (Senior Professional in Human Resources) designation in 2000.

Brent Swinton, MPA, CFRE
Senior Consultant

Brent Swinton is a results-oriented management expert with over a decade of experience helping nonprofit organizations, public sector agencies, and higher education institutions improve their operational efficiency. He is a distinguished presenter and trainer, nationally recognized for effectively conveying complex technical information to a diverse range of stakeholders and audiences. As member of the DMT staff, Brent served as the Training and Technical Assistance Manager for the Compassion Capital Fund where he trained grantee organizations to sustain themselves, fulfill their grant deliverables, and provide improved social services. Along with his management and operational expertise, Brent’s status as a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) demonstrates his proficiency in fundraising and development. Brent earned his Bachelor of Science in sociology at the University of Georgia, and his Master of Public Administration at the University of Central Florida.

Harry Wilson, MPA
Senior Consultant

Harry Wilson offers his expertise and experience as a consultant on a wide range of Dare Mighty Things endeavors, working in support of programming for families and children in need. Harry has more than thirty years of experience working with troubled youth in various foster care placements, and transitioning to adulthood. Harry recently transitioned from the role of Associate Commissioner of the Family and Youth Services Bureau into the private sector. Harry also directed four National Youth Summits, and helped the White House plan the First Lady’s Helping America’s Youth (HAY) conferences, where adults and youth are learning to create safe, positive communities.

Advisory Board

James C. Ballard, MS

James C. Ballard held a service career with the Department of Navy that spanned more than two decades, including posts as senior technical manager for Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, and ACAT I program manager for the Attack Submarine Program. After retiring from the military he served as COO and President of publicly traded and privately-held companies and now serves as President and CEO of Global Services & Solutions, Inc. In addition to his position on the Dare Mighty Things advisory board, James has served on the executive committee and board of directors, for the Professional Services Council; the board of directors, public sector, Information for Technology Association of America; and the board of advisors, Harry F. Byrd, Jr. School of Business, Shenandoah University. James holds a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School.

Jennifer C. Buck, MBA

Jennifer C. Buck retired from thirty-five years of federal service in October 2009. She served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs (Resources) since July 1994. Jennifer was the key advisor to the assistant secretary of defense for reserve affairs in all financial management and resourcing matters relating to the Reserve components. She was also responsible for the nationwide management of two at-risk youth programs: National Guard Youth ChalleNGe for high school dropouts, and DoD STARBASE, a science and math enrichment program for elementary school children. Jennifer was a key contributor to the creation of the radical policy changes in the department that have occurred since 9/11, and the establishment of an operational Guard and Reserve. Since her federal retirement, she has begun an independent executive consulting business, and she is the executive advisor to the Gap International Institute for Government, a subsidiary of Gap International.

William V. Cross, MS

Bill Cross served the majority of his professional career as a naval officer retiring from the Navy as a two-star Admiral. During his naval service he had four operational commands including a fleet fighter squadron, an amphibious assault ship, a nuclear aircraft carrier and an aircraft carrier battle group. He was also qualified as a major weapon system acquisition manager, Joint warfare operations specialist, engineering test pilot and nuclear propulsion engineer. Following his military retirement in 2000, Bill established a distinguished corporate career in sales, strategic planning and account leadership. He is currently a Specialist Leader in Deloitte Consulting's DOD business group and was the Director of Global Defense Sales at the consulting company BearingPoint before its acquisition by Deloitte. He also chaired BearingPoint's Defense Advisory Board, a select group of former admirals, generals and senior civilian executives who provided insight and perspective to corporate leadership. Before joining BearingPoint in 2004, Bill was vice president of Navy and Marine Corps business development at CACI International.

Robert N. Rubin, MBA

With more than twenty-five years of mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance experience in Fortune 100 and entrepreneurial environments and a broad range of industry experience, Robert brings a wealth of transactional and industry specific experience to the Dare Mighty Things advisory board. His recent efforts have been focused on government contracting, software development and commercial IT, and other outsourced business services. Robert received an undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland with a major in accounting and was awarded an MBA in Corporate Finance from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He has served as president and a board member of the ACG National Capital Chapter, as well as on the international board of this 14,000+ member organization, comprised of professionals involved in organic growth and M&A activities worldwide.

Brent R. Orrell

Brent R. Orrell is a public policy professional with twenty years bipartisan experience in Congress and the executive branch. He is considered a thought leader in the areas of workforce development and other social policy issues. He brings strategic partnerships with senior leaders in federal, state, local, non-profit, and trade association sectors to his role on the Dare Mighty Things advisory board. Brent is the principal at The Fulcrum Group, LLC where he works with nonprofit and for-profit agencies seeking improved understanding of federal and state agencies, programs, and funding opportunities.