ABOUT US
Our professionals have decades of experience in making connections and building communities across the Chattanooga region, the U.S., and the world. Our combined knowledge empowers organizations to build pathways to better health, stronger resources, and a better place to live. Our projects are consultant driven and have a tangible impact on local communities.

Stefanie deOlloqui
Founder & Principal
Stefanie’s work focuses on policy, practice, research, funding, and projects that have a tangible impact on local communities. Her expertise in strategic organizational and program development has garnered effective and sustainable outcomes for clients. Working in partnership with Chattanooga area nonprofits since 2008, Stefanie has been instrumental in securing external funding of over $6.8 million to support projects that benefit the Chattanooga community. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Resources and Labor Relations, with honors, from the University of New York, Stony Brook University, The State University of New York and a Master of Health Education from Purdue University.

Ruthie Thompson
Outreach & Communications Specialist
Ruthie is masterful at using digital and print communications tools to weave common goals into movements for change. For over a decade, she has compelled the Chattanooga region to energize around their natural assets, vibrant communities, and unique lifestyle. Ruthie has won the admiration of top local business, nonprofit, and government leaders as an expert in leading community wide engagement through public speaking, facilitation, and digital and print communications to diverse audiences. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Writing and Communications, with honors, from Maryville College.

Valerie Chandler
Business Process & Efficiency Strategist
Valerie’s superpower is discovering ways to do all things efficiently and effectively. She prides herself on being “insanely organized” and consistently overdelivers. After two decades in product marketing and advertising, she's accustomed to managing multi-million-dollar budgets, product launches, and implementation plans. Since leaving the corporate world in 2018, Valerie now works with local nonprofits to ensure they have the plans, policies, processes, and technology in place to support programs and activities essential to their success. In 2020, Valerie was charged with decoding, creating infrastructure, managing data, and communicating information to implement projects that totaled more than $2.1 million dollars in awarded funds.
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Angela Garcia
Marketing & Latino Outreach Strategist
With 18 years of experience working with the growing Latino communities in the Chattanooga and surrounding areas, Angela offers strategies to build trust and establish long lasting relationships with this population. Angela served as the Director of Business Development for La Paz Chattanooga, where she led the Compania initiative. Prior to this, Angela acted as Latino Market Key Account Manager for Coca-Cola Bottling Co. UNITED, In addition, she has more than 10 years of experience in media, content development and Spanish publications.

Christa Mannarino
Strategic Planning & Philanthropy Specialist
Christa Mannarino, a Chattanooga-native, has been successful in start-ups, nonprofits and well-established companies serving as project manager, executive director and chief fundraiser. Her areas of expertise include organizational change, leadership transitions, executive coaching, strategy and philanthropy.
Christa earned her master’s degree in business administration, is a professional facilitator, and holds the international Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) certification.

Jenny Pack
Nonprofit Organization Strategist
Jenny exudes out-of-the-box thinking that creates innovative strategies for her clients. Her successes in education, business ownership, and nonprofit management have given her versatility and excellent problem-solving skills. Stewardship and servant leadership principles guide her approach, making her a motivational force to help people and businesses focus on the “why” of their actions, build resilience, and increase capacity. Her areas of expertise include mission development, team building, strategy and processes. Jenny is finishing her dissertation to conclude her Master of Science in applied positive psychology and coaching; for which much of her writing centers on Positive Organizational Scholarship.

Chinyere Ubamadu
Marketing & PR Strategist
Chinyere has a gift for connecting subject matter experts with local and regional media. She has successfully secured media attention and press coverage with top media outlets, for companies in various sectors, including healthcare, nonprofits, and financial firms. Translating corporate messaging into customer facing content for use in web copy, blogs, social postings, newsletters and general sales assets for a host of leading companies, has been a real strategic focus over the course of her career. As a marketing communications professional, she has made her mark over the last decade helping companies with brand development, digital communications and executing community wide campaigns. Chinyere holds a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications and Broadcast Journalism, with honors, from Emerson College.