Our team

They specialize in scalable web and mobile applications tailored to international markets. Global Innovators ensures businesses expand confidently while leveraging cutting-edge technologies.

CodeCraft Experts build custom platforms and automate complex business processes, ensuring long-term reliability and efficiency.

Digital Pioneers adopt the latest technologies—UI/UX, cloud, and automation—to create cutting-edge solutions for modern businesses.

Agile Builders focus on rapid development, quality, and collaboration—perfect for evolving projects that require flexibility and speed.

NextGen Developers implement AI, automation, and cloud solutions, ensuring scalable, modern applications that drive business growth.

Insight Analysts conduct deep-dive industry reports, evaluate risk factors, and support leadership with strategic recommendations. Their work helps clients make confident data-backed decisions.

Team members hold degrees in data analytics, economics, and business intelligence from top universities, with experience in multinational market research firms.

The team gathers cross-border business intelligence, evaluates regulatory frameworks, and compiles accurate reports for market entry projects.

Members come from backgrounds in international relations, law, public policy, and corporate research.

The team analyzes innovation cycles, AI advancements, digital transformation patterns, and investment trends to guide forward-focused strategies.

Members include futurists, analysts, and researchers with expertise in technology, business evolution, and predictive modeling.

The Strategic Advisory Group provides end-to-end consulting for expansion, restructuring, and organizational development. They assess internal capabilities, align business functions, and guide companies through competitive landscapes.

Team members come from backgrounds in corporate strategy, management consulting, and global business operations — with experience advising Fortune 500 companies.

This team handles licensing, corporate governance, regulatory documentation, policy reviews, and risk mitigation related to local and international compliance.

Members include legal consultants, policy advisors, and compliance auditors with experience across sectors such as finance, healthcare, and trade.

The team audits workflows, streamlines procedures, designs SOP systems, and builds operational frameworks that support scalability and growth.

Members have backgrounds in operations, process engineering, Lean Six Sigma, and business optimization.

These officers collect market data, supervise regional activities, maintain client relationships, and ensure smooth communication between field operations and the main office.

Their experience covers logistics, community coordination, field reporting, and operational support for both domestic and international projects.

They gather community feedback, support local partnerships, organize field events, and assist with CSR and development initiatives.

Their backgrounds include community development, communication, public outreach, and social program management.

The Process Auditors Team conducts in-depth reviews of operational workflows, documentation, SOPs, risk areas, and performance gaps. They assess how work is being performed, compare it against expected standards, and provide detailed recommendations to improve efficiency, quality, and compliance.

Team members are certified in quality management systems, internal auditing, and process optimization frameworks such as ISO, Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen. Their role is crucial for organizations seeking transparency, performance improvement, and operational excellence.

Maps and evaluates operational workflows. Recommends automation and digitization. Measures KPIs and evaluates performance. Reduces process waste using Lean methodologies.

Performs spot audits & site inspections. Ensures field-level SOP compliance. Validates physical assets and operations. Coordinates with field supervisors.

Reviews documentation accuracy. Matches written SOPs with field operations. Updates and standardizes process manuals. Ensures version control & documentation safety.

Evaluates ERP, CRM, POS systems. Monitors digital workflow effectiveness. Identifies cybersecurity compliance issues. Ensures proper system access controls.

Prior to joining the team, Robin served northern New England nonprofits in various financial and management leadership roles for more than three decades. She spent nearly seven years as the Chief Financial Officer of Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health, the largest private employer in the state of New Hampshire, during which time she established and chaired the system-wide environmental sustainability council that recognized human health and the health of our natural environment are fundamentally interconnected. Most recently, Robin was the vice president of operations and finance for the Upper Valley Land Trust, helping rural communities permanently protect forests, wildlife habitat, water resources, trails and scenic landscapes.

Robin holds a B.S. from Bentley University, an MBA from the University System of New Hampshire, a master’s in healthcare delivery science from Dartmouth College, and a master’s in environmental sciences from Antioch University New England. She is also a graduate of the Leadership New Hampshire Program and Certified Public Accountant licensed in New
Hampshire.

Robin currently lives with her wife and daughter in Cornish, New Hampshire. She enjoys the inspiration of the natural world, traveling, watercolor painting, and photography.

Before joining the organization, Kirstin worked as a program associate at the University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension, where she evaluated the impact of youth development programs in rural Wisconsin. Her professional experience includes research project work in digital labor, low-income mobile technology interventions, and social capital building in the gig economy. Kirstin holds a master’s degree in international development from the University of Edinburgh and is based in central Wisconsin.

Originally from the United Kingdom, Nick is an accomplished leader in rural economic development and growth strategy. He has been recognized for his inclusive approach toward regional sustainability and is driven by the creation of replicable, scalable solutions. Nick has extensive experience in recruitment, retention and expansion projects, public-private partnerships, nonprofit development, impact investing, community development, and entrepreneurship consultancy.

Before joining the team, Nick launched and directed a 24-month pilot initiative in conjunction with the Kansas Department of Commerce to evaluate and support the workforce development needs of the Kansan tech sector and bring technology-focused education and employment opportunities to underserved communities across the state. During this time, he targeted access to computational learning for PreK-12 students, becoming a partner on the code.org (CSTA) advocacy coalition.

Nick and his family are now anchored in the heartland community of Phillipsburg, Kansas — the rural childhood hometown of his wife, Tami.

She also co-created and led Singularity’s diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts and contributed to the design and execution of International Summits for executive and startup audiences of 2,000-plus attendees per event across 15 countries.

Molly holds an M.S. in social work from Columbia University focusing on social enterprise administration, international social welfare, and services to immigrants and refugees, along with B.S. degrees in social work and international affairs from Florida State University. She grew up in the historic small town of Saint Augustine, Florida.

Before joining RISI, Drew worked as a pricing analyst for an aerospace manufacturing company. Drew was encouraged to pursue business improvement projects through the use of data analytics. This resulted in designing and implementing processes to generate high-quality data for decision-makers and stakeholders.

Growing up in the White Mountains, Drew developed an understanding and appreciation for rural communities. He holds a B.S. from Portland State University and an M.S. in resource economics and policy, and a Graduate Certificate in geographic information systems from the University of Maine. Drew currently lives in New Hampshire with his wife and animals.

Lindsey’s empirical work has been published in The Journal of Crime & Justice, The American Journal of Criminal Justice, and he has several manuscripts under review for publication at major academic journals.

Lindsey is currently completing the final requirements to earn a Ph.D. from the University at Albany-SUNY. His dissertation focuses on the impact of Right to Work state laws, economic development, and rural communities. His long-term goals are to bring about lasting place-based economic policy changes to the Black Belt South of the United States, an area that has traditionally been under-studied and under-served by researchers, policymakers, and key stakeholders.

Prior to joining the team, Diego worked as a senior program manager for The LaunchPad and as a lecturer at the University of Texas at Austin. He taught and co-led entrepreneurship courses, oversaw diverse entrepreneurship support programs, mentored students and startup teams, and shaped strategic initiatives. Before that, he worked for the City of Del Rio where he successfully initiated and managed a groundbreaking business incubator program, secured substantial grant funding, and played a pivotal role in revitalizing the Main Street district while coordinating economic development efforts.

Originally from the rural town of Del Rio, Texas, he is now based in Austin, where he enjoys outdoor activities such as mountain biking, hiking, or even a pick-up soccer game at the park.

Prior to joining the team, Trish was deputy director with Region 10 League for Economic Assistance and Planning, working with western Colorado communities on economic diversification and resiliency for both rural coal-impacted, agricultural, and resort communities. She has extensive history working with nonprofits, local, state, and federal governments.

Trish holds a master’s degree from University of Northern Colorado and a bachelor’s from University Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Trish grew up in Hastings, Minnesota, and after living in various areas of the country, now lives outside the small town of Olathe, Colorado, where she enjoys gardening and the beauty and diversity of western Colorado.

Prior to joining the team, Meganne was an experienced local government administrator working for and with local governments in West Virginia, Kentucky, and Colorado. Most recently, Meganne served as Assistant to the City Manager for the City of Delta on Colorado’s Western Slope. At this post, one of Meganne’s responsibilities was creating and managing the implementation of the City’s strategy for reducing homelessness. 

Meganne has a Bachelor’s Degree in History and a Masters of Public Administration both from West Virginia University. Her love of rural communities stems from growing up in Webster Springs, WV, a small mountain town with a population of less than 700 people. Meganne currently resides in Montrose, CO with her two dogs Shannon and Gidget. She enjoys reading and exploring the Saun Juan and West Elk mountains.

Before joining the team, Josh worked as a senior program manager at Qwasar Silicon Valley, where he played a crucial role in developing and implementing technical training programs worldwide. Prior to that, he gained valuable experience managing member benefits and creating entrepreneurship programs at a coworking space in downtown Seattle. He’s no stranger to startups either, having co-founded a small e-commerce venture while in college.

Outside of work, you’ll find Josh enjoying quality time with his dog, exploring local coffee shops, and mentoring startup founders. Originally from the small town of Atlantic Beach, Florida, he now calls Seattle, Washington, home.

Nora came to her role after having worked directly with community leaders as a Simplify Business Consultancy Initiative Community Manager, and having previously supported SBC and RISI’s operations teams. 

Before joining the SBC/RISI team, she worked on various local and statewide campaigns, at an environmental planning and consulting firm in the Pacific Northwest, and in the communications department at a political action committee. She also served one year as a City Year Boston Corps Member. A Vermont native, Nora currently lives in Windsor, Vermont, and holds a bachelor’s degree from Lewis & Clark College.

In her accomplished career, Sparkle has become synonymous with excellence in managing the full spectrum of talent acquisition and people operations. Her passion for the nonprofit sector is evident in her unwavering commitment to enhancing economic opportunities and advocating for systemic change to uplift underserved communities. Her approach is not just about policies and strategies; it’s about weaving a culture that resonates with every member of the organization, fostering a sense of belonging and mutual respect.

Beyond her professional accolades, Sparkle’s life is rich with personal joys that keep her grounded and inspired. Traveling opens new horizons for her, family time is her sanctuary, and the companionship of her beloved dogs brings her immeasurable happiness. These experiences are not just pastimes; they are integral to her holistic approach to leadership, infusing her work with empathy, balance, and a deep-seated passion for making a difference within and beyond the office.

Before joining the team, Emily built and led a multi-year, integrated communications and marketing strategy for Third Sector Capital Partners that heightened awareness of the nonprofit consulting firm and the impact of its work re-structuring $800 million in human service contracts in 40-plus communities. She has also driven communications for Campus Compact, National Fund for Workforce Solutions, and the Boston-based think tank MassINC. In these roles, she elevated innovative solutions to critical policy issues affecting under-resourced and underrepresented communities. Prior to entering the nonprofit field, she worked on several Massachusetts political campaigns.

Emily holds a bachelor’s degree from St. Bonaventure University and a master’s degree from Suffolk University. She was born and raised in rural central New York state and currently resides in Massachusetts.

Growing up in the Pennsylvania Wilds, Chelsea experienced firsthand both the challenges and the strengths of rural communities. That background fuels her commitment to SBC’s mission of advancing economic opportunity and innovation in small towns. She is deeply motivated to help highlight and expand the potential of rural places like the one she calls home.

Outside of work, Chelsea enjoys training and competing with her English Cocker Spaniel, Tilde, in a variety of dog sports. She is an avid scrapbooker, nature art collector, and loves outdoor adventures. A lifelong traveler, she believes that travel fosters empathy, respect, and understanding across cultures, values that inspire both her personal and professional life.

Jay began his career advising on mergers and acquisitions at Gleacher & Co. and Allen & Company. Subsequently, Jay spent a decade at NBCUniversal, which culminated in his running strategy and development for the Entertainment and Digital Networks division.

After NBCU, Jay joined Emigrant Bank where he served as Executive Advisor to the Chairman and led investments in several small growth businesses.

Jay has a BA from Princeton University’s School of Public Policy and International Affairs as well as certificate degrees in East Asian Studies and Japanese Language

Melissa brings nearly two decades of experience in the nonprofit sector, where she focused on advancing health equity and building strategic partnerships through her work with global health organizations. Her passion for entrepreneurship was sparked during her time at a high-growth technology startup, where she was energized by the pace, creativity, and problem-solving mindset of early-stage founders. That experience ultimately led her to SBC, where she’s proud to support mission-driven startups building impactful solutions from rural communities across Vermont.

Melissa holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the School of Visual Arts in New York City, where her interest in under-resourced communities first took shape through storytelling in film and animation. She later earned a Master of Public Health from NYU and is currently completing a Certificate of Specialization in Business in Society from Harvard Business School Online.

Originally from a small beach town in New Jersey, Melissa now lives in Jamaica, Vermont, a small town at the base of Stratton Mountain. In the warmer months, you’ll find her digging in the dirt on her family’s regenerative farm, hiking nearby trails, or enjoying a favorite swimming hole. When the snow falls, she’s out on her snowboard, teaching her toddler the joys of board sports.