As a collaborative of visionary development professionals we form strategic partnerships with individuals and organizations who share our mission and values.

Our network reaches across the global landscape.  We are currently involved with projects in the United States, Africa, as well as Europe and Asia. Special areas of program interest include the role of religion and faith in society, education, health care, climate change and integrative and holistic paradigms.  At GRE Consulting we are intensifying our focus toward organizations that have devoted their efforts toward serving high need communities.

If you have a heart for helping mission driven organizations with integrity to become more effective, we invite you to consider partnering with us! We have opportunities for grant interns, joining our speakers bureau, or serving as a consultant in a special area of expertise.  

Please contact us at  info@greconsulting.org.

 

Colleagues and Associates

 

Samuel Mahaffy, MA, PhD Pre-Cand.
Executive Director
Samuel Mahaffy has served as Executive Director of GRE Consulting since it was first established by Dr. Renee Rinderknecht and Dr. Jeanne Far. He brings more than 30 years experience in non-profit management, facilitation, and fundraising. Over the past years, his grant applications have received funding from six federal agencies and many foundations. His training includes marketing, conflict resolution, mediation, public relations, and facilitation of organizational change using the Appreciative Inquiry model. More than 500 non-profit organizations have benefited from his expertise.

 

Samuel Mahaffy Resume

Dr. Renee Durdaana Rinderknecht
Educational Consultant
Dr. Rinderknecht is one of the co-founders of GRE Consulting. She has more than 30 years experience in education in leadership roles in both the public and private sector. At every level of K-12 education, she has provided administrative oversight, staff training, and program evaluation. She has been instrumental in helping educational organizations work through challenges, take steps toward accreditation and meeting high standards, and returning to the focus and purpose of their work. Her PhD from the California Institute of Integral Studies focuses on “The Experience of Teaching from an Open and Engaged Heart”. She is the founder of the Center for Heart Presence and Professional Development.

Sarah Peterson, M.Div.
Program Specialist
Sarah Peterson has a Master of Divinity degree with an emphasis in Writing As Ministry from Earlham School of Religion (Religious Society of Friends), Richmond, Indiana. She has specific training in Quaker spirituality and discernment practices. Quaker spirituality and discernment practices deeply shape the facilitation work we lead at GRE Consulting, and has been formative in leadership development in educational and congregational settings. Sarah has been a participant in numerous Committees for Clearness, as convener, clerk, recorder, and participant. She has experience in program planning and delivery, collaboration with local and statewide advocacy groups, managing internal and external communications, and managing communication of nonprofit Board of Directors to effectively meet organizational needs. Additional experience includes designing and facilitating a day-long board training retreat on refining organizational mission and priorities, and collaborating with educators and D.C.-based government and nonprofit organizations to create educational and service-learning programs for high school and college groups. She is a successful writer and editor in many settings for diverse audiences, including nonprofit newsletters and promotional publications, congregational newsletters, academic books and journals, and religious education curriculum. Also, she is a published essayist, poet, and creative writer.

Laska Cordero
Marketing Associate
Laska Cordero brings a wealth of personal experience to position. With a combination of marketing education, small business ownership and a flair for creativity Laska looks for ways to "think outside of the box" for ways to develop and promote your program or project.  She is currently focusing on grant funding for housing and technology to serve high need communities. In that capacity, she is assisting in developing grants from the conceptual stage to the finished product. Her attention to detail, follow-up, and ability to visualize how community needs can be met, makes her a great asset to our organization.

Andrew Holguin
Community Organizer
In addition to being an Associate of GRE Consulting, Andrew Holguin is the founder and CEO of Inland Northwest Community Services. Fluent in Spanish, Andrew has a great gift for community organizing at the grassroots level. His facilitation of meetings in tribal and migrant communities has led to community leaders empowering change that has brought educational and health care opportunities to many. Andrew has experience in import-export, international banking, and access to higher education for minority communities.

Michael Collier
Legislative Affairs Consultant
Michael Collier has stood for many years at the intersection of faith-based concerns and the legislative process. He has worked nationally and internationally with faith-based organizations and is deeply versed in the traditions, liturgies, and cultures of many mainstream denominations. An accomplished musician, his voice has been an inspiration in worship services across the United States and in other countries. He has participated in inter-faith dialogues, facilitated engagement of the Christian community in America with communities in third world countries, and has been a relentless advocate for both faith-based involvement in public affairs and appropriate boundaries and separation between church and state. His expertise is of great help in our contact with legislators and members of the U.S. Congress on behalf of our faith-based clients.

Dr. Shabir Bhat
Management Consultant
Dr. Bhat has a long association with the staff of GRE Consulting Associates. A full professor at the University of Kashmir, Srinigar, India, Dr. Bhat is recognized as a capable scholar and consultant in the area of management consulting. He brings great expertise to assisting organizations in developing effective management teams and strategies. Versed in the theory and practice of corporate business culture, he has an incredible heart for non-profit leadership that is seeking to act compassionately to help those most in need, within the context of effective business practice. Dr. Bhat is fluent in many languages of the Middle East.

Don DeVon
Consultant for Tribal and Native American Affairs
Don DeVon has received the highest national recognition for his work as a Counselor for Native American Students. He has experience in many tribal contexts, and is a relentless advocate for the success of Native students in higher education. He has been a participant in many grant-funded projects to open access to higher education for high need communities. We are honored to have Don DeVon as an Associate of GRE Consulting.

Kwame Mpare
Technology Consultant
Michael Mpare has a Masters degree in Business Administration and a BA in Computer Science from Whitworth University, Spokane Washington. He is a creative and capable software program designer. His innovative work is establishing a unique portal to connect applicants with higher education institutions across the United States. Michael Mpare developed and manages the website for GRE Consulting Associates. Born and raised in Ghana, East Africa, Michael is fluent in several languages and has international business experience that is of great value to our clients.

Dr. Jeanne Far
In Loving Memory
Dr. Jeanne Far was one of the founders of GRE Consulting. She was a nationally recognized leader in developing the Small Group Norms Challenging Model. Many universities and organizations have used this model effectively as a prevention model to minimize high risk drinking. Her work in substance abuse prevention has received recognition from the U.S. Department of Education and from many agencies. Loved by many, Dr. Jeanne Far was a fierce advocate for empowering individuals and organizations in recovery. She inspired and challenged many. With courage she stood up against injustice, challenged stereotypes, and nurtured hope for a better future. It is our honor to have had Dr. Jeanne Far as a Colleague, Associate, and Friend during the last years of her life. GRE Consulting Associates is collecting and hopes to publish the writings and works of Jeanne. We invite you to share your memories and stories of how she has touched your life and your work. ‘Jeanne Alive’—as she signed her name—passed on in the fall of 2007. Her work and her legacy are still alive and an inspiration to each of us who knew and loved her.