Larry Clark is passionate about social change. He recognized the need for entrepreneurial thinking and leadership in the health and human service sector through his extensive work with nonprofit organizations across the country. Inspired by the work of his own organization as a successful social enterprise, Larry led the team in September 2005 that founded MissionWise, the division of C.H.E.F. that helps nonprofits become stronger and more sustainable in their efforts to eliminate health inequities.

During his twenty-four-year career at Comprehensive Health Education Foundation, Larry has led several important strategic initiatives that have shaped the vitality and future direction of the organization. Most recently, he recognized the rapidly-changing health education landscape and marketplace, and determined the need to position the organization’s school-based products for intellectual-property sale to Discovery Communications. Over the years, these products contributed significantly to the growth and financial well-being of the organization. In addition, Larry led the strategic initiative to refocus the organization uniquely on the elimination of health inequities among health and human service nonprofits, specifically through grant-making, public policy, and direct consulting work.

Through his extensive work in philanthropy and with health and human service organizations, Larry is nationally recognized by both sectors as a cutting-edge thinker and innovative leader. He is a frequent and distinguished speaker on topics pertaining to social enterprise and entrepreneurial thinking in the nonprofit sector, and has developed unique expertise in income generation, intellectual property development, and strategic partnerships.

Larry has been active on several national boards representing a combination of foundations, community-based organizations, and coalitions. He currently serves on the Grantmakers in Aging board, the Center for Social and Emotional Education advisory, and recently, served on the boards of Community Anti Drug Coalitions of America, the Social Enterprise Alliance, Philanthropy Northwest, and the Local Initiative Funding Partners advisory for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Larry earned his BS in Community Health Education from Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington.

Ned is responsible for identifying, managing and maximizing the impact of numerous partnership relationships and programs, including relationships with philanthropic partners, knowledge partners, and other social sector partners. In addition, he provides business and strategic planning consultation, training, and coaching to organizations in the social sector. Ned also assists with the development of the MissionWise model and provides guidance to other staff and consultants.

Ned has worked in the social sector for over 14 years, predominantly in social services and philanthropy. In 2001, he joined the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation to develop program substance and was also responsible for the development and management of a portfolio of grants. Prior to that, Ned was a program assistant in the MacArthur Foundation’s Conservation and Sustainable Development Program. Ned holds a Master’s in Nonprofit Administration from the University of San Francisco. Ned joined C.H.E.F. in 2006.

Laura is responsible for establishing, monitoring, and facilitating the systems and processes required for the effective delivery of MissionWise offerings, including Webinars, developing and overseeing project plans, budgets and timelines. She is also responsible for developing, monitoring and refinement of the systems to support the MissionWise division, including internal communications.

Laura received her Bachelor of Science degree in Community Health from Central Washington University. She is a current member and former board member of the Pacific Northwest Society of Public Heath Education, as well as a current member of Eta Sigma Gamma, a professional honor in Health Education, and the Social Enterprise Alliance. Laura joined C.H.E.F. in 2000.

Kathy is responsible for collaborating on the content development and the evaluation of MissionWise programs, products and services to assure measurable outcomes on investment. She provides leadership and expertise for integrating current research findings into the development process and conducting outcome evaluations across the organization. In addition, Kathy provides leadership, vision and management of the Philanthropic division and works to establish key strategic relationships with individuals, state and national governmental agencies, corporations and other agencies and organizations. She is responsible for both short and long range planning of the organization’s business and social objectives.

Kathy has been working in the prevention field for over 25 years, both as a practitioner and as a researcher. Kathy has a bachelor’s degree in political science and education, a master’s degree in counseling, and a PhD in educational policy and leadership. She joined C.H.E.F. in 2002.

Michelle supports the MissionWise team in all aspects of financial management, including budgeting, forecasting, project tracking, invoicing and accounts receivable.

Dylan is an experienced entrepreneur who is masterful at working with individuals and teams within organizations. He has a strong background in operations, management, and business principles. He is a regular guest lecturer at a number of educational institutions, and serves on several nonprofit boards and committees, including the San Mateo Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. He has an MBA from the University of San Francisco, and a B.S. in Computer Science from Sonoma State University.

Colette has more than 15 years leading creative and engaging programs for Fortune 500 companies, government and nonprofit organizations across the United States. Her expertise includes Organization Development, Stress Management, Team Building and Workplace Diversity. Adept at learning her client’s needs, she has coached and trained numerous individuals in communication skills and leadership principles. Her business and consulting experience spans the Consumer Products, Financial Services, Healthcare, nonprofit, and Professional Service industries.

Colette graduated cum laude from Dartmouth College with a B.A. in English, and from New York University, where she was a Dean’s Scholar, with an M.P.A. in Public Finance.

Kirsten has a broad background in developing strategy and conducting business planning for nonprofit, business, and government clients. She is particularly adept at working with clients to turn challenges into opportunities and is skilled in bringing diverse stakeholders together to realize a common vision.

Kirsten is a principal and founder of Social Enterprise Group, LLC, where she specializes in assisting nonprofit and business clients in developing comprehensive strategic plans, developing social enterprise business plans, and building organizational capacity. Earlier in her career, she was Administrator of Strategic Planning at Casey Family Programs, where she led the development and implementation of their five-year plan, and consulted on organizational management and strategy issues. Kirsten was also a consultant with KPMG Peat Marwick, specializing in management, technology, and organizational development consulting for health and human service agencies.

Ernie specializes in entrepreneurship, business planning, information technology, and operations. His experience as an executive, manager, coach, educator, and trainer gives him a strong background in leadership responsibility for technology and systems in most types of organizations.

Ernie has several entrepreneurial ventures of his own and is CEO of The Systems Thinking Company, an education and consulting organization focused on achieving individual and organizational success from a systems perspective.

Ernie was an adjunct college professor for more than 25 years and has taught courses in entrepreneurship and innovation, leadership development, technology management, and organizational change at the University of Washington, Antioch University, and Seattle Pacific University. He holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and a Master’s in Software Engineering from Seattle University, and an M.B.A. and a B.S. in Computer Science from California State University. Ernie is currently pursuing his Master’s in Global Supply Chain Management at University of Alaska Anchorage.

Jeff Leschensky is the founder and principal consultant of the Community Renaissance Group. Jeff has 18 years experience in all areas of management and resource development (capital campaigns, annual funds, planned giving, grant writing, prospect research, and stewardship programs.) Jeff’s professional experience includes: Founding Executive Director of the Alaska Community Foundation; Director of Development and Foundation Director of the Cedar Rapids Symphony (an orchestra called "a model for the nation" by TIME Magazine in 1993), prospect research consultant and grant writer to the Northland Foundation (Duluth, MN), Prospect Researcher and Associate Consultant for two national fund-raising consulting firms, and Interim Executive Director of the American Lung Association of Alaska. Jeff recently completed 9 years as a faculty member and Research Coordinator at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota in their Philanthropy & Development graduate program. Jeff holds a Master of Arts Degree in Philanthropy & Development from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota (Winona, MN) and a Bachelors Degree from Luther College (Decorah, IA).

Jessica is a management consultant, working in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors of Seattle. She has managed everything from the outreach efforts of grassroots educational programs to the internal personnel and training systems of virtual companies to the reduction of environmental impact by large Microsoft conferences. Additionally, Jessica volunteers as the president of the board for Passages Northwest, a local non-profit dedicated to inspiring courage and leadership in girls through outdoor experiential education. She is a graduate of the Bainbridge Graduate Institute, holding an MBA in sustainable business.

Denise enhances communication and productivity between and among diverse groups through organization development practice, project management, and promoting diversity as organization strategy—building capacity in organizations to anticipate and thrive in change. She has over 15 years experience in operations and communications, working within philanthropy as well as the for-profit sector, including work at "Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation" and David and Lucile Packard Foundation. Denise brings a unique set of skills as a behavioral specialist with a knack for process design and implementation. Her background includes internal communication strategy, group facilitation, training, and cross-cultural and international consulting. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Stanford University, received her project management certification from the U.C. Berkeley Extension, and has a master's of science in organization development from Pepperdine University.

Michael Oxman was one of the founding members of MissionWise when it was launched in September 2005. Since then, Michael has worked with a broad range of community-based agencies, coalitions, and foundations in the health and human service sector.

Before joining MissionWise, Michael was an advertising and communications executive at Euro RSCG in the firm’s Chicago office. During his time at Euro RSCG, Michael led strategic brand development for Walgreens, one of its largest private sector clients, and also initiated his strategic work in the public sector for Comprehensive Health Education Foundation (C.H.E.F.). Prior to joining Euro RSCG, Michael worked as Senior Vice President at D'Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles in its Detroit office, leading strategic brand development for the Cadillac Motor Car Division of General Motors. Earlier in his career, Michael held executive positions at other leading advertising agencies, advising large clients on brand strategy such as Chiquita Brands Worldwide, The Iams Pet Food Company, and The Stroh Brewery Company.

Michael earned his BA in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his MS in Advertising from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism in Chicago.

As a MissionWise consultant, Melissa provides training, coaching, and other direct services to our clients. She has more than 20 years experience as a leader in both the profit and nonprofit sectors. Previously, she was vice president at one of the nation’s top ten public relations firms. With an emphasis on entrepreneurial and mission-oriented clients, her work generated visibility and credibility for companies and causes in health and human services, technology, retail, finance, communications and automotive fields. Her background also includes leadership roles in the social sector, as director of product development and chief operating officer for the creators of some of the most widely used health education programs in the country. Melissa has a bachelor’s degree in visual communications from Western Washington University.

Desmond has worked to expand access to health care services and reduce health inequities for 25 years. He was the Executive Director of the Community Health Center of Snohomish County during a period of rapid growth in which patient visits expanded from 19,000 in 1992 to over 82,000 in 2001. From 1998 to 2001, Desmond was Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Community Health Plan of Washington, the fourth largest health insurance plan in the state with over 200,000 enrollees and revenues of $330,000,000. He served on the Board of Directors of Adaptis, a for-profit computer services company. Skubi is a certified nurse midwife who directed maternity services at Indian Health Management Inc., a community health center on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation from 1982 to 1987 and at General Hospital Medical Center in Everett, Washington from 1987 to 1993. He worked as a Registered Nurse on the Crow and Navajo Reservations. Desmond holds a Masters in Science degree from the University of Utah and graduated magna cum laude from the University of Washington, with degrees in nursing and anthropology.