About Us
Pathways To Growth is a group of professionals who have found their passion…helping nonprofits reach their full potential in serving the urgent needs of their community.
Prepare Your Nonprofit For The Future
The Pathways To Growth Team helps nonprofits achieve high-impact growth and increased income generation through assessments for grant-readiness, grant research, grant writing, nonprofit management consulting, coaching, training, strategy development, and leadership development.
Wouldn’t it be great if there was one path in life that, if followed, would lead to guaranteed success? We would all be clamoring to get on that one path as early in life as possible! While that "one size fits all" path does not exist, there are unique paths for nonprofits that will lead to explosive success and growth.
At Pathways to Growth, we help you discover your unique pathway using proven success strategies and excellent, highly-relational client services. We will help you find and stay on your path to growth and success!
Who We Are
Empowering Nonprofits. Fueling Purpose. Creating Lasting Impact.
Pathways to Growth is a proudly woman-owned consulting firm dedicated to helping nonprofits grow with purpose, clarity, and sustainability. We specialize in comprehensive capacity-building solutions that empower organizations of every size and focus area to reach their next level of impact.
From grant writing and strategic planning to board training, coaching, and leadership development, we provide high-touch, high-impact services tailored to each client’s unique mission and goals. At P2G, we are passionate about helping people and organizations generate meaningful growth — not just in funding, but in vision, leadership, and long-term success.
We believe there is no one-size-fits-all approach to growth. That’s why we walk with each client to discover their
unique pathway to progress, using
proven strategies, deep sector experience, and
unparalleled client care.
Why We Serve
Guided by Purpose. Driven by Impact. Committed to You.
At Pathways to Growth, we don’t just serve nonprofits — we champion their missions, strengthen their leadership, and walk alongside them as trusted partners in lasting impact.
Our team is deeply passionate about helping organizations build capacity from the inside out — so they can operate more efficiently, expand their reach, and become more attractive to funders and donors. We’re not here for quick fixes — we’re here for meaningful transformation.
With over 30 years of hands-on experience managing, leading, and growing nonprofits, our leadership understands the challenges you face — because we’ve lived them. We know what it takes to run an effective, sustainable organization, and we bring those lessons, tools, and strategies to every client we serve.
We thrive on becoming a
long-term extension of your team — a partner who invests deeply in your growth and believes in your mission as much as you do.
Our Culture
At Pathways to Growth, our culture isn’t a poster on a wall — it’s how our team approaches every client relationship. We share it so you know what to expect when you work with us.
Since our founding in 2007, Pathways to Growth has built a highly skilled and professional team dedicated to helping nonprofits secure the funding they need to grow their impact. Our most basic commitment to every client is accountability — following through with the integrity required to produce quality work. We strive to become a vital part of our clients’ teams, and many of our clients continue to contract with us year after year. The culture described below is what makes that possible.
P2G was founded and is led with a Christian faith, and Psalm 16:11 — the promise that God makes known the path of life — guides our leadership. That foundation shapes a culture of integrity, purpose, and care for one another.
We work with and serve clients and partners of all faiths and backgrounds, and we hold every person we work with in the same respect and value, regardless of belief.
MEET OUR TEAM
Our team is trained both internationally and locally, so they understand your needs and the environment in which you do business.
FOUNDER & PRESIDENT
President
Julé Colvin
- Resides in: Florida
- Highest Degree: Bachelors
- Attended: Kent State University
- Grant Writing Since: 1986
- Fun Fact:
"I am a vocalist with experience singing professionally in a band, in chamber choirs and worship teams."
Julé’s passion for helping others grow to better impact the world for good led her to become a certified coach, trainer and speaker.
She has spent some 40 years in the business world helping individuals, nonprofit and for-profit businesses grow principally through coaching, training, strategic planning, leadership development and winning grants. She has helped to raise millions of dollars for charities throughout her career and has helped businesses of all sizes to flourish and reach new levels of growth. Her greatest successes have included helping to re-develop an inner city neighborhood through the development of affordable housing and high-impact programming, pulling together people and resources to address major social problems and growing her own business to a high level of success in a new market. She really enjoys helping people develop their leadership abilities and business acumen. Her goals are to help her clients focus, balance and achieve maximum impact.
Julé holds a degree (Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa Society) from Kent State University in Ohio. She is a certified coach, trainer and speaker through the John Maxwell Team. She is a business owner, wife, mother, grandmother, and volunteer. She leads such a fulfilled life and loves helping others to think big and go for it. She is known for her enthusiasm, integrity, passion to help others grow and her attention to detail. In her precious free time, you can find her riding her bike, volunteering or expressing her artistic side through interior decorating. She has been married for 35 years, has two children and two grandchildren.
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Julie Gillespie
Vice President of Production
- Resides in: Florida
- Joined the P2G Team: Sep 2020
- Highest Degree: Masters
- Attended: Suffolk University
- Notable Experience: Julie has secured millions of dollars working within non-profits on grant writing and proposal management and post-award administration. She has also held upper management positions in nonprofits, including but not limited to executive director, senior director, and vice president. Her grant writing and grant management experience spans a variety of areas including K-12 education, arts and culture, homelessness and emergency assistance, community development, healthcare, biotechnology and infectious disease and violence prevention.
Greg Sheek
Grant Specialist Team Lead
- Resides in: Alabama
- Joined the P2G Team: Oct 2023
- Highest Degree: Masters
- Attended: University of Georgia
- Notable Experience: Greg spent 15 years in economic development. During that time, he managed a statewide entrepreneurship development program, securing and managing over $1 million annually in state, federal, and private foundation grant funding. He is an active member of Hunter Street Baptist Church and serves as a high school parent booster for cross-country and soccer.
Shannon Walker
Grant Specialist Team Lead
- Resides in: Indiana
- Joined the P2G Team: July 2024
- Highest Degree: Masters
- Attended: Purdue University
- Notable Experience: Shannon is a grant strategist, writer, and nonprofit consultant with more than 15 years of experience across the full grant and fundraising lifecycle. She currently leads corporate, institutional, and government fundraising strategy for a portfolio of nonprofit clients. Previously, as Vice President at the Unity Foundation of La Porte County, she directed grant and community betterment programs and managed relationships with major partners, including the Lilly Endowment, securing transformational funding. Shannon holds a B.A. in Journalism and Public Relations from Franklin College (Indiana) and an M.S. in Technology, Leadership, and Innovation from Purdue University (Indiana), and is a graduate of the Indiana University School of Philanthropy's Executive Education program and the Mutz Philanthropic Leadership Institute (Indiana Philanthropy Alliance).
Tristan Walters
Manager of Partnerships and Growth
- Resides in: Virginia
- Joined the P2G Team: April 2026
- Highest Degree: Communication Studies
- Attended: Bridgewater College
- Notable Experience: Tristan is a disciplined and relational Operations Leader with 12+ years of experience in the nonprofit and workforce development sectors. She specializes in client intake management, grant operations, and partnership stewardship. She is passionate about building systems that ensure every lead is acknowledged with hospitality and every partner and client relationship is nurtured with integrity.
SUPPORT TEAM
Michael Goss
Director of Training
- Resides in: Mississippi
- Joined the P2G Team: Mar 2023
- Highest Degree: Bachelors
- Attended: North Central University
- Notable Experience: Michael brings 20+ years of leadership, management, strategy development and training experience to his role as Pathways to Growth’s Program Manager for Florida’s Responsible Fatherhood Initiative (RFI). In this role Michael leads a team of P2G training and coaching consultants along with developing program strategy and systems. Michael is an ordained minister with Worldwide Evangelism and also provides nonprofit consulting services designed to eliminate factors that limit growth and capitalize on factors that are catalyzing growth. He has served in numerous management roles along with serving as Director of Operations and Programs for a statewide ministry.
Linda Donegan, CPA
Accounting Support
- Resides in: Florida
- Joined the P2G Team: Aug 2016
- Highest Degree: Masters
- Attended: University of Central Florida
- Notable Experience: Linda became a CPA in 1983. Drawing from her vast business experience, she formed a virtual assistance company 2011 and now helps small to mid-sized business with their accounting and finance functions.
- Fun Fact: Linda and her husband, Dennis, enjoy five grandchildren, golfing, travel and reading."
RESEARCHERS, REVIEWERS & WRITERS
Pamela Ames-Coke, PhD
Grant Writer
- Resides in: Colorado
- Joined the P2G Team: Apr 2022
- Highest Degree: PhD
- Attended: University of Iowa
- Grant Writing Since: 1992
- Fun Fact: When Pam is not writing, she enjoys spending time with her husband, son, and dogs.
Valarie Bostic
Grant Writer/Reviewer
- Resides in: Florida
- Joined the P2G Team: Jan 2022
- Highest Degree: Bachelors
- Attended: State University College of New York
- Grant Writing Since:
- Fun Fact: In 2016, Valarie received a “Women of Distinction” award for her achievements in early education.
Alaina Cunningham
Grant Reviewer
- Resides in: Hawaii
- Joined the P2G Team: Oct 2022
- Highest Degree: Masters
- Attended: Eastern Washington University
- Grant Writing Since: 1996
- Fun Fact: "I have worked in the public, private and non-profit sectors."
Diane DiGiacomo
Grant Reviewer
- Resides in: Florida
- Joined the P2G Team: Oct 2020
- Highest Degree: Masters
- Attended: American University
- Grant Writing Since: 1990
- Fun Fact: Diane has spent over 30 years serving in the philanthropic sector.
Sharon Fennell-Kennedy
Grant Writer/ Reviewer
- Resides in: Florida
- Joined the P2G Team: Sep 2016
- Highest Degree: Bachelors
- Attended: State University College of New York
- Grant Writing Since: 1994
- Fun Fact: "I am curious and desire to dig deeper to find answers."
Debra Marcus
Grant Writer/Reviewer
- Resides in: Florida
- Joined the P2G Team: May 2020
- Highest Degree: Bachelors
- Attended: Michigan State University
- Conducting Research Since: 1982
- Fun Fact: "We had beehives and sold honey at local markets."
Carolyn Miller
Grant Writer
- Resides in: Florida
- Joined the P2G Team: Jan 2011
- Highest Degree: Bachelors
- Attended: Union College
- Grant Writing Since: 2008
- Fun Fact: She loves supporting and serving nonprofits.
Janet Miller
Grant Writer/Researcher
- Resides in: Pennsylvania
- Joined the P2G Team: Jun 2020
- Highest Degree: Masters
- Attended: Northeastern University
- Grant Writing Since: 2016
- Hobbies: Exercising, traveling, volunteering, working, and spending time with young adult/teens Jillian and Ben
We are always looking for experienced, passionate and dedicated writers to join our team. Send a cover letter and resume to: info@pathwaystogrowth.us
