About Us

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

Pathways to Growth is a woman-owned company that specializes in helping nonprofits build their capacity in a comprehensive manner. We offer a wide spectrum of services designed to help organizations of all sizes and types reach their next level of sustainability. We are passionate about helping people, organizations, and businesses achieve high-impact growth and increased income generation through grant writing, coaching, training, strategic planning, board training, and leadership development. At P2G we help our clients discover their unique pathway to growth using proven success strategies and excellent, highly relational client services.

 

Pathways to Growth was founded by Julé Colvin in 2006 in Tampa, Florida. The company now employs a team of over 25 nonprofit professionals and grant writers. P2G’s writing team boasts over 100 years of combined grant writing experience. The team works with clients of all types and sizes across the country with diverse focus areas that include Judeo-Christian ministries, community, and economic development, hunger, social services, affordable housing, homelessness, transportation, education, veterans, healthcare, child welfare, professional associations, immigration, criminal justice reform, and museums.

 

Most of P2G’s team members have served in a wide variety of nonprofit roles in their careers including serving as grant writers, executive directors, program managers, directors of development, and board members, just to name a few. This vast experience enables us to bring a broad knowledge base to our clients. We help our clients to develop strong programs and organizations that demonstrate high-impact measurable outcomes, excellent leadership, thoughtful planning, and long-term sustainability, all of which are critical components to successful grant-seeking and organizational growth.

 

P2G has been serving nonprofit clients in the Tampa Bay and across the country for over fifteen years. Each year we have continued to add new nonprofit professionals to our team to meet demand along with increasing the number and size of our nonprofit clients. While we started the company by serving a few smaller nonprofits, our clients now include statewide and national clients with a wide variety of focus areas ranging from social services to health organizations to museums to educational organizations. We estimate that approximately 95% of our business comes from referrals. Our reputation has continued to grow because of satisfied customers.


Why We Serve

Pathways To Growth’s staff is passionate about helping nonprofits build their capacity in a comprehensive manner so they create greater impact, improve efficiency and increase appeal to potential grant funders and donors. Our leadership has valuable skills to share with nonprofits based upon over 30 years of personal “in the trenches” experience managing nonprofits and helping to build successful nonprofit agencies. We thrive on becoming a valuable, long-term member of our client's teams.

 

· If your organization needs nonprofit development, our collaborative approach provides you with sound insight and advice as to how to      improve your nonprofit, leadership, board, and programs.


· If you are seeking grant writing assistance, we will not only write outstanding grant proposals for your nonprofit but, using our expertise        in this field, also offer you valuable advice on how to improve your chances for grant success.

 

Pathways to Growth has earned a strong reputation for integrity and professionalism in all we do.

MEET OUR TEAM

Our team is trained both internationally and locally, so they understand your needs and the environment in which you do business.  

Jule Colvin - President

Julé Colvin

President

  • Bio

    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 30 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 32 years, has two children and two grandchildren.

Julie Gillespie

Julie Gillespie

Vice President of Production

  • Bio

    Julie has secured millions of dollars in grant funding from federal and state government agencies, private foundations and corporations.


    She has over 17 years 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. Julie has written grants for Catholic Social Services of Fall River, Catholic Charities of Central Florida, Foundation for Orange County Public Schools, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orlando Ballet, Sister Rose Emergency Shelter and Food Pantry, Heart to Heart: A Community Care Home, NextStep Orlando, Seventh-Day Adventists, Homeless Services Network of Central Florida and onePULSE Foundation.


    Julie is from New Bedford, Massachusetts and moved to Orlando 10 years ago. She holds a Masters in Public Administration with a focus in Nonprofit Management and a Masters in Science with a focus on Mental Health Counseling from Suffolk University in Boston.

Michael Goss

Michael Goss

RFI Program Manager

  • Bio

    Michael Goss brings over 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.


    He and his wife have been married 11 years and live in Florence, MS along with their two fur babies, Jackson and Marlee.

Greg Sheek

Greg Sheek

Grant Specialist Team Lead

  • Bio

    Greg has 20+ years of experience in program management, sales and research.  


    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. Other significant roles he has held include corporate event planner, strategic partnership manager, and research analyst. 


    Greg has a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Georgia and completed his undergraduate degree at Samford University. Greg is originally from central Florida but now calls Birmingham, Alabama, home. He is an active member of Hunter Street Baptist Church and serves as a high school parent booster for cross-country and soccer. 

Lisa Rose - Administrative Specialist

Lisa Rose

Administrative Specialist

  • Bio

    Lisa provides the support structure behind the scenes that keeps things running smoothly for the management team, the grant writers, and our clients.


    She has a diverse career background serving in the Air Force assigned to the Financial Management field. She spent a combined 26+ years as an active-duty military, contractor, and civil service employee working in various positions from payroll, travel, accounts receivables, financial analysis, and financial systems. She ended her government career leading as resource data management officer supporting strategic communications, and systems implementation and training, for the HQ U.S. Special Operations Command.


    In 2014, she drastically shifted her career from government work into the non-profit sector as a program manager for a youth leadership and service-learning program for high school students. Her passion teaching and supporting the next generations motivated her to eventually become high school business and technology teacher. Family demands and a need for more flexibility prompted her to yet another career shift leading her to P2G. She happily serves the team as an Administrative Assistant and Trainer for the Responsible Fatherhood Initiative.


    Lisa graduated from the University of Phoenix with a Master’s in Business Management. As a lifelong learner she has also earned EQi 2.0/ EQ 360, leadership, speaking, coaching, training, and a Florida Department of Education teaching certifications. She is a very active member of Covenant Life Church and continues to serve in several capacities with both her church and other philanthropic organizations.

Linda Donegan

Linda Donegan, CPA

Accounting

  • Bio

    Linda is a rare Florida native having been born in Miami and growing up in Orlando. She received a degree in Marketing and Management from the University of Central Florida and followed that up with dual degrees in Accountancy and Finance. She became a CPA in 1983.


    Drawing from her vast business experience, Linda formed a virtual assistance company 2011 and now helps small to mid-sized business with their accounting and finance functions.


    Linda has been married to Dennis for 32 years, and they enjoy five grandchildren, golfing, travel and reading. Linda and Dennis live in New Port Richey, Florida which is right outside of Tampa.

Pamela Coke

Pamela Coke

Grant Writer

  • Bio

    Pam has 25+ years of experience in writing and education, having worked as a middle school English language arts teacher and a teacher educator. In addition to being a proud team member at Pathways to Growth, she is the CEO of her own grant research and writing company, Intentions Granted, LLC.


    Pam has experience writing grants, LOIs, and RFPs for non-profit and for-profit organizations. Her specialties include education, healthcare, and social services. Her favorite part of grant writing is working with clients to tell their unique story. She volunteers as a grant researcher and writer at the Community Literacy Center in Fort Collins, CO, helping to bring literacy engagement to incarcerated women and recovering youth.


    Currently based in Colorado, Pam earned her B.A. in English Education with a minor in French Education at the University of Northern Iowa. She earned her PhD in Language, Literacy, and Culture from the University of Iowa. When she is not writing, she enjoys spending time with her husband, son, and dogs. 

Alaina Cunningham picture

Alaina Cunningham

Grant Writer

  • Bio

    Alaina Cunningham is a committed advocate for non-profit causes, with over two decades of grant-writing experience. Alaina is a dedicated professional with a passion for creating positive change. Her past work has included: consulting and grant-writing for non-profit organizations, serving as the Executive Director of the American Cancer Society, Hawaii Pacific, consulting with clients on their employee wellness programs at Premera Blue Cross, and managing community programs at Spokane Regional Health District. Alaina has a BS in Community Health and a MEd in Adult Education from Eastern Washington University. 

Kristina Fortner

Kristina Fortner

Grant Writer

  • Bio

    Kristina Fortner is a Grant Writer who advocates for her clients through words, using data to paint a powerful picture. Kristina is passionate about growing programs that make an impact and enjoys nonprofit consulting aimed at long-term success for the organization.


    Kristina has over 15 years of diverse grant management experience. She has won grants that support new program development and emergency grants to restore programs. Kristina has obtained funding through United Way, Juvenile Welfare Boards, Community Foundations, the Department of Education, county and state agencies, private foundations, and local impact grants. Kristina has served as an Executive Director in both nonprofit and for-profit environments. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Arizona and a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Walden University.


    Kristina loves the beautiful adventure that life brings with daughters ranging in age from toddler to twenties. She enjoys reading, growing her garden, being outdoors, music, traveling, cooking, and football season.


Sharon Fennell Kennedy

Sharon Fennell Kennedy

Grant Writer/Reviewer

  • Bio

    Sharon was born in Buffalo, New York, and attended the State University College of New York at Buffalo, graduating with a major in English.


    As a young wife and mother in Albany, New York, Sharon volunteered at several nonprofits. The skills she acquired in fundraising, event planning, and grant writing were the foundation of what would become a 26+ year career in the nonprofit sector. One of Sharon’s most rewarding positions was serving as Executive Director of the Westminster Senior Center in downtown Providence, Rhode Island.


    In 2008, Sharon and her husband John moved to St. Petersburg. She immersed herself in the community and is active in many civic organizations including The Stuart Society (Museum of Fine Arts), St. Petersburg Women’s Chamber of Commerce, Woman’s Service League, Mayor’s Commission on Aging, St. Petersburg Preservation, and St. Petersburg Bridge Club.


    Walking, reading, yoga, cooking and playing bridge are a few of her personal interests.

Joe Krol

Joe Krol

Grant Writer

  • Bio

    Joe Krol is an accomplished and dedicated nonprofit fundraiser with a proven track record of success in the field. Over the past 16 years, Joe has served several organizations, making a significant impact in each role.


    During his tenure as Development Manager and Executive Director, Joe honed his skills in strategic planning, donor relations, and grant writing. He also played a critical role in expanding the outreach and impact of both organizations through successful fundraising campaigns and community engagement initiatives.


    In addition to his work in the nonprofit sector, Joe has demonstrated an entrepreneurial spirit by starting his own consulting firm, where he has provided expert guidance and support to a wide range of organizations across the country.


    Outside of work, Joe is an avid cook and gardener, with a love for growing his own produce and trying out new recipes. He also has a great sense of humor and loves to laugh, bringing encouragement to those around him.


Maria Cristina Longo

Maria Cristina Longo

Grant Writer

  • Bio

    Maria has been working in the nonprofit sector for the last decade.


    She started as an International Cooperation Project Officer, responsible for securing funds and writing grants awarded by many multilateral organizations (European Commission, World Bank, United Nations, Inter-American Development Bank), mostly dealing with Cultural Heritage, Environmental Sustainability, International Tourism and Smart Cities as tools for local development.


    She moved to Florida five years ago and worked as Grants and Administration Manager at Covenant House Florida.


    She graduated in Political Science and International Diplomacy with a focus on Less Developed Countries at the Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, holds Master’s Degrees in Urban Planning and Food Security for Developing Countries, International Tourism, Economy and Management of the Cultural Sector, Alternative Dispute Resolution. She speaks Italian, English, Spanish, French and Portuguese.

Debra Marcus

Debra Marcus

Grant Writer/Reviewer

  • Bio

    Debra has over 30 years of enthusiastic experience in the non-profit sector with extensive leadership experience in fundraising, strategic planning, grant writing, event planning and volunteer, board and staff development.


    Debra has a passion for working for organizations that are making a difference in the lives of others, one person at a time.

Jillian McAdory

Jillian McAdory

Grant Researcher

  • Bio

    Jillian McAdory works as a grant researcher with Pathways To Growth out of her hometown of Miami, Florida.


    To locate funding opportunities, she makes use of extensive grant databases as well as a number of additional search strategies. She played a significant part in her former employer's fundraising efforts, and under her guidance, Give Miami Day donations for the group were triple what they had been the year before.


    Jillian is committed to assisting nonprofit organizations in fulfilling their missions and is passionate about seeing them have a positive influence on the world.


    Jillian is a proud alumna of Miami Ad School and Spelman College, where she majored in advertising art direction.

Carolyn Miller

Carolyn Miller

Grant Writer

  • Bio

    Carolyn Miller serves as a grant writer for Pathways To Growth. She has been a part of our team for 13 years and has won millions of dollars in grants for Pathways to Growth clients.


    Carolyn worked for over 20 years in the IT industry for a privately held software firm, holding numerous positions throughout the company including Customer Service, Product Management, Technical Support, Sales & Marketing and Account Management. She took several years off in order to spend time with her family, but stayed involved in volunteering for numerous nonprofit organizations in the Tampa Bay area, including Habitat for Humanity, Lakeland SPCA, All Children’s Hospital Foundation, Congregation Beth Shalom and Hillsborough County Animal Services. She also served on the Board of Directors for New Life Village, a nonprofit organization based in Thonotosassa, FL.


    Carolyn holds a BA from Union College in Schenectady, NY.

Janet Miller

Janet Miller

Grant Writer/Researcher

  • Bio

    Janet is a member of Grant Professionals Association (GPA). Born in south-central, PA, she attended college in Edinboro PA and Boston MA, and lived in Jersey City NJ, Omaha NE, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC before returning to south-central PA.


    She holds degrees in Early Childhood Education, Entrepreneurship & Small Business Management, and Nonprofit Management. Since 2016 she has focused on grant writing, with the most experience being for mental health and after-school programs. Janet has experience with both federal and state grants as well as foundations of all sizes. Experience also includes database management, and she finds accurate records and organization to be a key piece of grant management! Hobbies include running, training, traveling, and spending time with teenagers Jillian and Ben.

Valarie Bostic

Valarie Bostic

Grant Writer/Reviewer

  • Bio

    Valarie Bostic is a career non-profit executive with over 25 years of executive leadership. In 2016, she received a “Women of Distinction” award for her achievements in early education.


    Bostic began her career in 1985 with the United States Department of Defense Youth Services Division in Wurzburg, Germany. After relocating back to the US, she planted her roots in Fort Myers, Florida as an After School Program Director before later switching gears to work for the Redlands Christian Migrant Association in Immokalee, Florida as their Early Childhood Specialist. She later moved on to become the Executive Director of the Immokalee Child Care Center, the longest operating early childhood education center in the community. She also held the role of Executive Director, Healthy Start Coalition, SWFL, and Interim Executive Director, Florida Lions Eye Clinic. She has a B. A. in German from the State University College of New York at Oswego.


    In her spare time, Valarie loves writing children’s books and spending time with her favorite people- her granddaughters. 

Dorian Towsend

Dorian Towsend, PhD

Grant Writer/Reviewer

  • Bio

    Dorian Townsend has worked for 24 years in the nonprofit and social services sectors, including 14 years as a grant writer and nonprofit data analyst. She has helped lead multiple organizations in strategic grant fund growth and development, expanding and in some cases doubling their grant acquisition capacity.


    Dr. Townsend holds a PhD in Russian Studies from the University of New South Wales in Kensington, Australia. Her past research includes sociological analyses of Russian literature, perceptions of the HIV/AIDS crisis in Russia, the intersections of racial equity and homelessness in the United States, barriers to service provision in domestic violence shelters internationally, and effective practices in youth mentoring programs.


    Dr. Townsend is particularly interested in supporting social justice and equity work, youth programs, access to diverse educational opportunities, and STEAM.

Diane DiGiacomo

Diane DiGiacomo

Grant Reviewer

  • Bio

    Diane DiGiacomo has spent 30 years in the philanthropic sector.


    She was the director of communications at The Piton Foundation in Denver for more than 20 years and has served as a consultant to other foundations and many nonprofit agencies. Her extensive experience includes strategic communications, grant writing and program development.


    Diane has a master’s degree in public relations from the American University in Washington, DC and was awarded accreditation (APR) from the Public Relations Society of America.


    Her services include guidance on public relations, community outreach, fundraising and program development. One of her core specialties is research and writing – taking volumes of complex information and creating easy-to-understand documents that are on message and persuasive, including reports, marketing pieces, and grant proposals.

Marcia Wynn

Marcia Wynn, PhD

Grant Writer

  • Bio

    Marcia has more than 13 years of experience in the nonprofit arena including leadership, major gifts, program evaluation, program design, program planning, strategic planning, grant writing, grant research, grant reviewing, grant prospecting, and grant management. She has worked with a full spectrum of nonprofits—faith-based and educational entities, hospitals, and national and community organizations. She also has more than 18 years of academic experience, including 10 years as a professor for Southeastern University in Lakeland, FL. 


    Originally from Camden, SC, she has lived in Apollo Beach, FL since 2014. She has a doctorate in Human Services from Capella University. She is also a divorced empty nester with three adult children. Her hobbies include traveling, reading, writing, and cooking.

We are always looking for experienced, passionate and dedicated writers to join our team. Send a cover letter and resume to: info@pathwaystogrowth.us

Questions? Interested in learning more?

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