Grisel Maldonado is a social impact–driven coach and consultant dedicated to helping organizations flourish and drive transformational change. She specializes in crafting mission-aligned strategic pathways and strengthening executive teams, with an unwavering focus on equity. Through Avanza Strategies, Grisel delivers customized strategy solutions, and has coached leaders and executive teams via The Bridgespan Group’s Leading for Impact and Creating an Adaptive Plan programs. She lectures at the University of Chicago’s Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice, where she prepares master’s students to support social impact organizations effectively.

Prior to consulting, Grisel founded several Chicago education initiatives aimed at reducing inequality for youth of color. Her efforts included admissions leadership at Brown University and launching research-based programs at the Noble Network of Charter Schools, Northwestern University, the Urban Education Institute, and Chicago Public Schools. A proud Pilsen native, she holds a BA from Brown University and an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. She is a Surge Institute alum, part of the CatalystEd Postsecondary Expert Network with the Gates Foundation, and was named to the 2019 Negocios Now list of Latinos 40 Under 40.

JJ serves as both Project Manager and Executive Assistant to the CEO at Avanza Strategies, where he ensures smooth coordination throughout the strategic planning process. With a strong eye for detail, JJ manages complex scheduling, supports client communication, and oversees administrative tasks, keeping projects on track. His proactive approach fosters effective collaboration between team members and stakeholders, anticipating needs and addressing challenges before they arise. Through his dedication to efficiency and client satisfaction, JJ plays a key role in driving successful outcomes for Avanza Strategies.

Alberto Morales is a philanthropic strategist with a proven track record in strategic planning, capacity building, and program evaluation. A first-generation college graduate, he is driven by an unwavering commitment to equity. Alberto has opened Cristo Rey schools nationwide, stewarded multimillion-dollar grants at the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, and realigned investments to prioritize under-resourced communities. He co-developed Heartland Alliance’s Chicago Community Data Portal, enabling free access to neighborhood-level data for more equitable decision-making, and advised philanthropic efforts for major Chicago sports organizations. Previously, he served as Assistant Director of the Georgetown Scholars Program, supporting more than 600 first-generation students.

Alberto earned a B.Sc. in Health Care Management and Policy from Georgetown University and an MPA from Brown University, where he was commencement speaker. Recognized as one of Chicago Scholars’ “35 under 35,” he champions inclusive philanthropy as Co-chair of Nuestro Futuro at the Chicago Community Trust and on the Albert Pick Jr. Fund Board.

A Note About Our Strategic Partnership

Avanza Strategies and Morales Consulting have strengthened their partnership to extend their impact in strategic planning across local and national landscapes. Building on a track record of serving over 100 clients, they integrate expertise in participatory design, education, racial equity, and philanthropy, delivering inclusive, transformative solutions for nonprofits and foundations seeking long-term success. We are thrilled to formalize our collaboration, uniting two high-impact organizations to amplify the reach and depth of our strategic solutions.

Ines Mato is an accomplished consultant with over 15 years of experience specializing in data analysis, research, strategic planning, and project management. She has worked extensively with cities, foundations, and nonprofits, delivering data insights and recommendations that enhance stakeholder engagement, improve organizational performance, and drive economic development outcomes.

Previously, Ines served as Director of Research and Strategic Planning for the Miami-Dade Beacon Council, where she led comparative analyses and developed data-driven strategies to attract businesses, create jobs, and foster community growth. Her work resulted in tangible economic impact by supporting new business investments and regional development initiatives. Ines also brings expertise in climate resiliency and has collaborated on multi-stakeholder initiatives addressing socio-economic challenges. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from the University of Florida and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Florida Atlantic University. Certified in data analytics, strategic planning and project management, Ines is a bilingual professional who excels in working across cultural and organizational boundaries.

Julian De La Paz is a results-driven marketing and communications leader with 10+ years of experience in brand strategy, creative direction, and cross-channel campaign execution. He partners with clients to develop compelling narratives, optimize marketing operations, and accelerate growth. From leading national campaigns reaching 1M+ consumers to shaping content strategies for media giants like Spotify, SiriusXM, SoulCycle, NBCUniversal, Telemundo, and The TODAY Show, Julian blends big-picture thinking with sharp execution. He specializes in brand storytelling, audience engagement, and data-driven marketing that delivers measurable impact.

Michelle Kemp is the Founder and lead Consultant of MK Consulting Group LLC, a talent agency dedicated to building high-performing, people-centered organizations that reflect society. With over 15 years of expertise in human capital strategy, diversity recruitment, and leadership development, Michelle has guided education, non-profit, and private sector organizations in achieving sustainable growth, employee retention, and performance maximization. Her work focuses on expanding organizational capacity, fostering diverse talent, and enhancing leadership effectiveness.

Michelle holds an MBA in Project Management, a Bachelor’s in Communications, and a DEI certification from Northwestern University. She is also a Myers-Briggs (MBTI) Certified Practitioner, a Surge Institute Fellow, a Chicago Urban League IMPACT Leadership Fellow, and a Goldman Sachs 10K Small Business Alum. Additionally, she serves on the Associate Board of the Golden Apple Foundation, and is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.