Think of us as your organization's force multiplier – seasoned strategists who strengthen both your roadmap and culture. From sharpening your strategic plan to becoming AI literate, we bring proven expertise and fresh energy to every challenge. We're here to amplify your impact while enriching the collaborative spirit that drives sustainable growth.
At Petersen Consultants we're all about turning big ideas into even bigger realities.
Ryan Petersen
Founder & Senior Advisor
As the founder of Petersen Consultants, a strategic and advisory consulting firm, Ryan Petersen brings over two decades of experience in enhancing purpose driven initiatives through insightful leadership and innovative fundraising strategies.
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Ryan helps philanthropic and nonprofit leaders reimagine how they access knowledge, collaborate, and plan for lasting impact. His work focuses on harnessing the power of AI to deepen understanding, strengthen strategic thinking, and amplify the effectiveness of people working toward social and environmental good.
Over the past year, Ryan has convened free AI working sessions with funders and nonprofit executives to explore practical, ethical ways to integrate emerging tools into research, planning, and communication. His facilitation helps leaders not only experiment with AI but build the skills and confidence to use it intentionally in pursuit of equity and impact.
He is also the creator of Complēre, an AI-powered research and reporting platform that helps charitable foundations quickly access credible studies, share insights, and make faster, evidence-based decisions.
With nearly 25 years of experience in equity-focused organizations, Ryan has held leadership and advisory roles with the Constellation Fund, Northside Achievement Zone, GroundBreak Coalition, The McDonough Institute, and V3 Sports. He holds a Master of Public Affairs from the Humphrey Institute, a Certificate in Sustainability Studies from the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School, and is a Climatebase Fellow focused on sustainability and systems change.
Heidi Dodd
Senior Project Manager
As a Senior Project Manager at Petersen Consultants, Heidi Dodd brings a wealth of experience to the strategic and advisory consulting firm. Her expertise in project management contributes significantly to the company's mission of enhancing community-based initiatives through insightful leadership and innovative strategies.
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Heidi's approach to project management is highly strategic, focusing on efficiently coordinating resources, timelines, and stakeholders to ensure successful outcomes for clients. Her skills in organization, communication, and problem-solving are crucial in managing complex projects from inception to completion.
Throughout her career, Heidi has consistently demonstrated her ability to lead teams, manage multiple priorities, and deliver results in challenging environments. Her experience at Petersen Consultants has further honed her skills in nonprofit and community-focused project management.
Heidi's contributions to Petersen Consultants play a vital role in the firm's ability to offer comprehensive and insightful consulting services to its clients in the nonprofit and community development sectors.ion text goes here
Acooa Ellis, ABLE Endeavors
Strategic Partner
Acooa Ellis is a key member of the Petersen Consultants team, partnering to enhance investor relations and resource activation strategies. With a wealth of experience spanning corporate, government, and community sectors, Acooa brings transformative leadership to advancing the GroundBreak Coalition’s vision of equity and innovation.
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Acooa Ellis brings a wealth of experience in addressing complex societal challenges, informed by her background in communities where resources were limited and solutions required ingenuity and collaboration. Her professional approach emphasizes deep listening, fostering understanding, and bridging divides to drive meaningful change.
With a career spanning roles as a policy expert, government affairs leader, nonprofit executive, and consultant, Acooa has consistently worked to remove barriers, build connections, and create sustainable impact. Her work is rooted in an intersectional perspective, enabling her to navigate entrenched systems, diagnose challenges, and implement strategies that promote equity and long-term progress.
In addition to her role with Petersen Consultants, Acooa is an independent consultant, coach, and speaker, dedicated to empowering individuals and communities by helping them overcome obstacles and achieve their potential.
Megan Garrido
Senior Grants Manager
Megan Garrido, GPC, is the Senior Grants Manager for Petersen Consultants, where she leads grant development efforts for diverse nonprofits and manages a team of skilled grant writers. Megan works closely on grantseeking initiatives for the William McDonough Foundation, alongside supporting a range of organizations in securing funding to advance equity and sustainability-focused missions.
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Megan’s career began in Antigua, Guatemala, where she led fund development and volunteer programs for international nonprofits. After returning to Minnesota in 2014, she played a critical role at a large urban school district, driving impactful initiatives in teacher workforce development, early learning, community engagement, and career pathways. Most recently, she served as a senior leader for a nonprofit focused on racial equity and economic inclusion, gaining extensive expertise in crafting and executing funding strategies.
Her grantwriting experience spans federal, state, corporate, and foundation grants, including agencies such as the U.S. Departments of Education, Agriculture, Justice, Health and Human Services, and the Environmental Protection Agency. Megan is a graduate of the University of Minnesota, where she earned a degree in professional journalism and a minor in Spanish, and is a member of the Grant Professionals Association.
Now based in Antigua, Guatemala, Megan applies her bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish to work effectively across cultural contexts. Her leadership and expertise in managing grantseeking efforts make her an invaluable asset to Petersen Consultants, driving sustainable funding solutions for the organizations they support.
Rob Grunewald, Rob Grunewald Consulting
Research and Platform Integrity: Complēre
Rob Grunewald is collaborating with Petersen Consultants on the development of Complēre, an AI-enabled poverty research platform designed to empower funders and nonprofits with data-driven insights.
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Rob Grunewald has dedicated his career to advancing economic and social equity, previously serving as an economist with the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. His seminal work co-authored with Art Rolnick, "Early Childhood Development: Economic Development with a High Public Return," has shaped public policy and inspired investments in early learning nationwide. Rob frequently engages with business leaders, policymakers, and community organizations to share insights on the intersection of economics and social impact.
In addition to his research, Rob has served on boards and advisory committees for organizations focused on early childhood development, such as Think Small, First Children’s Finance, and the Minnesota Visiting Nurse Agency. A past president of the Minnesota Economic Association, Rob holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and religion from St. Olaf College and a master’s degree in applied economics from the University of Minnesota.
Fernando Gonzalez Garcia
Executive Assistant
Fernando González is the Executive Assistant to Ryan Petersen at Petersen Consultants, where he helps lead and launch strategic initiatives such as Complere.ai. Originally from Spain, Fernando draws on his background as a language immersion teacher to bring structure, precision, and cultural awareness to his work. His love for soccer translates into a team-first mindset and a disciplined approach to execution.
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Before joining Petersen Consultants, Fernando spent several years teaching in language immersion schools, where he honed his skills in communication, organization, and cross-cultural collaboration. These experiences now fuel his work supporting complex projects and fast-moving teams. As Executive Assistant, he plays a vital role in building systems that keep the firm’s operations and innovation efforts running smoothly—particularly the development of Complere.ai. Known for his calm focus and steady leadership, Fernando brings rigor and reliability to every phase of execution. Outside of work, he stays active through soccer and enjoys sharing his Spanish heritage and global perspective with colleagues and friends.
Kenneth Scales
Strategic Partner
Kenneth has played a pivotal role in diversifying donor pools and developing innovative funding models that resonate with funders seeking impactful ways to contribute. Highly skilled in managing large-scale fundraising campaigns, grant writing, and sponsorship development, he draws on a wealth of experience, including leadership roles at The Forum and Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ).
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In 2019, Kenneth became an alumnus of both the AFP IDEA Fellowship and the Josie R. Johnson Leadership Academy, further solidifying his commitment to leadership and community empowerment. He is also a proud 2020 alumnus of the New Leaders Council. Widely recognized for his ability to cultivate meaningful professional connections and foster collaboration, Kenneth approaches his work with positivity, authenticity, and a spirit of partnership.