At Sort Sol Group, we engage social sector, business, education, government, and philanthropic leaders to be a collective force for community change.

Working together to create positive, meaningful, and sustainable change to benefit our communities. Easy to state, difficult to do.

We focus on strengthening client impact with advisory in business modeling, collaboration, equity, governance, leadership, and strategy development. Bringing a networked consulting model, combined with community learning and development, we support projects tackling issues of all types and sizes.

At Sort Sol Group, we work with community leaders to co-create knowledge to be a collective force. We lead change, together.

Our Story

The Danish term “sort sol” refers to a natural phenomenon in which hundreds of thousands of starlings gather to collectively select a location to rest or avoid a predator. The imagery of sort sol connects with our values of community, partnership, and collaboration. The challenges we face are larger than any one person, organization, or sector can independently overcome – they require a unified effort to make an impact.

Sort Sol Group applies the behavioral values of the flock – separation, alignment, and cohesion. Flocks avoid crowding neighbors (separation), seek to align efforts by steering together (alignment), and steer towards a common direction (cohesion).

We later discovered that Sort Sol is also a Danish 1970s punk rock band with an affinity for leather. We have yet to find a profound connection between the band and our effort, but are open to suggestions!

Individuals and communities who are disadvantaged as a result of complex, long-term, and systemic issues seek change.

Together, we lead changemakers to be a collective force for social justice.

  • Complexity is a cause for collaboration.
  • Individuals are committed to that which they help create.
  • Those most impacted by a decision should have voice in shaping it.
  • Robust and sustainable solutions come from embracing divergence.
  • Organizations who commit justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion concepts to their organizational values have greater impact on their communities and provide relevance in a rapidly changing world.

Equitable communities built by meaningful and sustainable social change.

Our Flock

Sort Sol Group enjoys a positive reputation for identifying disciplined teams who deliver thoughtful projects on time and on budget.

We are a “Flock” of talent, tethered by a shared set of values and principles, who are passionate about community change. We leverage this legion, our credibility, and the unique strengths of the Flock to accelerate client outcomes.

The Flock supports greater impact through community, partnership, and collaboration. Our practices represent the full range of functions and skills needed by organizations to thrive regardless of type, age, or size.

Agnes Meneses, MBA (she/her/hers)

Equity

Founder
AGMeneses Consulting

Agnes brings over 30 years’ experience in philanthropy. She is a network weaver, people engager, and visionary who partners with leaders to deepen their commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Agnes holds her MBA from DePaul University.

Beverly Scow, NITEP (she/her/hers)

Tribal Communities

Executive Director
Wise Women Gathering Place

Bev brings more than 30 years of experience in the nonprofit sector and tribal communities. She holds an honorary degree in the Indigenous Teaching Education Program from University of British Columbia.

Carrie Sanders, MCP (she/her/hers)

Community Finance

Founder & CEO
Hope Community Capital

Carrie brings over 20 years’ experience in community finance. She connects development projects with financing, and investors with opportunities to cultivate sustainable and inclusive communities. Carrie holds her MCP from MIT.

Daniel Chanen, JD (he/him/his)

Human Resources

Principal
Chanen Consulting

Dan brings more than 25 years of experience in the education and corporate sectors practicing law and leading human resource strategy. He holds his JD from the University of Wisconsin.

David Beard, MSW (he/him/his)

Policy Advocacy

Principal
Anchor Collaborative

David brings nearly 20 years’ experience in public policy. His experience includes lobbying, research and data collection, developing coalitions, determining policy priorities, and supporting public agency growth. David holds his Master in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin.

Dennis Johnson, MBA (he/him/his)

Leadership & Strategy

Managing Partner
Sort Sol Group

Dennis brings more than 25 years of experience in the academic, corporate, government, philanthropic, and social sectors. He centers his impact using a variety of tools and methods from numerous affiliated organizations. Dennis holds his MBA from the University of Nebraska.

Denny Caneff, MS (he/him/his)

Sustainability

Principal
Caneff Consulting

Denny has more than 30 years’ experience in conservation, leading organizations focused on sustainable agriculture, farmland, watershed, and trail management. He holds his MS in Agricultural Journalism from the University of Wisconsin.

Jenifer LG Holland, MPA (she/her/hers)

Program Design

Principal
JLG Consulting

Jenifer brings over 15 years’ experience helping executive and board leaders achieve social change. A seasoned program designer, she has developed peer cohort groups focused on governance, race equity, and social entrepreneurship. Jenifer holds her MPA from Columbia University.

Jimena Q. Hopkins, BA (she/her/hers)

Equity

Founder
Thrive Paradigm

Jimena has almost 20 years of experience as a field researcher, technical assistance provider, and curriculum developer. She holds her BA in Interdisciplinary Studies from the California Institute of Integral Studies.

Juanita Davis, JD (she/her/hers)

Equity

Principal
Fire & Light Consulting

Juanita brings over 15 years’ experience helping leaders foster belonging and expanded access. Her passion for racial justice leads her to explore social change through the intersection of history, lived experience, and dream-work. Juanita holds her Juris Doctor from the University of Wisconsin.

Laura Pinsoneault, PhD (she/her/hers)

Evaluation & Impact

Founder & CEO
Evaluation Plus

Laura brings over 25 years’ experience in evaluation, leadership, OD, and strategy. She prioritizes assets and engagement as drivers of equitable solutions in health, education, safety, social cohesion, and economic security. Laura holds her PhD from the University of Wisconsin.

Lauren Johnson, BS (she/her/hers)

Data

Consulting Assistant
Sort Sol Group

Lauren brings over 5 years of experience in the corporate and social sectors. She enjoys distilling, evaluating, and presenting data to ensure a shared understanding that yields improved decision making. Lauren holds her BS from Wisconsin.

Liliana Katumata, MBA (she/her/hers)

Client Success

Consulting Assistant
Sort Sol Group

Liliana brings over 20 years’ experience in the corporate and social sectors. Her global perspective and international background in customer relations, hospitality, and project administration drives client success. Liliana holds her MBA from Universidade de São Paulo.

Mark DiGiovanni, MS (he/him/his)

Technology

Managing Partner
ATX Advisory Services

Mark brings more than 25 years of technology consulting experience helping organizations leverage software and data to fulfill their mission. He holds her MS in Engineering from UMASS Amherst.

Mary Patoka, BS (she/her/hers)

Economic Justice

Principal
Patoka Consulting

Mary brings over 35 years’ experience in economic justice focused on creating opportunities in community. She is certified by the National Development Council and holds her BS from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

Molly Herrmann, MS (she/her/hers)

LGBTQ+ Equity

Principal
Humble Pie Consulting

Molly brings more than 20 years of experience in the government and social sectors, specializing in LGBTQ equity, health, HIV, and community readiness. She holds her MS from the University of Wisconsin.

Nathan Groce, MBA (he/him/his)

Development

CEO
Market Me Consulting

Nathan brings over 20 years’ experience in the corporate and social sectors. He’s supported development and marketing for global nonprofits, Fortune 500 companies, and local governments. Nathan holds his Masters in Business Administration from the University of Maryland.

Patti Seger, BA (she/her/hers)

Client Acquisition

Acquisition Manager
Sort Sol Group

Patti brings more than 40 years of experience in the nonprofit and government sectors, including leader of a statewide nonprofit for the past 15 years. She holds her BA in Sociology, Criminal Justice, & Women Studies from the University of Wisconsin.

Peter Gray, MBA (he/him/his)

Executive Search

Executive Search
Peter Gray Executive Search

Peter brings more than 20 years’ experience in the corporate sector helping mission-driven employers hire leaders. He holds his MBA from Columbia.

Ray Gargano, MA (he/him/his)

Arts + Culture

Principal
Gargano Consulting

Ray brings over 25 years’ experience in the arts and creativity. He’s helped arts and culture organizations with their community development, leadership, program design, policy advocacy, and strategy development. Ray holds his Masters in Arts from the University of Akron.

Romero Davis, BS (he/him/his)

Equity

Principal
Davis Consulting

Romero brings more than 25 years of experience in the academia, corporate, and social impact sectors educating and collaborating with educators, law enforcement, students, national leaders, and agencies throughout the USA. He holds his BBA from Capella University.

Ruth Jorgensen, MSW (she/her/hers)

Equity

Principal
Corazon Catalysts

Ruth brings over 20 years’ experience in the social impact sector. She enjoys designing and holding space for equity-centered
strategy, leadership, and organizational change. Ruth holds her MSW from California State.

Sara Beanblossom, MA (she/her/hers)

Communications

Principal
Beanblossom Consulting

Sara brings over 20 years’ experience in communications and advocacy. She is a storyteller and resource developer, building connection across and within communities to advance their relevance. Sara holds her Master’s Degree in Arts Administration from Indiana University.

Sara Pickard, BA (she/her/hers)

Operations

Business Manager
Sort Sol Group

Sara brings over 35 years of experience in the corporate and social sectors. She has a deep background in women’s empowerment. Sara holds her BA from the University of Minnesota.

Sort Sol Group is a domestic limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of Wisconsin, since 23 July 2015.