Kelly Gagnon
founder + nonprofit leadership supernerd
In April 2017 Kelly saw that many nonprofits were spinning their wheels and gouging their pocketbooks doing fundraising and marketing the wrong way. Their messaging and strategies weren’t working! She knew a more affordable resource was needed. So she quit her job as Director of Public Relations and Development for a nonprofit with a $15 million + budget; she decided to become that resource.
Running on La Croix & coffee, Kelly continues to use her 10+ years of diverse nonprofit director and fundraising experience to help nonprofits and small businesses position themselves for success. When she’s not yelling at her dog to stop barking, Kelly dabbles in house and travel-hacking, blogging about Financial Indepedence mediocre yoga and jog-walking, and finding any opportunity to dance.
Megan Crowhurst
virtual project manager
Megan is originally from Decatur, IL and now resides in Monticello, IL with her husband and son. She is a work-at-home mom to Calvin and can be found chasing him around when she's not busy writing a curriculum for a local adult literacy program or helping other non-profits!
Stacie Hanneken
administrative superstar
Stacie is motivated by the greater good and that's just what Grit HQ lets her do: make the world a better place. Stacie and Kelly's 'teamwork' started years ago as they worked together to help GED students change their own lives. She is now continuing to help others through Grit.
Stacie's greatest passions are her three kids and her granddaughter. She loves to cook and loves her Cubby baseball.
Krista Aoki
branding, SEO + website consultant
Krista’s passion for storytelling started even before she wrote fiction novels for her middle school classmates to read. She’s blessed to use her love of meaningful storytelling to fuel her work at GRIT HQ.
A true multi-passionate, Krista loves connecting with others about blogging, philosophy, history, and digital marketing over a cup of coffee.
Bruce Nims
intro to board governance instructor
Bruce Nims resides in Decatur with Kay, his wife. He enjoys hiking, travel, tennis, and skiing. Nims is a graduate of Millikin University and is retired from a career in Information Technology.
Nims serves as Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Millikin University’s Tabor School of Business and its Center for Entrepreneurship. In addition, Nims offers consulting services and seminars for local businesses and not-for-profit organizations, with special emphasis on Leadership and effective Boards of Directors. Nims is the secretary/treasurer of InDecatur Ventures, LLC, a local venture capital firm. Nims is also active in community organizations; he is currently on the Board of the Decatur Parks Foundation, the Historic Decatur Foundation, and the Millikin-Decatur Executive Association.