Jackie Gelb, Principal
As founding Executive Director of YouthBuild Boston in Roxbury, Jackie turned a borrowed desk and a $20,000 grant into a multi-million dollar, nationally recognized youth development organization. She brings this same entrepreneurial spirit and skill to helping non-profits to grow, change and chart their course for the future.

Jackie’s breadth of personal experience—as an executive director, board member, coalition leader, community organizer, and public policy advocate—informs her approach to consulting with non-profits. She tailors her approach to the unique dynamics and culture of each non-profit, finding the most appropriate ways to support the leadership in charting its course. Jackie can help a group to step back from the fast-paced, day-to-day activities to reflect thoroughly and honestly on its desired impact, and how it might realign its practices to support its ambitions. Jackie can serve as a trusted ally, helping an Executive Director and Board to unravel the knotty problems that can block growth and change. Offering seasoned expertise, Jackie’s skilled, hands-on approach can add capacity where it is most needed.

Jackie’s 30 years of experience spans a range of issues, including community health care, workforce development, youth development, education, literacy, affordable housing, job training, micro-enterprise, cultural development and the creative economy, civil rights and public policy. Past clients include a wide range of large and small non-profits, with all types of organizational development needs. She draws on her extensive network of associates for specialized expertise on topics such as technology upgrades, human resource policies and fiscal system upgrades.