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University of Illinois
Our Team
Sally Bryant DeChenne
President & CEO
Sally joined BRYANT GROUP in 2007 and brings 30 years of experience in advancement management, consulting and recruiting, as well as achievements from the corporate sales arena and success in other entrepreneurial activities.
Christopher P. Bryant
Founder
Chris Bryant is the recognized leader in the recruitment of advancement, development and fundraising professionals. No one in the world has been specializing in this arena longer. In 1988, he co-founded the country’s first executive search firm to specialize exclusively in philanthropy recruitment.
John Toolan
Vice President
John Toolan is a seasoned fundraising professional with experience in both public and private universities and has worked in development, alumni relations and consulting. John was an integral part of the Advancement team at Marymount California University when the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) awarded the university with the title of Most Improved Overall Fund Raising Program in District VII, topping 100+ other institutions in the district to earn this honor.
Barbara Roberts
Consulting Vice President
Barbara brings close to 30 years of non-profit organizational experience in healthcare and higher education in Southern California in fundraising, communications, board governance and operational administration.
Her enthusiasm for guiding mission-driven organizations to succeed brought increased responsibilities and progressively higher leadership positions at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation; Good Samaritan Hospital – Los Angeles; USC Marshall School of Business; Marymount California University; and Providence TrinityCare Hospice Foundation.
As a volunteer, Barbara’s service includes: Chair, Board of Pensions and Health Benefits, Cal-Pacific Conference - United Methodist Church; South West Community Center, and Habitat for Humanity. She holds a Master’s in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing from the USC Marshall School of Business, and a Bachelor’s in English from UCLA.
Carol Terrell
Research Associate
Carol comes to BRYANT GROUP from The Bell Law Firm in Norman, Oklahoma where she managed the personal injury department. Her work for years as a legal assistant and database manager, along with her work ethic and professionalism, make her a great asset to the BRYANT GROUP team.
Her volunteer experience includes Metrocrest Services and Co-chairing the Toy Department at Christmas Connection in Oklahoma City.
Elizabeth McGreal Cook
Consulting Vice President
Elizabeth McGreal Cook has been recruiting, developing, and coaching talent for more than 25 years in some of the most successful corporate and higher education institutions in the country. She began her career at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, where she was first introduced to the concept of strategic talent management.
Elizabeth was then recruited by Six Flags where she created and implemented an onboarding program for 16 parks nationwide. Her career path has led her from hospitality to manufacturing to higher education, always focusing on designing talent development programs that align the success of the people with the mission and goals of the organization.
She spent more than a decade at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, including serving as Assistant Vice Chancellor for Advancement Talent Management and Administration. She led the creation of a full scale talent development strategy, including building programs in leadership education, diversity and equity, onboarding, and career growth for U of I—one of the largest universities in the country. Elizabeth uses the internationally recognized Coaching Habit model and has provided one-on-one performance and developmental leadership coaching to emerging and seasoned leaders.
Elizabeth has provided her expertise in the creation and development of onboarding programs to universities throughout the country. A frequent speaker, Elizabeth has led the newcomer institute for CASE V, taught onboarding program design workshops, facilitated multiple sessions for CASE conferences on topics ranging from career pathing to building an inclusive advancement culture, and served on the 2018 CASE Strategic Talent Management faculty. She has been published in CASE CURRENTS and co-authored journal articles with University of Illinois faculty members.
Elizabeth holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. She earned a Master of Arts in Teacher Leadership from the University of Illinois at Springfield and earned the honor of Outstanding Graduate Student in Teacher Leadership from the faculty.
Joe Rangel
Leadership Coach
Joe is the President and CEO at 2Evolve Coaching and Consulting and a member of the Og Mandino Leadership Institute. He serves as a collaborative partner to BRYANT GROUP for Leadership Coaching. Joe has worked with thousands of business owners, entrepreneurs and other professionals over the last 15 years—helping them get mentally and emotionally stronger through his mentoring. He has masterfully learned to utilize a system of fast-action tools that get people out of their ruts and onto greater success.
Joe has received several certifications for personal and leadership coaching, including from the Og Mandino Leadership Institute and Tony Robbins Leadership Academy.
Joseph Zanetta, J.D.
Consulting Vice President
Joe is a seasoned non-profit leader with more than 30 years of strategic fundraising and institutional advancement experience in education and medical institutions. He has served as CEO of Citrus Valley Health Foundation, a nonprofit integrated community health care system serving one million residents.
Prior to his service with Citrus Valley, he served as President of Providence Little Company of Mary Foundation. Joe has also served as a development executive at Cornell University, Whittier College, and the University of Southern California.
He enjoys volunteering in a variety of civic, professional, and community organizations, including serving as a member of the Board of Directors for the Log Cabin Republicans, Chair of the Board of Holy Family Services Adoption Agency, and Chair of the Pasadena Enterprise Center.
Joe is a well-known speaker and author on topics related to philanthropy and has been interviewed for articles in the Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, American Benefactor, Dallas Morning News and others. He holds a Bachelor's degree from Cornell University and a JD from Cornell Law School.
Kristin Green
Consulting Vice President
In Kristin’s recent position as a strategic partner on the University of Florida Advancement team, she was recognized for creating a talent development program that positioned UF among the leaders in Talent Management. From onboarding new fundraisers to refining the skills of top talent, her programs facilitate culture and are known for enhanced engagement, increased productivity and significantly reduced turnover.
Kristin’s work in both talent management and advancement has been published, and presented at multiple conferences, including an “Outstanding Speaker” designation at CASE. She has also served as a consultant to many top institutions around the country. Additionally, Kristin served as the Director of Alumni Engagement and Development at an independent school.
Prior to joining the advancement profession, Kristin worked with the Walt Disney Company. Positions included leading an education team and facilitating a world-renowned onboarding and training experience.
Kristin holds a Certificate in Fund Raising Management from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University, an MBA from the University of Florida, and a BSBA from California Polytechnic State University.
Lee Williams, CFRE
Consulting Vice President
Lee brings 25 years of direct fundraising and campaign leadership experience in both public and private universities. Throughout her career, Lee has held progressively higher development leadership positions and led fundraising teams to achieve multi-million dollar campaigns.
She has served Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgetown University, George Washington University, Mississippi State University, The University of South Florida, and the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth.
She holds a Bachelor's in Secondary Education from Mississippi State University and a Master's in Public Relations from the University of Southern Mississippi.
MacKenna Lindeman
Executive Assistant
MacKenna joined BRYANT GROUP in 2019, bringing more than 10 years of customer service experience as well as 4 years working in the non-profit and healthcare sectors. MacKenna is a young professional who excels in communication skills and making personal connections with everyone she meets. She has worked extensively with Girl Scouts of the USA to promote female empowerment and leadership. MacKenna moved from Wisconsin to the Dallas area in 2016 with her husband to advance her career and live closer to family. She takes a personal interest in childhood cancer research and the effects it leaves on family and friends of the affected child. MacKenna’s volunteer portfolio includes South Wood County Humane Society and Second Harvest Food Bank.
Susan Bowers
Consulting Vice President
Susan has over 40 years of extensive and varied non-profit experience throughout California. As a consultant for over 20 years, she has provided more than 50 non-profits with extensive, productive and strategic institutional advancement and fundraising capabilities.
In her work providing campaign consulting, strategic planning and interim executive placements, Susan brings significant hands-on experience from a broadly diverse group of non-profits, including secondary and higher education, healthcare and the arts, as well as a widespread network of professionals and volunteers throughout the field. Her projects include Idyllwild Arts Foundation and Westridge School.
Active in her community, Susan has served as a Cultural Arts Commissioner for the City of Whittier and chaired the Whittier Historical Society Board of Directors and the Whittier Community Foundation. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Lynchburg College in Virginia.