________
OUR TEAM
The Solvent Group provides tailored support to nonprofits, meeting your organization’s unique needs with expert guidance and strategic solutions. Our wide-ranging team expands your capacity while maintaining the personalized, boutique-level service that ensures a collaborative and customized experience.
Anthony Rupard
Principal
_______
Contact:
anthony@solventgrp.com | 231-431-0037
Anthony is the strategist of the group — equal parts relationship builder, data nerd, and big-picture thinker. With more than 25 years in the nonprofit sector, he has served as a Development Director, interim Executive Director, and now co-founder of The Solvent Group.
Before starting the firm in 2022 with Christie, Anthony helped lead fundraising at the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy during its record-breaking $91M Campaign for Generations, first as an employee and finishing the campaign as an independent consultant. His background in counseling psychology, combined with a deep love of data and research, gives him a thoughtful, analytical approach to working with organizations, boards, and donors.
Around here, Anthony is known for asking the big questions, thinking through every angle, and occasionally falling into what the team calls “analysis paralysis.” Fortunately, he also knows how to turn good ideas into real strategy. Anthony lives in northern Michigan with his wife and two kids. When he’s not working with nonprofit leaders, you’ll most likely find him skiing, spending time outdoors, or diving deep into the numbers behind the next big idea.
Christie Perdue, CFRE
Principal
_______
Contact:
christie@solventgrp.com | 231-431-0048
Around here, Christie is known for her direct approach, sharp instincts, and ability to cut through the noise and get to what actually works. (A classic High-D, for those who speak DISC.) Christie has spent more than 20 years helping nonprofits raise money, think strategically, and get clear about where they’re going next.
Before launching The Solvent Group in 2022 with Anthony, Christie spent a decade leading fundraising and marketing at Otsego Memorial Hospital and previously worked at the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation. She’s also a longtime facilitator for the Rotary Charities Leadership Learning Lab, where she helps nonprofit leaders across northern Michigan level up their fundraising efforts.
Christie lives in Gaylord but spends as much time as humanly possible on Beaver Island — her favorite place in the world. She and her husband are raising a lively blended family that includes two sets of twins, which means there’s rarely a quiet moment. When she’s not working with nonprofit leaders, you can usually find her on Beaver Island, spending time with family, plotting the next big idea, or reminding everyone that a clear plan and a good donor conversation can solve almost anything.
Shannon McDonough
Director of Operations
_______
Contact:
shannon@solventgrp.com | 989-619-6957
Shannon is often referred to as “the glue that holds everything together” at The Solvent Group, which is a polite way of saying she keeps the operations, finances, systems, timelines, and occasional consultant chaos running smoothly.
With experience in fundraising, finance, communications, and nonprofit operations, Shannon has worked with dozens of nonprofits over the years, helping teams organize big ideas, track the details, and turn good intentions into actual progress.
Shannon lives on Beaver Island with her husband and their son. When she’s not managing projects behind the scenes, she enjoys playing mahjong, spending time near the water, and a good crisp gin & tonic at the end of the week. She’s a proud introvert with a dry sense of humor, a deep appreciation for a well-organized spreadsheet, and a long-standing love of The Office — which she considers both entertainment and occasional management training.
Dustin Pellegrini
Project Manager & Copywriter
_______
Contact:
dustin@solventgrp.com | 231-431-0048
Dustin is on a never-ending quest to be a true Jack of All Trades (and maybe even a Master of Some). Curious and adaptable to his core, he handles writing and project management needs for The Solvent Group’s varied nonprofit clients.
Before joining the team, Dustin spent nearly a decade at the National Safety Council supporting grant programs, leading national campaigns, and becoming everyone’s favorite co-worker. He specializes in quickly getting up to speed on his collaborator’s goals so he can understand exactly what they need to succeed.
Dustin lives in Interlochen with his wife and their dog, where his growing list of hobbies – from baking and woodworking to film photography – are getting increasingly agitated with the DIY demands of he and his wife’s first house. When his wife is out at pottery classes, Dustin enjoys going to see movies by himself and then vaguely (but eagerly) discussing the plots with her until they can rewatch them together at home.
Chip Hansen
Strategic Consultant
_______
Contact:
chip@solventgrp.com | 231-431-0048
Calling Chip our “elder statesman” doesn’t give him enough credit, although a statesman he is. Filled with the experience that comes from 2 very successful careers, Chip’s knowledge of the people and organizations across northern Michigan inspires the rest of us. We think he knows everyone, and maybe he does!
Chip started his leadership journey early, earning his first school superintendent position at the tender age of 27. 27 years later (including 21 in East Jordan), he retired and pivoted, accepting the position of President of the Charlevoix County Community Foundation, where he spent the next 13 years growing the organization from assets of $19 million to more than $60 million, and expanding the Foundation’s impact in every community in the county. Chip earned his leadership chops by always modeling the kind of integrity, ability, enthusiasm, and effort that he expected of others. Friendly and knowledgeable, Chip’s role in our shop includes Strategic Planning facilitation and Executive Coaching, roles that build on his ability to grow and nurture positive and productive relationships.
Chip lives in East Jordan (and Tucson) with his wife, Laura. In his spare time you might find him in front of groups. A frequent keynote speaker, Chip is more than just a gifted orator. He’s a storyteller supreme, and he often weaves informative and instructive tales based on stories from his experiences. When he’s not helping or inspiring others, you’ll find him on or near the water, enjoying all things outdoors, cheering on his beloved Michigan Wolverines, and enjoying his two sons and their families, including 5 grandsons.
Dave Schneider
Graphic Design
_______
With more than two decades of experience in art direction and graphic design, Dave has led creative campaigns for national brands including Nike, Red Robin, Duracell, IAMS, American Crew, and TD Ameritrade. His portfolio spans corporate identity, web design, digital marketing, packaging, and collateral, blending sharp visual storytelling with a strategic understanding of brand impact.
Dave’s career includes senior art director roles at agencies in Denver, Tennesse e, and Indiana, where he partnered with clients across industries from tourism and hospitality to healthcare and finance. His work has consistently elevated brand presence while meeting organizational goals, whether through large-scale campaigns or specialized creative projects.
Equipped with expertise in both print and digital platforms, Dave brings a versatile and innovative approach to The Solvent Group’s design projects. His creative direction enhances messaging and storytelling for nonprofits and mission-driven organizations, ensuring their communications are as visually compelling as they are impactful.
________
The “Yes, We Actually Know What We’re Doing” Section
Behind the strategy, spreadsheets, and storytelling is a team that also happens to be pretty well credentialed.
Anthony Rupard
Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology
Completed doctoral coursework in Educational Leadership and Organizational Development, University of Louisville
Christie Perdue
Master’s Degree, Central Michigan University
Bachelor’s Degree, University of Michigan
Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management, Lawrence Technological University
Certificate in Fundraising Management, Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University
Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE)
Shannon McDonough
Bachelor’s Degree, Central Michigan University
Dustin Pellegrini
Bachelor’s Degree, Columbia College Chicago
Summa Cum Laude & Valedictorian
Chip Hansen
Bachelor’s Degree, Alma College
Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership, Central Michigan University
_______
“I give The Solvent Group highest remarks across the board. The work they did on our case for support, the conversations they coached us on for donors, the smoothness with which we were able to communicate back and forth - all of it made for a really effective and informative feasibility study. In the end, what I appreciated the most, is that they were HONEST enough to tell us both the good and the bad. That’s equally effective and helpful.”
- Michael Long, Executive Director, Great Lakes Children’s Museum
