________
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
With over 25 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Anthony brings an eclectic skill set to clients. In addition to serving as the Development Director for three organizations, his extensive education and professional background in counseling, as well as research and statistics have shaped his approach to working with clients. He leans into client work with an emphasis on listening, analysis and relationships. Anthony has experience with a wide variety of nonprofit sectors as well as a range of expertise focused on strategic planning, capital campaigns, and board & staff training.
His most recent position prior to launching the firm was serving as the Development Director for the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy’s successful $71.4M Campaign for Generations. Self-described as a builder, his approach to fundraising and nonprofit growth strikes a unique balance between data-driven analytics and the art of cultivating authentic, trusting relationships with staff, volunteers, and donors.
Anthony holds a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology and completed 21 credit hours of research and statistics coursework through a PhD program in Educational Leadership and Organizational Development at the University of Louisville.
Christie Perdue, CFRE
Principal
_______
Contact:
christie@solventgrp.com | 231-431-0048
Christie has more than 20 years of development and nonprofit experience and has worked with a variety of nonprofits to strengthen their fundraising, marketing, and strategic planning initiatives. Since starting as an independent consultant in 2017, Christie and team have worked with hundreds of regional nonprofit organizations to build and strengthen their development activities. As well, Christie is a facilitator for the Rotary Charities Leadership Learning Lab, training nonprofit leaders on how to maximize fundraising efforts throughout northern Michigan, and most recently is a member of the Rotary Charities Capacity Advisory Pool, offering support to nonprofits in a variety of sectors.
Prior to starting as a consultant, Christie led fundraising campaigns for Otsego Memorial Hospital and spent 10 years developing thriving and sustainable fundraising and marketing programs at the hospital in her role as Foundation and Marketing Director. Prior to working with Otsego Memorial Hospital, Christie was the Director of Community Relations at the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation.
Christie holds a master’s degree from Central Michigan University and received her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan. She has a graduate certificate in Nonprofit Management from Lawrence Technological University and a Certificate in Fundraising Management from the Lilly School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. Christie has been a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) since 2008.
Shannon McDonough
Director of Operations
_______
Contact:
shannon@solventgrp.com | 989-619-6957
With experience across a wide range of nonprofit roles and responsibilities, Shannon manages all things operational, financial, technical, and creative in support of The Solvent Group’s consultants and clients. She has a keen eye for detail and a love of improving processes, systems, and project management.
Her background in both fundraising and finance shaped her holistic approach to operations. At St. Mary Cathedral Parish & School and St. Joseph Financial Services, Shannon led development, communications, and customer success efforts—blending relationship-building with data-driven decision making. These roles, combined with her previous work with an independent consulting firm since 2018, have given her insight into the inner workings of dozens of nonprofits, boards, campaigns, and strategic plans.
She brings experience in program and fund development, website management, social media, marketing and communications, and a whole lot more—always with an eye toward helping mission-driven teams work smarter and more effectively. Shannon’s financial acumen is grounded in hands-on experience and she also serves as Treasurer for the Beaver Island Irish Heritage Group.
Shannon holds a Bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University.
Dustin Pellegrini
Project Manager & Copywriter
_______
Contact:
dustin@solventgrp.com | 231-431-0048
Dustin is responsible for writing and project management needs for the firm’s clients. He comes to the Solvent Group after nearly a decade at the National Safety Council, where he specialized in supporting grant programs, leading national campaigns like Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and overseeing communications for +10,000 member organizations.
His attention to detail and commitment to the people and projects he supports make him an excellent collaborator. And with experience in a wide variety of fields, from teen driver safety and workplace injury prevention to personal finance and cybersecurity, he is adaptable to every client’s needs. Passionate and curious by nature, he enjoys learning all he can about the clients he works with so he can bring a thoughtful, informed approach to their communications.
Dustin holds a Bachelor’s degree from Columbia College Chicago, where he graduated summa cum laude and Valedictorian.
Chip Hansen
Strategic Consultant
_______
Contact:
chip@solventgrp.com | 231-431-0048
Chip joins The Solvent Group after retiring from his position as President of the Charlevoix County Community Foundation (C3F). During his 13 years of leadership, C3F’s assets grew from $19 million to more than $55 million, and annual grantmaking increased from approximately $1 million to more than $2.5 million. The C3F Legacy Society started during his tenure and grew to include more than 90 future gifts, ensuring that the C3F will sustain the community for years to come. As a Strategic Consultant for The Solvent Group, Chip will use his leadership, communication, financial management, strategic planning, and relationship building skills to drive extraordinary outcomes for our clients.
Prior to his experience at the C3F, Chip served as the Superintendent of East Jordan Public Schools, a position he held for more than 20 years. An active citizen who loves being “in the game” rather than “on the sidelines,” Chip is devoted to his local community. He is a member of the Lions Club of Charlevoix and the Rotary Club of East Jordan. An avid sports fan, Chip enjoys playing golf and tennis, and loves being on or near the water. His passion for leadership and sport manifested itself in multi-term service on the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s Representative Council, a position that he was elected to fill by his peers.
Chip graduated from Alma College and earned a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from 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
