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TSG About Us

A NATIONAL CALIBER TEAM

You want the finest minds helping you improve your nonprofit organization, and that’s the idea behind The Savage Group. Led by seasoned leadership coach John Savage, our all-star team works together to help you do your work better. Our team’s

TSG About Us

… make The Savage Group the best choice to make your nonprofit better.

MAKING NONPROFITS BETTER

Nonprofits make the world a better place. At The Savage Group, we’re dedicated to making nonprofits stronger so they can better serve their communities. But what makes them stronger? Adequate funds are essential, but they are not sufficient. Nonprofits need the right executives and board members, but leaders will struggle unless they’re working within a healthy, functioning system. And underlying all of these components are the messages that nonprofits communicate to their internal and external stakeholders.

 

Like a finely-tuned machine, these four components of nonprofits must be working in tandem if the whole organization is to be effective. That’s why The Savage Group employs an integrated approach, stressing the right leaders, healthy systems, sufficient resources, and powerful messaging. When all four are in place, nonprofits thrive. Our goal is to help you get there.

EMPOWERING YOU TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

In the end, it’s all about your mission. Nonprofits aid human flourishing in innumerable ways. Our national-caliber team of subject-matter experts harness their combined expertise to strengthen nonprofits and empower them to make a difference in their communities. By doing so, we help you make an impact for good on the local, national, and even global level.

EXECUTIVE TEAM

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John B. Savage, EMBA

Founder and CEO

John B. Savage, EMBA, is a seasoned consultant and coach. For over thirty years, his big ideas have been helping nonprofits develop the organizational health, capacity, and capital they need to make the world a better place. John’s creative solutions have benefited agencies from entrepreneurial startups to organizations celebrating their hundredth anniversaries. John is most often retained to help clients grow their revenue, build their board, and transition through changes in leadership. He can be found teaching fundraising, leadership, stewardship and board development at various national conferences and events throughout North America, including Christian Leadership Alliance, Council of Christian Colleges and Universities, Association of Gospel Rescue Mission, Association of Biblical Higher Education, Christian Camping and Conference Association, and the Association of Christian Schools International, among others. John is an avid sailor and outdoorsman often found enjoying new ports and people wherever his travels take him! JOHN’S ROLES: Teacher Leadership coach Revenue revivalist Organizational strategist Partner in board development and board retreats JOHN’S SERVICES: Create and cast vision Develop and fund strategic plans, capital campaigns, and new program initiatives Coach boards and executive leadership to greater effectiveness and mission alignment Provide interim executive CEO and CDO leadership during critical transitions TYPES OF NONPROFITS SERVED: Private schools Foster care agencies Rescue missions Large and small church boards Family and church foundations Camps Overseas ministries Hospitals Inner-city agencies serving the poor Museums Colleges Family businesses And more EDUCATION: B.S. in Physics from Denison University (minor in Latin American Studies) Executive MBA from Pepperdine University EXPERIENCE: VP for Development, Union Rescue Mission, Los Angeles, CA Chair, United Way’s Hispanic Leadership Institute Produced a mentor/protege audio training program and a stewardship audio training program Host, Leadership Lifestyles, a daily radio program in Seattle, WA Teaching faculty, City Vision College Independent Study Advisor in Leadership, Bakke Graduate University Planning Commissioner, City of Des Moines, WA Chair, Board of Des Moines Creek Classical Cristian Academy, Des Moines, WA PUBLICATIONS: National columnist and contributor, InSite Magazine National columnist and contributor, Church Executive Magazine National columnist and contributor, Planned Giving Today Publisher, Boardwise, a bi-monthly newsletter on stewardship and leadership for board members of Christian ministries

CONSULTANTS

Bronson Consultant

Right Leaders Division Leader

Dan Bronson

Dan has over 20 years’ experience in executive search for corporate positions and not for profit Christian organizations. He previously led the Colorado Office of Lasher Associates for nonprofit clients including Christian Schools, Youth Organizations, Various Church Denominations and Para-Church Organizations. Dan is a former member of The Society for Human Resource Management, Vice President of the American Society of Training and Development, Board of Directors at Westminster Christian School, Miami, FL, Board Member, Youth for Christ, Miami, FL, and active member of The Presidents Club of Michigan State University and The Anglico Association, United States Marine Corps. He holds a BA from Michigan State University and served 6 years of active and reserve duty in the USMC including Vietnam service. He was a corporate HR executive for Racal Electronics, PLC in the US for 25 years. DAN’S SERVICES: Executive Recruitment TYPES OF NONPROFITS SERVED: Christian Schools Youth Organizations Denominations Para-Church organizations LOCATIONS: Throughout the U.S. EDUCATION: B.A. in Liberal Arts from Michigan State University EXPERIENCE: Senior V.P. for Lasher Associates Executive Search Senior V.P. Human Resources for Racal Electronics, PLC United State Marine Corps

Welday Consultant

Publishing Division Leader

David Welday

David is an out-of-the-box thinker, gifted communicator, marketing strategist, copywriter, publisher and coach. In addition to his role with The Savage Group he is President of HigherLife Publishing and Marketing, Inc. Providing professionals, business owners, authors and non-profit organizations with creative and compelling marketing and brand strategies that lead to more profitable connections. Through his work with The Savage Group, David is committed to bringing to the culture innovative strategies and resources built on positive, life-changing messages. David has served in the publishing and marketing world for more than 30 years and has vast experience in; direct response marketing, magazine publishing, book publishing, curriculum and digital resource development and organizational development. He has acquired and worked with multiple New York Times bestselling authors. His experience includes work in traditional, collaborative and self-publishing models. He does “Contagious Brand Strategy” engagements for both corporations and not-for-profit ministries. David also heads a 501C3 non-profit ministry called Next Generation Institute where he provides parent coaching and leads seminars for today’s overworked and overwhelmed moms and dads looking to raise children to live with significance purpose and joy. He helped chart the growth of multiple nationwide periodicals, overseeing the growth of one national monthly from 40,000 distribution to a quarter million in paid circulation. He is a former president of the Florida Magazine Association and has served as publisher and vice-president of product development for a multi-media company where he took their book publishing division from about 15 titles per year to over 112 titles per year. Dave does seminars and intensives in the areas of publishing, parenting, marketing, brand strategy, specialty sales, business development, non-profit donor development, children’s ministry and Christian education. In addition to running HigherLife, he pioneered the start-up of a curriculum company, is a published author, hosted national conferences, launched a non-profit organization and consulted with multiple international organizations. Clients he has served include: Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, New Tribes Mission, Voice of the Martyrs, Assist Network International, The Climb, World Compassion, Change This World, David C. Cooke, Gospel Light, Charisma Media, BOSS the Movement, Kingdom Global, Lionshare, Texas Health Resources and many others. David is a member of the Christian Chamber of Commerce, Christian Small Publishers Association and serves on the board of multiple charitable, non-profit organizations. David lives in Oviedo Florida, has been married to his lovely wife Amy for more than 37 years. He and his wife have three grown sons, David, Darren and Jason. DAVID’S ROLES: Brand strategist Communications and content creator Publisher and publishing consultant Marketing and audience builder Donor development leader Leadership and creative coach Copywriter DAVID’S SERVICES: Develop and strengthen your brand Create compelling copy platforms Identify new sources of revenue Create content marketing strategies Increase your audience awareness and connections EDUCATION: B.S. in Marketing and Business Administration Miami University Ordained minister Certified Professional Coach EXPERIENCE: President HigherLife Publishing and Marketing President Welday Consulting and Coaching Founder/Executive Director Next Generation Institute Director of Marketing Christian Life Missions Writer and Speaker Board Member Christian Life Missions/Young Life NEO BOOKS: Shaping Your Family Story – How imperfect parents create hope and promise for their children (book) Dare to Be a Daniel (Tween youth curriculum) How to Market Your book (book) Get Your Book Published! (book) The Guide to Effectively Training Children (book) How To Create a Contagious Brand (book)

Tropper Consultant

Consultant

Peter Tropper

Peter has spent more than 30 years equipping urban students with the tools needed to move forward and become successful men and women. He has worked in the non-profit world through local churches, Urban Young Life, and a nonprofit Christian high school. Under his leadership, he was able to impact thousands of unique students for Christ, and recruit and train hundreds of adult volunteers. He was regarded for his never-ending belief in the kids. Most recently, he transitioned a traditional private Christian high school to a school specializing in educating underserved students from San Francisco’s toughest neighborhoods. He has an excellent track record of collaborating with staff and outside agencies to accomplish the task of moving statistically at risk students through a successful educational process. Peter has excellent people skills with the ability to cast vision, drive organizational culture, and promote a relationally focused mind-set. PETER’S SERVICES: Comprehensive fundraising strategy and revenue generation plans Creating a healthy growing environment TYPES OF NONPROFITS SERVED: Christian Schools Youth Ministries Christian Camps Churches EDUCATION: B.S. Chemistry and Secondary Education, Northeastern Illinois University Advanced Studies Program, Moody Bible Institute EXPERIENCE: Executive Director, Bridgemont High School Area Director, Young Life Urban-San Francisco Owner Operator, Austin/Lincoln Citgo Science Teacher

Henry Consultant

Consultant

John Henry

John is a focused global learning leader and project manager with more than 25 years’ experience driving development, implementation, and coordination of international internships, events, and publications. He serves TSG clients through Direct Organizational Consultations, Executive Coaching, and our Group Learning Experiences He has equipped hundreds of student volunteers to sensitively engage people from other cultures to effect positive change through their faith and their fields of study in over 40 countries. Through a strong collaborative leadership style, John has developed a proven record of adapting to the changing demands of partner agencies.

Riva Consultant

Consultant

Patty Riva

Patty has over 25 years of experience in marketing, communications, event management, branding, promotions, and donor development. She spent the majority of her career in the non-profit sector where she successfully designed and implemented in person events from inception to execution for audiences of up to 10,000. With a special emphasis in radio marketing and promotions, Patty is skilled at donor development, outdoor advertising, and radio campaigns to help increase revenue for clients. She has a passion for helping organizations reach their full potential, and reinventing how non-profits and small businesses tell their stories. In 2018 Patty started Embracing You Events, a platform which encourages women to network and engage around issues such as body image, mental health, parenting, and other challenges they may be facing. Patty resides with her husband in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She enjoys biking, reading, and spoiling her two dogs Kirby and Winston.

Singleton Consultant

Senior Consultant

Kevin Singleton

Kevin Singleton is a nonprofit youth development expert and mentor, a cross cultural musician, and a Grammy Award winning songwriter. As a platform speaker, teacher, and enduring musician he has performed at conferences and school assemblies for more than 3 million students and educators in 20 countries around the world. He employs components of what he calls “The Mailman Method,” which he learned from his college basketball coach, Bill Peterson, who created the workout method for Karl Malone. Kevin continues to add to his songwriting repertoire, where his songs have been sung by faith-based organizations globally. In 2009 Kevin founded Elevate New York, accredited by the New York City Department of Education as an in-school/after-school mentoring 501c3 serving those in the poorest congressional district in America. Over the last decade, he has raised and invested over $3 million into NYC Community School district 8. The conservative Social ROI is now over $20 million, because of their dropout prevention rates and the state or federal funds no longer needed to subsidize their graduates. Kevin is most often asked to develop leadership among teams and bring inspiration and innovation to program development. In response to the overwhelming amount of requests for understanding a cross-cultural approach to music, mentoring and faith, Kevin is also developing a music and mentoring online subscription program, along with other tools and resources he has developed and brings to his TSG clients.

Spanding Consultant

Events & Marketing Consultant

Drew Spanding

A Faithful follower of Jesus, Husband, and Dad of three amazing kids…. “Drew” has spent 5 years working with at risk students full time, traveled around the entire world in which he visited 14 different countries in 6 months, spent 3 years working as a land developer – successfully bringing to completion a high end neighborhood in Walloon Lake MI, and 16 years as the executive director and President of White Stone Project 501c3 (produced the Big Ticket Festival along with many other events). Drew serves TSG clients to maximize their brand and engage donors and consumers into the nonprofit mission. Drew also is a founder, shareholder, and CEO of Price Slide LLC (a Social Dynamic Sales Platform). Price Slide is unique in that it leverages the “early bird sale” in a way that will 2x-4x that sale when used properly. Price Slide just closed its first round of funding and currently holds a pending patent for the embodiment of “social dynamic pricing” protecting how their software uniquely leverages this dynamic group buying process to engage 3rd party reference marketing to a level never seen in a controlled and replica table process before. Price Slide’s “engineer team” currently takes projects from concept to completion with vast experience in UI/UX design, web development & optimization, social media, customer/client services, overall project management and event production expertise. The team Drew leads for TSG not only bring an ability to execute a great product but also bring years of experience in event production especially in the music industry.

Fiscus Consultant

Senior Consultant

Jack Fiscus

Jack has been ministering in the local church for over 30 years. He spent many years as a Student Pastor in Texas and Louisiana before becoming the Evangelism Pastor at First Baptist Church West Monroe, LA. Jack went on to serve as the Marketing Director for Student Life in Birmingham, AL prior to spending eight years as the Education Pastor at First Baptist Church Orlando, FL. Since 2016, Jack has served as Executive Pastor at Dawson Memorial Baptist Church in Birmingham, AL. Jack was raised in West Monroe, Louisiana, and graduated from Louisiana College with a Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems before earning a Master’s in Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. What is immediately apparent about Jack is his energetic spirit and warm, empathetic heart. He is a creative leader who thrives by using out-of-the-box solutions for Gospel-centered Kingdom work. Jack’s enthusiasm for evangelism and discipleship is at the center of his ministry. His wife Kasey is a data analyst for the Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes and Family Ministries. Jack and Kasey have two amazing children, Trenton and Tori. Trenton graduated from Samford University in December 2019 with a Nursing degree and recently married his wife, Abby. Jack’s daughter Tori and son-in-law Peyton live and work in Birmingham, AL. In his free time, Jack enjoys being with his family and cheering for the LSU Tigers.

PPR Consultant

Consultant

Patty Prasada-Rao

Patty has worked with non-profits for over 20 years both in the US and overseas, including community development, organizational and professional leadership development, campus ministry and national association work. She graduated with a Bachelor’s in Psychology/Pre-Med from The Johns Hopkins University and a Masters in Public Health Education/Community Development from the University of North Carolina. Ongoing training and education have come most strongly by living with and learning together from community leaders and mentors in the Sandtown (Baltimore) and Lawndale (Chicago) neighborhoods. Patty served with various ministries of New Song in Sandtown (Baltimore) from 1998-2012, including resource development director positions and as Co-Executive Director of New Song Urban Ministries (2007-2012). In these capacities, Patty led staff development efforts, directed fundraising campaigns (including a $5 million capital campaign), coordinated marketing/PR efforts, helped launch a small corner coffee shop, provided board facilitation, worked with leadership transition issues, and oversaw budget/finance management She most recently served as Chief Operations Officer for the Christian Community Development Association (CCDA) headquartered in Chicago, where her responsibilities included oversight for accounting/finances, human resources, technology, staff development, infrastructure/operations, facilities, board management, strategic plan implementation, fundraising strategy, communications coordination, and support for members around the country. She recently returned to Sandtown and is excited to be back “home.” Patty’s background also includes work in public health (technical assistance to state and local health departments), geriatric research, corporate marketing, psychiatric program management, college campus ministry, and in leadership development/support for NGO’s in India and Kenya. She has extensive experience working cross-culturally in the States and abroad. Patty was born to Indian parents in the U.S. with an extended family network, which instilled in her a strong value for community and what it means to belong together. She has offered her community development expertise and faith-based leadership on numerous boards both domestically and internationally, including CCDA, Communities First Association (CFA), Kupenda for the Children (Kenya) and PRIA Ministries (India). You can often find Patty listening to music (gospel, jazz, folk and classical at the top of the list), cooking (mostly Indian food, spinach balls and banana muffins) for her neighbors, on the floor hanging out with little ones, somewhere with any one of her huge Indian extended family, gallivanting around the globe, or playing with Tiger & Fulton (two of the craziest cats ever!).

Shoemaker Consultant

Senior Consultant

Josh Shoemaker

Josh brings over 13 years of experience in strategy, operations, project management, program development and commercialization. Josh is at his very best bringing new ideas to life and solving the most complex problems an organization may face. As a consultant, Josh has worked on dozens of projects and with various non-profits and businesses seeking to solve important issues related to social and health issues. Josh lives near Seattle, WA with his wife, Stephanie, and their three children. They are part of Trinity Church Seattle. Josh grew up in Seabeck, WA and went to college at Seattle Pacific University where he earned a BA in Christian Education. Initially, Josh attended seminary to pursue pastoral ministry, but as gifts and skills became more apparent, a different path emerged through an MBA from Baylor University which equipped him well to serve his clients.

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Consultant

Anthony Rivisto

Anthony Rivisto is a dedicated husband to his wife, Rebekah, and a proud father of their two daughters. He is passionate about helping individuals and organizations realize their fullest potential. With over two decades of experience in the nonprofit and leadership development sectors, Anthony has earned a reputation as a trusted leader and mentor, empowering others to step confidently into their callings and purpose. Anthony has a true knack for synthesizing data and getting to the heart of the matter. Early Career and Expertise: Anthony’s career in the nonprofit sector began in the Highpoint and Delridge neighborhoods of West Seattle, where he worked in program coordination and case management. His passion for community development and leadership training led him to pursue leadership roles in both church and parachurch organizations. These positions allowed him to gain extensive experience in pastoral ministry, community engagement, and organizational leadership. He earned dual degrees in American Ethnic Studies and Comparative History of Ideas from the University of Washington, followed by a professional certificate in Nonprofit Management. Over the years, he has built a diverse skill set, focusing on organizational health, mission and purpose creation, and leadership development. Leadership Development and Mentorship: Throughout his career, Anthony has become a passionate advocate for cohort-based learning, recognizing its transformative power. He has participated in influential programs such as the DeVos Urban Leadership Initiative and Youth for Christ’s XL Forum, both of which enhanced his approach to leadership development. Anthony has a proven track record of facilitating organizational restructuring, leading strategic board retreats, and recruiting and developing high-performing teams. He has worked with organizations to help them clarify their vision, refine their core values, and implement actionable strategies for growth. His ability to foster clarity and focus within teams has made him a sought-after mentor and leader in both nonprofit and business circles. Entrepreneurial Ventures: In addition to his nonprofit work, Anthony and Rebekah have a ministry, EMBOLDEN CO, which they use to catalyze believers into the fullness of their calling, and co-own a staffing agency that employs over 50 full- and part-time staff across three locations. Anthony has also worked in lending and recruiting, where his analytical mindset and communication skills have helped him navigate complex business challenges. Content Creation and Communication: A skilled communicator, Anthony excels in social media strategy, content creation, and both written and verbal communication. His creative work includes a poetry collection titled Nothing Wasted (2018), and his poetry can be found on his Instagram (@vistoetry). Additionally, he has been featured in musical collaborations, including Richard Perry’s “Be Thou My Vision” on the Hymns for Him album. Mission and Values: Anthony is kind-hearted and warm to others. He is also a warrior to build people up and call them to God’s purpose for them. Through his work with EMBLODEN Co., he aims to instill with boldness building courageous confidence in others, empowering them to build trust in God and accomplish awe-inspiring things for the kingdom. Outside of his professional endeavors, Anthony enjoys spending quality time with his family, going on dates with Rebekah and his daughters, and engaging in reading and writing projects that continue to inspire personal growth and creativity.

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Senior Consultant & Growth Strategist

Trevor Day

Trevor Day partners with ministry and business leaders to accelerate growth, align operations, and drive measurable impact for their organizations. With over a decade of experience spanning operations, sales, business development, and creative leadership, Trevor has helped companies and ministries scale revenue, optimize processes, and expand into new markets. A Seattle native, Trevor began his career in video production and digital media before transitioning into organizational leadership. At Amazon, he served as a Digital Video Supervisor, managing a team of 24 and doubling project output annually. He later moved into the nonprofit sector with The Village Church in Texas, leading teams of 450+ volunteers and managing large-scale productions for over 20,000 weekly attendees. Trevor went on to build and scale onboarding and operations teams at Subsplash, improving customer retention by 30% and onboarding over 250 clients per month. At Submeter Solutions, he served as VP of Operations, where he guided the company through its acquisition by Pioneer Energy Management in 2025, growing recurring revenue by 40% during his tenure. He’s always helping his clients grow, scale more broadly, and develop the systems to streamline achievement of those goals. He helps the clients of The Savage Group implement scalable systems, integrate technology, and accelerate donor revenue growth and social enterprise fee income. He has guided organizations in optimizing CRMs, launching marketing campaigns, and structuring models that align teams around measurable results. His cross-industry background — from creative media to SaaS, facilities services, and nonprofit leadership — gives him a unique ability to help leaders and organizations bridge vision and execution. Whether it’s clarifying growth strategy, designing scalable systems, or coaching teams toward accountability, Trevor brings clarity, focus, and momentum to those he serves. Trevor studied Video Production at the Art Institute of Seattle and General Studies at Highline College. He resides in Auburn, Washington, with his family, and continues to advise leaders and teams throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

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