Staff & Board of Directors

These smart, passionate, and engaging individuals share our mission to guide nonprofit organizations in achieving their goals with support and expert resources. They share their expertise and time to provide consulting, lead workshops, and enhance Spokes’ services. It takes many hands to keep Spokes turning. These are the people that have invested their time in helping our community’s nonprofits grow.

Our Staff

Consuelo Meux, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Consuelo has been Spokes’ CEO since 2018. She has a Ph.D. in Human and Organizational Systems with a research focus in women’s leadership. Her additional advanced degrees are in organizational behavior, organization development and marketing. She trained at The Foundation Center in San Francisco as a Development Director. Consuelo uses her vast background to assist nonprofit leaders to build the confidence and skills to operate a strong, viable nonprofit business. Consuelo has served as a nonprofit executive director, board developer, and business development consultant. She has taught doctoral courses and mentored dissertation research projects in organizational management with the University of Phoenix online. Dr. Consuelo was a Professor of Business and Faculty Chair at Fresno Pacific University, manager of a Small Business Development Center (SBDC), a Director of Development and Public Relations, and instructor with the Nonprofit Leadership Certification course at the Nonprofit Support Center of Fresno County. Her leadership exercise is published in the first Leadership Activities Workbook with Posner & Kouzes (2010), published by John Wiley, New York. As a Peace Corps Volunteer, Consuelo organized Women’s Food Coops in Cameroon, West Africa, has traveled internationally assisting small business development, and recently completed a missions trip to Haiti. Consuelo served 8 years on the SLO County Commission on the Status of Women.

To connect with Consuelo call (805) 547-2244 or email her at ceo@spokesfornonprofits.org

Dara Rosenwasser
Programs & Marketing Director

Dara runs Spokes educational programs, joining the organization in 2019. She began her nonprofit career serving as workshop facilitator at Youth in Focus, Seattle and at First Exposures in San Francisco -both 501(c)(3)’s serving a diverse student body. She brings that first-hand nonprofit management and educational facilitation experience with her as she supports Spokes member nonprofits through her role. She holds a Masters in Photography and Design from the San Francisco Art Institute and is owner of D.Lea Design Studio. A creative entrepreneur, she teaches photography, jewelry design and art appreciation classes through Cal Poly, Cuesta Community Programs and her Avila Beach studio.

For questions about Spokes programs or event activities please connect with Dara at (805) 547-2244 or email her at Dara@spokesfornonprofits.org

Julie Davis
Administrative & Membership Assistant

Julie is Spokes friendly, creative, and a tenacious problem solver who is not fazed by a challenge whether it involves assisting Spokes members with their organization’s database, or organizing workshop and event catering. Julie has years of combined experience in the nonprofit world and has worked in the field of business administration for over 20 years. She is a life-long learner, with certification through Santa Barbara Business College’s Executive Assistant Program. She is an avid baker, quilt maker, and miniaturist, teaching classes through Cuesta Community Programs.

For general information or membership questions, please connect with Julie at 805-547-2244 or email her at Julie@spokesfornonprofits.org

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Board of Directors

Jeff Franklin
President

You could say that Jeff is a kid at heart — he loves anything that he can do with his girlfriend, Jessica, and their four awesome kids. But Jeff has another side as well – a superstar techie side. At 15, he built his first computer system and later went on to study electrical engineering in college where he worked as an automotive installation technician.  And now, as CIO, he brings not only technical cred but also excellent customer service skills to his role at CIO Solutions. Jeff appreciates that Spokes supports many of the nonprofits that he works with every day. Serving Spokes helps him give back to several of his own customers, while at the same time, making a bigger impact than he could do on his own.

 

Jim Dorf

Jim is a native New Yorker. Before moving to San Luis Obispo, he was a Senior Attorney at New York City’s largest municipal union. Among his diverse law experience, he devoted a large portion of his time to the nonprofit and public interest sectors. He & his family moved to San Luis Obispo (his wife’s hometown) for quality-of-life reasons. He has previously managed the Human Resources departments at a few organizations (including two nonprofits) and is currently working as a consultant. In his free time, Jim enjoys his family, the outdoors, sports, and volunteering in the community. Jim feels Spokes’ success impacts many important local nonprofits and he is honored to serve on the board.

 

Lesley Santos

Lesley began her career as a development officer and grant writer for the California ScienCenter and Menlo College. She continued her work as the Community Relations Manager for Adobe Systems, Inc., where she was responsible for the company’s corporate philanthropy and community relations programs including their cash, in-kind and employee volunteer grants programs. After moving to San Luis Obispo and taking a career hiatus to focus on her young daughters, Lesley joined Spokes’ predecessor organization, the Nonprofit Support Center (NSC), and founded Spokes in 2011. She is presently the Agency Business Consultant at Farmers Insurance. Lesley earned her undergraduate degrees from the University of Southern California.

 

Michelle Starnes Secretary/Treasurer

Michelle is a partner and operations manager at Verdin, a marketing company committed to helping nonprofits and businesses in the community succeed. Michelle’s focus is on communications and efficiency, which is driven by a background in print production and the desire to do things the right way and make a big impact. Michelle fell in love with San Luis Obispo when she moved here to attend Cal Poly and is dedicated to helping others and making a difference in our community. The more she learns about Spokes, the more inspired she feels by the practical and effective support Spokes brings to so many nonprofits in the community. Michelle is excited to be able to contribute to the work that Spokes does and make an impact by strengthening these important nonprofit organizations.