Turning community need into work that delivers.

These projects show how we take an institutional priority, funding opportunity, or capacity challenge and turn it into practical support, stronger systems, and measurable impact.

Business owners participating in a hands-on training session — Business training and program delivery

$250K: initial City investment
65K+: people reached
4K+: businesses supported
$730K: three-year expansion

Prior Executive Leadership Experience

City of Charlotte Small Business Ecosystem Partner Grant

The Assignment

Following COVID-19, the City of Charlotte needed recovery support that could reach Hispanic and minority contractors with practical assistance for business growth.

What We Led

During her executive leadership at the Hispanic Contractors Association of the Carolinas, Lissette developed the funding proposal and needs assessment, designed the program and outreach strategy, led delivery, coordinated partners, supervised the team, provided direct assistance, and created the data and reporting process.

Impact

Over 18 months, the initiative reached more than 65,000 people and supported 4,000+ businesses. Its successful delivery led to a three-year, City-funded expansion in the North Tryon/Graham Corridor of Opportunity.

Prior Executive Leadership and VS Work

MBDA Business Center of North Carolina

The Assignment

The Center needed businesses across North Carolina to be better prepared to grow, compete for work, and build companies that could sustain new opportunities.

What We Led

Across a three-year engagement, Lissette worked directly with business owners to identify barriers, strengthen operations, develop practical growth strategies, prepare for procurement, pursue certifications, and act on contract opportunities.

Impact

The engagement helped businesses move beyond readiness work into measurable growth, including completed certifications, new jobs, and contracts secured.

Two business owners reviewing documents together during a technical-assistance meeting — Technical assistance for business growth

3 yrs: technical assistance statewide
130+: certifications completed
120+: employees hired
$5M+: secured by supported businesses

Eight participants and program partners holding certificates after completing the United Way Nonprofit 101 Spanish Cohort — Nonprofit 101 Spanish Cohort

100%: applied program tools
89%: improved structure
78%: began planning
67%: clarified board roles
44%: applied for grants

Velez Strategies Project

United Way of Greater Charlotte: Nonprofit 101 Spanish Cohort

The Assignment

United Way recognized that many community organizations were doing important work but lacked the operating foundation needed to manage growth and pursue funding.

What We Led

Velez Strategies designed and managed a full Spanish-language cohort for 20 nonprofit organizations across Charlotte. We developed a six-session curriculum covering governance, program management, data and reporting, storytelling for impact, funding readiness, and grant readiness, while leading outreach, facilitation, participant support, and evaluation.

Impact

Ninety days after the cohort, participants were applying the tools inside their organizations to strengthen structure, planning, governance, and funding readiness.

Selected Clients and Engagements

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