The Team
How it all started
Thriving communities require exemplary nonprofits, churches, faith-based organizations, and local governments. I want communities to thrive!
Carson Dean
Founder & Consultant
My Story
My career has revolved around helping others. I am a nonprofit professional and organizational leader dedicated to maximizing the impact that organizations have in the communities they serve. Having enjoyed a career steeped in leading and directing organizations and programs, I have compiled experience in a vast array of areas, including management, financial oversight, team and board leadership, fund development, and community engagement. While skilled as a strategist, administrator and communicator, I pride myself on being compassionate, with a vision of serving in tactical ways, helping others to focus on mission, members/targeted populations, and community impact. My experience, coupled with my passion to see people thrive, makes me uniquely qualified to offer guidance to organizations and organizational leaders.
I’m a husband, proud father, and life-long North Carolinian. Our family lives in Gaston County, North Carolina. In fact, we live across the street from where my wife grew up and where her mother still lives! We’re members of First Baptist Church in Mount Holly and love spending time in the mountains and along the coast. I’m a graduate of N.C. State (BA History) and Appalachian State (MA History) universities. I also have a certificate in nonprofit management from Duke University. I’m an alumnus (inaugural class) of the Institute for Philanthropic Leadership’s Charlotte Leadership Gift School and Bank of America’s Charitable Foundation Neighborhood Builder Program (the nation’s largest philanthropic leadership development program for nonprofit executives). Prior to retiring in 2016, I was the executive director at the Men’s Shelter of Charlotte (now Roof Above).
My Values
My faith and my values influence everything I do – personally and professionally. They also keep me mindful of managing my priorities.
- Simplicity – keeping things simple is much harder than it appears; quality consultative work should make things easier for the client, not more complicated. Same goes for life.
- Relationships – much like simplicity, remembering that all consultative work is relational requires a commitment to maintaining quality relationships. It also requires practicing compassion – for others and for yourself.
- Equity and Inclusion – make sure those who need to be involved are involved and rightfully so. Know your own biases and your position (or not) of privilege and power, so that you may interact in ways that raise and respect all voices.
- Communication – quality communication requires consistency, timeliness, thoroughness, and respect. As a consultant, being intentionally proactive and appropriately responsive are the keys.
- Integrity & Accountability – do what you say you will do, when you say you will do it, how it is supposed to be done, and to the very best of your ability. Always.
Meet the Team
Angie Welsh
Senior Consultant – Research & Analysis
Angie Welsh is a senior-level nonprofit executive who brings decades of proven experience and extensive knowledge of collective impact, resource investment, and strategic planning to her consulting engagements. Her strengths include strategic thinking, financial management, goal setting, nonprofit systems enterprise, organizing, management, and public speaking. Throughout her career, Angie has consistently blended strategic thinking with practical application to help organizations move from vision to meaningful, measurable outcomes.
Angie serves as a Senior Consultant specializing in board development, governance, and strategic planning. She provides research, evaluation and analysis across a variety of projects. Angie brings depth, clarity, and facilitation expertise to organizational projects, helping leaders navigate complex decisions and strengthen their impact.
As Content Strategist for the Homeless Solutions Network (sponsored by Carson Dean Consulting), Angie draws on her extensive sector knowledge to source, curate, and develop high-quality resources for professionals working to address homelessness. With a keen ability to identify emerging trends and highlight practical tools, she ensures that HSN members remain informed, connected, and equipped to create lasting community change.
An alumnus of Meredith College in Raleigh, North Carolina, Angie resides in Seattle, Washington. She loves living close to her grandchildren and enjoys the arts and culture that her recently adopted city offers.
Nykki Hooks
Strategic Consultant – Engagement & Productions
Nykki is a strategic and relationship-driven leader who ensures the firm operates with clarity, efficiency, and heart. With a diverse background spanning healthcare support, nonprofit operations, digital communications, research, design, and community advocacy, Nykki excels at transforming complex initiatives into organized, actionable steps.
Nykki oversees internal workflows, project coordination, communication processes, and resource development while also shaping the organization’s media presence, digital engagement, and storytelling. She manages newsletter content, platform communications, outreach strategy, and design direction to ensure messaging remains aligned, accessible, and impactful.
Nykki is a central connector within the Homeless Solutions Network (sponsored by Carson Dean Consulting), helping shape its member experience, support content creation, and maintain a welcoming, collaborative environment for professionals working to address homelessness. Her ability to blend operational structure with compassionate communication ensures that teams remain aligned, supported, and focused on meaningful impact.
Known for her adaptability, creativity, and unwavering commitment to service, Nykki brings both professionalism and heart to every project she touches. Her approach blends strategic thinking with practical application, empowering teams to create meaningful and lasting change. She is also a proud mother of five school-aged children, grounding her work in empathy, lived experience, and a deep belief in the power of community.
“How can I help your organization thrive? By listening, employing best practices, and building relationships.”
— Carson
My Strategic Partners
blurFactor New Media is my go-to strategic partner for quality, affordable website development. Steve Brand is an awesome collaborator.
Patton McDowell, founder of PMA Nonprofit Leadership, has been both a mentor and colleague of mine for many years. More recently, we’ve collaborated on projects together including workshops and community engagements.
Stan, Beth and the entire team at Partners for Impact are the very best at what they do – systems change, evaluation, and strategic thinking. I learn something new each time I get the chance to work with them.
Janice Holly Booth has developed a tremendous resource for organizations of all sizes. I highly recommend The Team Building Kit.
Thriving Organizations in Our Portfolio
