Our Consultants

Using a range of proven tools and practices, the Mueller & Associates team helps organizations gain clarity, alignment, and focus—and thus improve their effectiveness.  His team helps clients clarify direction, focus, and strategy; strengthen governance; build strong teams; understand their culture and decision-making style; construct performance assessments; undertake internal and external studies; organize their fundraising endeavors; and conduct fundraising campaigns.  With every client, JMA maintains a focus on achieving outcomes consistent with the organization’s unique mission, values, and objectives.

Prior to consulting, Jim held leadership positions at Cornell University (Assoc. Dir. of University Class Affairs, Dir. of the Midwest Office), Northwestern University (Dir. of Development, Campaign Director), Lake Forest Graduate School of Management (VP of Enterprise Advancement), and Advocate Healthcare (VP, Bioethics Center).  He also served as COO of Grenzebach Glier and Associates, an international philanthropy consulting firm.  Jim has facilitated organizational development processes for a broad range of client organizations, including the Smithsonian Science Education Center, the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center, Broward College, Broward College Foundation, Florida International University, University of Texas Law School, Palm Beach Healthcare Foundation, Special Olympics Florida, Alaska Wilderness League, and Montana Wilderness Association.

Jim has consulted to nonprofits in the Caribbean as well, including Barbados (Barbados Association of Nongovernmental Organizations) and Haiti (the Haitian Hometown Association.)  On the fundraising front, he successfully directed a $32M fundraising campaign for Northwestern University, and participated as a member of the fundraising team for Cornell’s mega-campaigns.  He has solicited 6- and 7- figure gifts and successfully recruited and collaborated with CEOs of Fortune 100/500 companies to provide leadership to nonprofit causes, including the CEOs of Amoco, Continental Bank, LaSalle Partners, Motorola, United Airlines, and Zumiez.  Jim is a graduate of Cornell University and Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, with honors.

Margot developed a consulting practice that works with individuals with neurodiversity, their educators, therapists, care providers, parents, and physicians to help them access and employ supportive software applications using the iOS systems and technology. She has been an abilities IT consultant to a number of schools and ability organizations.

After graduating from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service with a degree in International Relations, Law and Organization, she pursued a career in writing and the performing arts. Her first position was as an editorial assistant at Conde Nast Publications in New York, before moving to Chicago where she was an actor, singer, and dancer for nearly a decade. She appeared in both regional and national theatre, film, television, and advertising productions. In addition to performing, Margot was manager and writer for the Greenlight Performing Company, a performance troop that focused on bringing arts to schools and neighborhoods where they were missing, and using the seven learning styles to teach education concepts.

From leading the nation’s largest annual giving programs, to directing comprehensive campaigns, assisting local not-for-profit organizations, and teaching development professionals around the country, Susan understands and influences professional fundraising. The Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) has recognized Susan for her professional achievements and outstanding teaching with its highest honor of Laureate. Her programs have received awards for creativity and results throughout four decades.

Susan finds greatest fulfillment in working with organizations that want to discover their philanthropic potential and are committed to adjusting their approach to fundraising. She prefers transformational giving to transactional fundraising, and she works to put that philosophy and culture into action.

She has directed programs that were successful in meeting goals for programs, research, positions, buildings, endowments, and operations. Susan’s professional career includes leadership positions at West Virginia University, the Pennsylvania State University, Chatham College, Villanova University, Northern Illinois University, Florida Atlantic University, Saint Leo University, Nova Southeastern University, Broward College, and Pine Crest School. Her volunteer work includes organizations serving individuals and families who are underemployed, homeless, hungry, or facing health challenges.

Her research practice is grounded in the real-world experience of deep engagement and demonstrated knowledge of research design. Linda turns numbers into stories and textual data into themes, providing insight to create visionary and actionable plans. Linda believes in approaching research with a rigorous methodology and customizing methods to the client she is working with.

Her toolkit includes traditional qualitative and quantitative methods (surveys, formal interviews, discussion groups), online tools (virtual meetings, public engagement platforms), and ethnographic tools (natural group storytelling, informal interviews, observation techniques). Her planning clients include city governments, large cultural institutions, foundations, and higher education institutions. Linda’s past experience and relationships cross many industries, working with all levels in private, public, and non-profit organizations. Her work included strategic planning, marketing and branding, and behavioral research.

She holds a doctorate in Organizational Development/Conflict Resolution and various quantitative and qualitative research certifications, is a published research author, and a recipient of a quality of life research grant with Nova Southeastern University. Linda volunteers her time at several local nonprofit organizations focused on the improvement of youth educational experiences in the State of Florida

Her work as an associate at James Mueller & Associates includes research, social media, communications, and grant writing. Her expertise in grant writing is hallmarked by her ability not only to find opportunities for clients, but also the ability to understand the perspective of the grantor, thus interpreting clients’ needs into the language of the grantor. In doing so she displays a unique talent in developing cases for support and presenting proposals that demonstrate how the clients’ project will impact communities in ways that are meaningful to grantors.

Lauren has worked with organizations serving a range of clients, from elementary-aged children to older adults. In 2018, Lauren joined the founding team for the Immanuel Foundation, the supporting organization for a retirement community in Kalispell, MT, for which she developed the grants and communications program and served its manager until 2022.  She joined the James Mueller & Associates team in 2019. Lauren brings intellectual prowess and efficiency to her work on behalf of clients.

Under his leadership, growth of the School’s award-winning corporate learning solutions, commitment to new program development and delivery models, and the adoption of philanthropy as part of the School’s business model have been established as strategic initiatives to advance the School’s mission.

Mr. Popoli joined LFGSM as V.P. and Academic Dean in 1994 and in 1999 was named EVP & Dean, Degree Programs.  In these roles he developed the Leadership Learning value proposition and educational philosophy, directed the launch of the international and healthcare specializations, and enhanced faculty relationships and mentoring.  He initiated numerous academic quality improvements, notably curriculum benchmarking and mapping and the use of faculty curriculum councils.  He also expanded the School’s approach to new student enrollment through business-to-business recruiting strategies and full program delivery at customer sites.

Prior to joining the Graduate School, Mr. Popoli had 22 years of business experience with Moore Business Forms and Systems Division, holding a variety of key staff and line positions in sales and management. He provided sales/program marketing support for more than one hundred of the company’s major accounts; was responsible for identifying, developing and delivering performance-driven, competency-based, national education programs; and spearheaded the introduction of company-wide quality education programs and the implementation of best practices and customer-focused process improvement programs.

Mr. Popoli serves on the Boards of Trustees of Lake Forest College and Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart and serves on the Advisory Board of Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science College of Pharmacy.  He is a member of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, the American Association of Presidents of Independent Colleges and Universities and the International Association of University Presidents.