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Break Down Silos - For a stronger strategy and sustainable social impact
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Unleash Innovation - adapt to rapidly changing needs and gaps.
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Increase Access - to experience, resources, and open new opportunities.
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Elevate Strategy - short and long-term planning for sustainable growth
Our Collective Why
OUR COLLECTIVE COMPASS
Our Vision: We envision a world where leadership is shared, voices are honored, and communities shape the systems that serve them. Together, we’re building a thriving, inclusive, and sustainable future for all.
Our Assignment: Our mission is to power regional prosperity and generational well-being through bold, lasting solutions. We strengthen the infrastructure behind social impact, shifting from short-term fixes to transformative strategy.
How We Show Up
Abundance
We lead with a mindset of possibility—designing strategies that expand opportunity, center shared prosperity, and support scalable, inclusive growth.
Voice
We honor lived experience and community wisdom as drivers of innovation. Real impact begins with listening and integrating diverse perspectives and data to shape more effective solutions.
Care
Care is core to how we lead and build. We prioritize relationships, mutual support, and long-term well-being as a strategy for sustainable impact.
Service
Rooted in purpose, our service reflects a commitment to integrity, responsiveness, and sustainable scaling—growing what works and serving what matters most.
VESTED PARTNERS
DONAYLE WHITMORE
Founder and Principal
Donayle Whitmore is a seasoned executive leader and transformational strategist with a proven track record in organizational development, capacity building, and systems-level innovation. With decades of experience spanning regional revitalization, education reform, and mission-driven ventures, she has led cross-sector collaborations that drive measurable impact. Donayle has advised and consulted on state, regional, and national initiatives, championing equity through data-informed strategy, coalition building, and sustainable change models. Her leadership has been recognized through federal and gubernatorial appointments, including the Missouri Board of Education and the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. At the intersection of policy, innovation, and impact, Donayle continues to guide institutions, movements, and communities toward meaningful transformation.
DR. THOMAS CULHANE
Research Partner- Environmental Global Sustainability
With an exemplary track record of leadership in innovative technologies Dr. T.H. Culhane is an Associate Professor of instruction at the Patel College of Global Sustainability, University of South Florida. Director of the Climate Mitigation. Co-founder/ Director "Solar CITIES Inc... " which champions urban ecology issues surrounding waste water, solid waste, food security, and decentralized clean energy production
BRETT MATERNOWSKI
Startup Advisor
As a seasoned business advisor, Brett has helped countless startups launch and succeed in today's competitive landscape. Renowned for his pivotal role in Florida’s innovation ecosystem, he is the founder of Florida Man Innovations Inc. but also the co-founder of the Artistic Incubator. His leadership and foresight have driven growth, fostered creativity, and enhanced community engagement across the state of Florida.
DR. BRIAN CORPENING
Research Partner, Public Policy/ Community Development, Education
Over 30 years of expertise in Higher ED program development, academic administration, and community transformation initiatives. A respected impact strategist and senior DEI researcher, served as Vice Provost and Chief DEI Officer for California and Oklahoma Higher Education Systems.
ROSE LEJISTE
Data Partner, CEO RL Tech
A renowned authority in data analytics, business intelligence, optimization, and reliability/safety engineering, Currently serves as the CEO of RL Engineering and Tech Solutions. Executive Director and founder of Black Tech Orlando
NICOLE WATERS
Executive Coach, CEO
525 Coaching, Amplify Women Tampa Bay
Nicole is a seasoned executive coach with a distinguished career collaborating with high impact companies, organizations and individuals where she has played a pivotal role in driving growth moving her clients to success. As a certified coach with over a decade of experience, Nicole excels in fostering transformative leadership and personal development. She has a remarkable ability to build and empower high-performing individuals and teams, guiding them to exceed their goals and achieve outstanding results.
Why Collective Impact is Critical for Social Change
The current shift in federal government priorities, with increasing emphasis on infrastructure, workforce development, and economic mobility, is reshaping how social impact organizations attract funding and sustain their missions. There are approximately 30% of nonprofits that rely on government grants, totaling around $303 billion annually. Among the nonprofits that receive these grants, about 60–80% are considered at risk of financial shortfalls if funding is lost.
Simultaneously, advancements in AI and automation are projected to eliminate or transform up to 20-25% of jobs in the next decade, further emphasizing the need for economic resilience and workforce adaptability in every sector of business.
Every industry is undergoing adjustments, impacting our country socially, financially, and structurally. We have reached a point that demands innovation, collective agreement, and sustainable solutions to elevate our regions—one challenge at a time.
CVested provides an anchor to fill this gap by providing a dedicated space where social entrepreneurs and mission-driven organizations can discuss strategies to navigate these challenges, adapt to new funding landscapes, and continue making a meaningful impact on their communities. By fostering collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and long-term sustainability planning.
