Who We Are
High Gear Consulting Group was founded by Jenn Richards in 2018. Jenn is a nonprofit leader with over 15 years’ experience in fundraising, strategic marketing and communications, project management, staff management, and program design.
She has worked with nonprofit organizations including Teach for America, the Association for Public Art, and the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania. Jenn has a proven track record of securing funding from new and nontraditional sources, designing and implementing innovative programming, creating and carrying out multi-year initiatives, building strong relationships, and leading diverse teams through periods of change.
Maureen Maier joined High Gear Consulting Group in 2020, and brings with her over 20 years’ experience in nonprofit and public sector leadership, with expertise in program design and delivery, staff management, project management, and partnership strategy. She is a firm believer in the power of collaboration between organizations and sectors, and utilizes asset mapping strategy to help organizations maximize on their strengths within this framework. Maureen’s ability to develop meaningful program strategy and lead teams through data-driven decision-making has led to increased funding for key initiatives, successful organizational pivots during times of change, and strong fiscal and staff management.
Maureen has served in leadership roles with the City of Philadelphia and Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania, and is currently the board co-president for the Friends of JS Jenks, a neighborhood public school in Philadelphia.
As High Gear Consulting’s Connected Communities lead, Maureen’s focus areas include Program Strategy, Landscape Audit/Asset Mapping Work, and Strategic Plan Implementation and Execution.