OUR TEAM
LYNNE GILLILAND
FOUNDER and CEO
CEO and Founder of LG Consulting, a world-class consulting firm.
She is a recognized thought leader for her work on leadership, organizational and resilient cultures, and CEO effectiveness.
Lynne has more than 40 years of experience in over 50 countries both as a practitioner in international development and as a CEO advisor, executive coach, and organizational consultant.
Lynne leads a team of outstanding and seasoned professionals who are wizards in making a difference with people and organizations in the international space. Lynne also is the creator and host of the popular podcast Lessons From Leaders, is the co-author of numerous research papers, and chairs round tables and forums on issues pertinent to today’s challenges.
BEN GARBER
CFO and PARTNER
Ben has worked as a trainer throughout his 40 plus year professional career. As a senior learning and development specialist Ben has trained managers and executives in a broad range of professional skills, including presentation skills and techniques.
Ben has been creating and delivering professional presentations for 30 plus years. He founded his own motivational speaking business, where he worked as a professional speaker with government agencies, NGOs, and commercial businesses. Ben has presented at several CMS (Center for Medicare and Medicaid) national conferences.
Most recently, Ben worked as the Senior Communications Lead on a CMS contract where he also trained leaders in presentation skills. . He has also worked as a video editor, voiceover talent, training manager, instructional designer, and international trainer.
Ben has a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Masters of Social Work Administration degree from the University of Maryland. Ben lives in Maryland with his wife and two cats. He is a singer/songwriter, guitar player, and recently started to learn the piano.
TOM DENTE
CHIEF of STRATEGY and GROWTH
Tom Dente has extensive experience as an advisor, consultant, and leader assisting nonprofit and commercial organizations over a thirty-year career to achieve their full potential. Currently, he advises nonprofit leaders and organizations on strategy, board engagement, and organizational performance.
Previously, Tom served as the first President and CEO of Humentum, a global international NGO membership association focused on NGO operational excellence. Prior to Humentum, Tom served as InsideNGO’s CEO and COO before leading a three-way merger with LINGOs and Mango UK to create Humentum.
Earlier in his career, Tom was a partner at both Bain & Company and Kearney Inc., two global management consulting firms, advising senior leaders at commercial and nonprofit organizations on strategy development, organizational effectiveness, and performance improvement in a 20+ year career.
Tom graduated from Dartmouth College and received his MBA from Columbia University. He currently serves on the Boards of PM4NGOs and the Rwanda Education Assistance Project and has previously served on the Board of InterAction, the leading alliance of US based International NGOs.
OUSSAMA MEZOUI
SENIOR CONSULTANT
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Oussama Mezoui is a passionate, people-oriented nonprofit leader who enjoys diagnosing, resolving, and transforming nonprofits to best serve their mission. From 2016 to 2021, he served as the Founder & CEO of Penny Appeal USA, an organization committed to alleviating poverty in the US and overseas. During his tenure, the organization raised over $25m USD from individuals, companies, and foundations. Prior to establishing Penny Appeal USA, he served in several positions for nonprofit organizations in the UK and the US, where he has held the titles of Campaigns Manager, Chief of staff, and VP of Programs.
Currently, he advises nonprofit organizations on executive team development, strategy, fund development, and overall organizational performance. He also serves as an executive advisor to nonprofit leaders and designs and leads high impact organizational and team retreats.
He currently serves as a Board Director of Oxfam America, a global organization that fights inequality to end poverty and injustice. He also serves on the board of the Institute of Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU), a DC based nonprofit organization that provides objective research and education about American Muslims. In the past, he has served as a Board Director of Our Three Winners Foundation and InterAction, the largest alliance of international NGOs and partners in the United States.
CHRISTINA BUGGAPPA
LEAD CONSULTANT
With over 15 years of experience in organizational development, Christina has
assessed organizational strengths and opportunities, supported strategy development, created systems that were operationally effective, and identified tools and approaches that ensure progress in achieving goals and objectives. Each step of the way, Christina believes that culture informs decision-making, the ability to apply diversity, equity, and inclusion lens in all aspects of work, and an empathetic approach, help bring leaders and team members along in change management
initiatives.
Christina brings hands-on expertise having served as the Chief of Staff and Director
for Strategic Initiatives for a mid-size international nonprofit. Christina is a graduate
of the University of Maryland and is certified in Project Management for
Development Professionals.