About Megan
Family. Community. Activism.
Megan is a mother, wife, friend, and strategic leader committed to building stronger communities through community-led solutions. She is also the Executive Director and founder of Alpine Achievers Initiative, a Colorado-based nonprofit focused on youth development.
Megan earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work with a concentration in non-profit leadership and development. She enjoys collaborating with organizations to create fiscally and programmatically sustainable programs that are responsive to community needs and feedback. In addition to founding three other Colorado nonprofits, Megan is passionate about supporting the growth and evolution of new programs. She is dedicated to providing tools and guidance that set clients up for long-term success while prioritizing core values of inclusivity and diversity in all interactions and actions.
Accomplishments
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Master of Science in Social Work
Focus: Community Administration and Leadership
University of Texas, Austin, TX — June 2008Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology
Texas A&M University, College Station, TX — May 2006Community Leaders in Health Equity Program
Transformative Alliances, Colorado — August 2020 - PresentNonprofit Leadership and Management Program
Community Resource Center, Colorado — February 2016 - December 2016 -
Successfully launched multiple nonprofit organizations, overseeing operations with annual budgets of up to $2.8 million.
Coordinated field placements for over 100 AmeriCorps interns, contributing more than 200,000 service hours and partnering with 30+ organizations while maintaining a 97% retention rate.
Played a key role in developing regional programs, including a new childcare center and racial justice initiatives, positively impacting over 7,000 residents annually.
Secured over $12 million in grant funding from federal, state, and private entities, including the U.S. Department of Social Services and the Department of Education.
Consulting Approach
Megan Strauss's consulting approach centers on establishing clients' long-term success by providing essential tools, expertise, education, and guidance. She is deeply committed to inclusivity and diversity and strives to center these values throughout all of her work. Megan's dedication to timely communication and structured interactions highlights her respect for clients' time and resources, making each engagement purposeful and progress oriented. Her collaborative ethic strives to foster a true partnership with clients, valuing their input to tailor locally relevant solutions and effectively address their unique needs.
America's Service Commissions (ASC) is pleased to announce that the 2023 ASC Training & Technical (TTA) Assistance Directory is now available, which features Strauss Consulting as a recommended resource.
This directory is a resource provided free of charge to connect state and territorial service commissions and national service and volunteer programs nationwide to high-quality trainers and consultants who are peer-recommended, are knowledgeable of our field, and/or have expertise on topics relevant to our network. These consultants have demonstrated a commitment to commissions and their programs.
Awards and Recognition
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2021 Community Cornerstone Award
The Cornerstone Award is intended to recognize individuals or organizations that show a consistent commitment to race, gender, and age equality by creating opportunities through employment, funding, and community outreach.
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Presenter: 2021 State of the Sector
This unique event, held by the Community Resource Center, is an opportunity for nonprofit leaders, foundation executives and staff, stakeholders, and sector supporters to connect and reflect.
Commitment to Equity
Megan is deeply committed to ensuring that all programs are developed with a strong focus on equity.
CURRENT INITIATIVES
Founding Member of Central Colorado Showing Up for Racial Justice
Engaged in an 18-month Community Leaders in Health Equity program.
