The INS Group includes a team of
professionals with over 75 years
of combined experience in
relevant fields including grant
writing, marketing,
organizational development,
public-private partnerships,
intergovernmental management and
research.
Ruth Peebles, President and Founder of The INS Group, offers more than 20 years of hands-on experience in nonprofit management, fundraising, organizational development and project management. Ms. Peebles has served as Associate Director and Development Officer for the North Carolina Caring Program for Children and the Director of Development for Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina.
Ms. Peebles received her bachelor's degree in Communications from Bowling Green State University in Ohio and holds a graduate degree in Public Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, specializing in nonprofit management and policy analysis. Additionally, she earned a certificate in nonprofit management from Duke University and a certificate in development from the Williamsburg Development Planning Institute.
Ms. Peebles is the creator of several successful instructional workshops (Grassroots
Fundraising, The ABC's of Grant Writing and Establishing an Effective Direct
Mail Campaign) as well as an instructor for the Duke University Certificate Program in Nonprofit Management and an adjunct instructor for the Master of Public Administration Program at North Carolina State University. She is a founding member of the NGAAP Fund (Next Generation of African American Philanthropists).
Carol Neal Rossi, Senior Consultant, is a communications consultant to numerous nonprofit organizations with experience in spokesperson media training, public relations campaign development, message/branding strategies, analysis of collateral materials, and writing of annual reports, newsletters and other organizational materials. Ms. Neal Rossi developed and implemented publicity and advocacy campaigns for
Physicians for Social Responsibility, Handgun Control Inc., The American Judges Association and The National Court Reporters Association. She
has also managed marketing programs for numerous for-profit companies and professional associations.
Education
- State University of New York, Bachelor of Arts in English
- London University - Journalism Program, Intern (BBC)
Experience
- Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina, Communications Director
- The National Law Journal, Editor
- Issues, Inc., Principal
Publications
- Recognizing & Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect: A Training Curriculum for Professionals Working with School-Aged Children, Author
Staci Patterson Rucker, J.D., Grant Writer and Researcher, has provided legal representation for nonprofit and public agencies while practicing in the healthcare and litigation sections of major law firms in Washington, DC and Atlanta, GA. Ms. Rucker has lobbying and consulting experience in various substantive areas including higher education, community economic development, and lower income housing, and has assisted medical schools in securing government funding for medical research projects. Ms. Rucker has fundraising experience through projects with a Washington, DC based nonprofit committed to economic development and healthcare projects in Africa. Ms. Rucker has also served as an Adjunct Professor in the Legal Writing Program at North Carolina Central University School of Law.
Education
- Harvard Law School, Juris Doctor
- Howard University, Bachelor of Arts in Human Communication Studies
Experience
- North Carolina Central University School of Law, Adjunct Professor
- Thomas, Kennedy, Sampson and Patterson, Litigation Associate
- Reed Smith LLP, Litigation Associate
- Mintz Levin Cohen Ferris Glovsky and Popeo, Litigation Associate
Joanne Scharer, M.P.A., M.R.P., Grant Writer, has provided consulting services to a variety of nonprofit and public agencies in North Carolina including the
NC Department of Commerce, the NC Center for Public Policy Research, the NC Division of Social Services, the North Carolina Progress Board, the Institute of Government, and Housing Works, Inc.
Ms. Scharer has consulting experience in a variety of substantive areas including economic development, tax policy, child welfare, housing for people with disabilities, public education reform, higher education, environmental justice, and Hispanic/Latino health.
Education
- UNC at Chapel Hill, Master of Public Administration, Master of Regional Planning
- Appalachian State University, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
Michelle Serrano, Business and Marketing Consultant, developed her experience through an extensive career in both for profit and non profit sectors. Ms. Serrano uses her experience as an entrepreneur to help non profit organizations develop strategic planning and marketing campaigns. She has been recognized by the City of Winston Salem with a resolution for her entrepreneurial contributions to the Winston-Salem Community. In their premiere issue (March 2007), NC Signatures magazine recognized Ms. Serrano as one of nine signature entrepreneurs in the state of North Carolina. She is the co-founder of two non profit organizations: The MILLS (Making Investments in Lives, Legacies, and Securities) Foundation and the Games for Life Institute.
Education
- Davidson College, Bachelor of Arts in Religion
Experience
- Entrepreneur, Business Development and Marketing Consultant
- Pepsi Bottling Group, Corporate Trainer
- Workforce Development of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County, Board of Directors
- YWCA of Winston-Salem, Board of Directors, Finance Chair
- Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services, Training Consultant
- City of Charlotte, Employment & Training, Training Instructor
