Carinci Named one of McAllister & Quinn's 2023 Consultants of the Year

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I began my career as an art teacher in Baltimore City's Title I schools, where I quickly realized the gap between theoretical education (despite attending an R1) and practical skills development to truly serve students. This sparked my journey towards a doctorate on an interdisciplinary Institute of Education Sciences fellowship, where I immersed myself in coursework spanning sociology, public health, and education. Transitioning from academia to practice, I accepted the role of inaugural Director of Research, Innovation, and Data Strategy at the nation's newly formed educator preparation accreditor. This position allowed me to hone my leadership and initiative-building skills, lead cross-functional teams, develop and evaluate evidence for accreditation standards, and spearhead initiatives to bridge the gap between research and practice.

My foray into the world of grants began here – where I went from having never worked on a grant to writing, managing, and successfully completing over $1,000,000 worth of grants and inkind service work (from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Spencer Foundation, W. K. Kellogg Foundation, and ED) that allowed me to grow my department of one to four employees and a stable of contractors.

Building on this foundation, I've specialized in launching start-up ventures for high-profile national initiatives. At AAAS, I developed a $12M portfolio, including IUSE and Noyce awards, managing our corporate partnership with L'Oréal USA Fellowships for Women in Science, and an ambassador program funded by Lyda Hill Philanthropies where high-profile, cross-sector STEM professionals serve as role models for middle school girls. As the inaugural Executive Director of a groundbreaking $8M NSF-funded initiative, I led efforts to identify and develop transformative engineering research directions.

Now based in Lexington, South Carolina, consulting allows me to prioritize family time with my husband, daughter Juniper (a budding entrepreneur and cellist), and son Sawyer (a Mandarin immersion student and blossoming pianist).

How would you describe your area of expertise?

I have always been a bit of a generalist. I grew up in Wilmington, Delaware where I attended small schools and participated in almost every activity available – everything from soccer and Science Olympiad captain, to Model UN (which surprisingly came in handy recently reviewing for an NSF Security and Preparedness client), to winning a Congressional Art Award, to community service at nonprofits and summer camps that shaped my career path.

My undergraduate degree is in General Fine Arts, with minors in Art History, Language & Literature, and General Studies. (While drawing 50 hands in a week does not help me so much in my day job, surviving sometimes brutal and esoteric critiques allows me to focus and leverage constructive feedback for improvement).

Before entering consulting, I have been on nearly all sides of grants – PI, project manager, writer, executive director, governance and advisory board member, panel reviewer, review process developer, and funder partner. I also have conceptualized and implemented projects at local and national scales involving complex partnerships with national organizations, professional societies, state regulators, employers, boards/committees, artists, researchers, funders, higher education and P-12 educators, student teachers, students, and families. These partnerships have spanned sectors – academia, industry, and government – and crossed disciplines.

As a result, I thrive and provide the most value to complex, convergent projects with big visions where I can help strategize and aid in practical tips for feasibility and impact, so clients can not only improve chances of winning awards but also successfully achieving their goals. Threads throughout my career include

translating vision into action, shaping new initiatives, fostering interdisciplinary and cross-sector collaboration, improving access and outcomes, broadening participation, and creating transformational shifts – e.g., around perceptions of women and girls in STEM, a culture of evidence in educator preparation, crowdsourcing bold fundamental research directions, etc.

How did you get involved with the M&Q Grants Consultant Network?

When I decided to step back from my ~80-hour/week executive director position to explore entrepreneurship, I was not quite sure where the journey would lead me. Through serendipity a conversation with Kavita Mitapalli, CEO of independent research and program evaluation company MNA, whom I’d met through organizing NSF PI conferences while at AAAS, led her to introduce me to Jen and Kara. I am so grateful for Kavita’s generosity and for how seamlessly M&Q helped me transition into the world of consulting and very quickly make an impact on clients together.

While new consultants often struggle, this partnership helped me go from the idea of an LLC in the latter months of 2022 to positioning Carinci Consulting as a flourishing S-Corp poised to scale.

P.S. If you are looking for a quality evaluator to be a thought partner for clients, I highly recommend Kavita and her experience leading over 50 NSF grant evaluations for 20+ programs across most states!

How would you describe your first project/bid experience?

I was thrilled when after a few tries, I won a bid. For my first project, I had the pleasure of working with Brittany on an MRI for a Hispanic-serving teaching institution new to M&Q and to grants in general. While it was a lot of work to focus their efforts and nail down the specific instrumentation and a compelling case for its

need, the team of three faculty was a delight to see their growth and dedication – not only to this proposal but to their department and particularly their students. As a former educator and mentor projects like this (as well as LEAPS-MPS, BRC-BIO, and CAREER) where I get to work with faculty new to their institutions and grants have been particularly gratifying.

How would you describe your experience working with M&Q thus far?

Not only have M&Q projects allowed me to guide novices, but I have also been able to contribute to rethinking unsuccessful proposals, strategize on continuations, and work with seasoned PIs on ambitious projects with transformative potential. One such veteran commented that his previous proposal writing experiences “have ranged from ‘I learned something from this’ to torture and trauma” but that the behemoth on which we worked “set a new precedent” where he “actually had fun.” It’s these gratifying experiences that I keep in mind when difficult situations with projects manifest.

With M&Q I am afforded the opportunity to put the spectrum of my expertise to work writing, reviewing, and coaching (my favorite) for exciting clients across a range of agencies, project types, and disciplines. So far these have included: NSF (Noyce, CyberCorps, S-STEM, ITEST, ATE, ExLENT, MRI, Capacity, TRALBLAZER, SoO, Security and Preparedness, Mid-scale Research Infrastructure-2, IUSE, HSI, IGE, GEO-EMBRACE, Racial Equity, Engines, BRC-BIO, PIPP, CREST, and REU), ED (RPED, Title III, Title V, PSSG), DOD (ONR and AFOSR), NOAA (B-WET), HUD, SAMHSA, NEH, DOJ, Google Cyber Security Clinics Fund, and IMLS Laura Bush 21st C. Librarian program.I’ve worked with so many good people at M&Q. I can’t wait to see what new opportunities and adventures the rest of 2024 brings!

What advice do you have for new members on being successful in the network?

Congratulations to all the new faces in M&Q’s vibrant constellation of grants consultants! Embarking on this journey, you're not just a consultant; you're a craftsman of dreams, helping to weave the fabric of future innovations and missions. My nugget of wisdom? Cultivate a trifecta of reputation: quality, reliability, and relationship.

First off, quality is your signature—every proposal you craft is a testament to your expertise and dedication. It's like being an artist; each stroke (or keystroke) should be deliberate and meaningful. Your proposals don't just need to meet the standards; they should soar above them, making funders pause, reflect, and ultimately,

sign on the dotted line.

Next up, reliability. In our world, deadlines are as sacred as the last slice of pizza at a team meeting—everyone wants it, but only the deserving get it. Be the person who delivers consistently, turning in proposals that are impeccable. This reliability becomes your brand, making you the go-to consultant when the stakes are high.

Lastly, relationships are the cornerstone of our profession. We're in the business of trust, whether it's with clients, M&Q directors, or even fellow consultants. Like building a bridge, every interaction is an opportunity to add a supportive beam or a reinforcing strut. Be genuine, be supportive, and always be willing to listen and learn.

These bridges will not only carry you over troubled waters but also help you cross into realms of opportunity you never imagine.

Remember, in this network, you're more than a consultant; you're a beacon of hope and a driver of change. Your work lights the way for missions to find their funding and for visions to become realities. Build your reputation through diligent work, forge lasting relationships, and always, always aim for the stars—because in our line of work, reaching them isn't just a dream, it's a very real possibility. Welcome aboard, and here's to crafting proposals that change the world, one grant at a time!