Gregory Nielsen

President and CEO

Gregory is an experienced nonprofit CEO and consultant committed to helping leaders and organizations excel. Gregory has earned the prestigious BoardSource Certificate in Nonprofit Board Consulting. He is also a frequent public speaker on nonprofit leadership and governance.

Gregory previously served as CEO of the Center of Nonprofit Excellence (CNPE), expanding the reach of the organization to serve more than 500 nonprofit organizations through consulting and professional development. During this time, Gregory also helped launch Destination:Excellence, a 6 month leadership development program for nonprofit executives and Circles of Excellence, a peer-to-peer learning program for nonprofit leaders. The growth and accomplishments of CNPE under his leadership were recognized locally and nationally, and the organization was honored with awards from the Better Business Bureau for Ethics and the Louisville Urban League for championing diversity.

Gregory joined CNPE with more than a decade of experience in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Prior to joining CNPE, he was the Executive Director for Green Hill Therapy, a nonprofit specializing in rehabilitative care for children with special needs and a Vice President with Bank of America.

Gregory is a military veteran, having previously served as an officer and attorney in the United States Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Government and International Relations from the University of Notre Dame and a Juris Doctorate from Notre Dame Law School.

In 2016, Gregory was named a “40 Under 40” honoree by Louisville Business First publication.

Josie Raymond

Project Associate

Josie Raymond is an educator and policymaker committed to systems change to end poverty. As a former recipient of free lunch in public schools, she devoted her career to strategic programs and interventions for low-income students and families, as a middle school teacher, high school academic affairs director, higher ed success coach, and adult trainer. As the first Kentucky state representative to give birth in office, she continually advocates for policies to support mothers and families, including paid leave and affordable childcare. She founded and led a citywide advocacy coalition to bring universal pre-k to her hometown of Louisville, KY. She is a graduate of Columbia University and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.