Meet the Staff of My Dutch Uncle

Nidus: 1. a nest or breeding ground. 2. a central point or locus, especially for the growth of a living organism. 3. a place where something originates, accumulates, or develops.

My Dutch Uncle cofounder John Golenski likes to describe the team we’re building—both in and outside our headquarters—as a nidus, a term adopted from his work in the healthcare industry. The key characteristic of this nidus is the creative energy it holds. What generates that energy is a core of individuals working together with singleness of purpose, shared values, and strong bonds of mutual respect and affection.

Our team members collectively have close to a century’s experience in nonprofits: on staffs, boards, or both. Over those careers, we’ve survived more crises than the average nonprofit will ever face—so we know how to help you see to the far side of your organizational challenges. We’ll be a sounding board for your hopes and dreams, while keeping your operations firmly rooted in reality.

As individuals, we identify deeply with the values that drive our clients: the primacy of compassionate action, the need for beauty in all forms, and the spiritual dimensions of community life. A small nonprofit like yours is a potential source of great energy and creativity … another nidus! Our job is to support you and empower your mission.

The People at 617 Front Street

Tashi

Employee Retention Specialist
Found abandoned in a PetSmart shopping cart, Tashi was adopted and given a second chance in the field of nonprofit HR. Read Tashi’s bio.

Edgar Brenninkmeyer

President
My Dutch Uncle cofounder Edgar Brenninkmeyer has been engaged with many nonprofit organizations—typically as an enthusiastic participant at first, often as a donor, and finally as a board member. Read Edgar’s bio.

John D. Golenski, EdD

CEO
Cofounder John Golenski brings to My Dutch Uncle the perspective of having served as an executive for several major nonprofits, along with his diverse background in pediatric psychology, health policy consulting, and pastoral care. Read John’s bio.

Russell D. Lee, PhD

Director of Innovation
Russell is tasked with developing My Dutch Uncle’s healthcare consulting practice. Read Russell’s bio.

Rev. Peter R. McGrath

Director of Client Operations
Peter is My Dutch Uncle’s liaison among our clients, staff, and other team members. In this role, he typically is coordinating a range of services for each client. Read Peter’s bio.

RuthE. Wells

Administrator
RuthE. Wells is an administrative professional with strong experience in promotional writing and association management. At My Dutch Uncle, she handles whatever needs to be done. Read RuthE.’s bio.

Mark Fabbri

Manager, Database Operations & Training
Mark brings more than 15 years of fundraising experience to his role as database guru for My Dutch Uncle’s clients. Read Mark's bio.

Janet Smith

Controller
Nonprofits have benefited from Janet’s highly developed accounting skills for more than 20 years. Read Janet’s bio.

Cristina Bailey

Manager, Research & Grant Writing, and Publications Editor
Cristina brings extensive research and writing experience to her role of managing the grant needs of My Dutch Uncle’s clients. She has written winning proposals for a variety of nonprofit organizations. Read Cristina's bio.

Spencer Doyle

Project Associate
A graduate of UC Berkeley, Spencer has experience in fundraising, managing events and volunteers, and developing effective leadership and powerful campaigns. He currently assists My Dutch Uncle's development team with its nonprofit clients, and is helping to develop the company's healthcare consulting practice. Read Spencer's bio.