Selected Team Member Profiles
Vanessa Adame
Vanessa is a management consultant with experience in data analysis, legislative and budget analysis, and emergency grants management. She is skilled in collaborating with diverse stakeholders within federal, state, and local agencies. Vanessa earned her Master of Public Policy (MPP) from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law.
Nikki Angle
Nikki has been an information technology management consultant since 1987, with expertise in planning, design, development, testing, and project management for large-scale system implementations. Prior to joining Highlands Consulting, Nikki was a management consultant at CGI. She has deep experience in all phases of the systems development life cycle. Nikki is a certified Project Management Professional and certified Prosci Change Management Practitioner. She earned her MBA from CSU Long Beach.
Austin Blair
Austin is a management consultant focused on research, financial analysis, and operational improvement. He has over 11 years of business experience, including five years in management roles involving scorecard development and leadership training. Austin holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from California State University, Sacramento. He is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).
Mike Cappelluti President
Mike CappellutiPresident
Mike has been a management consultant since 1990, with a focus on executive management facilitation, strategic planning, process redesign, and organizational change management. Prior to founding Highlands Consulting in 2002, Mike was a management consultant at Price Waterhouse and Synergy Consulting. He provides strategic guidance and quality assurance for all the firm’s projects. Mike is a certified Project Management Professional and certified Prosci Change Management Practitioner. He earned an MBA from the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business.
Jessica Clark HR Manager
Jessica ClarkHR Manager
Jessica has 20 years of experience in organizational management and human resources. She has been a small business owner, a strategic planning business consultant, and HR Director for a large manufacturing company. She is responsible for both strategic and tactical human resources activities of the firm. Jessica earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Global Studies from Sacred Heart University. She is fluent in Spanish.
Dan Conway Director
Dan ConwayDirector
Dan has over 25 years of consulting experience, with expertise in planning, designing, developing, testing, and managing large-scale systems implementations. He has managed numerous system implementations with budgets exceeding $20 million utilizing Agile and Waterfall methods. Prior to joining Highlands Consulting, Dan held senior positions with Price Waterhouse and HPE. He is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP), Certified Scrum Master (CSM), and has a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from CSU Sacramento.
Will Cuper
Since 2000, Will has performed in both technical and business roles, with a focus on project management, organizational change management, and business process improvement. Prior to joining Highlands Consulting, Will was a system integration consultant at Accenture. Experienced in all aspects of project planning and execution, he is skilled at communicating with program and technical stakeholders. Will is a certified Project Management Professional, Certified Scrum Master, Rapid Process Improvement facilitator, and is also certified in the Prosci Change Management methodology. Will earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Rutgers University.
Abby Darrah
Abby began her consulting career in 1995 gaining experience in all phases of the system development life cycle working for CGI, Deloitte, and Synergy Consulting. Her focus is on large-scale organizational change management and business process analysis. Abby holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Management Information Systems from CSU Sacramento. She is certified in the Prosci Change Management methodology.
Michael Fellers
Michael has been a public sector consultant since 1997 providing technology planning, business process analysis, and project management. He has extensive experience with government accounting standards, processes, and data. Prior to joining Highlands Consulting, Michael worked at KPMG and Cambria Solutions. He is a certified Project Management Professional and has an MBA from UC Davis.
Hilary Fong
Hilary has more than eight years of management consulting experience with advanced skills in strategic planning, business process reengineering, market research, requirements analysis, and program evaluation. She is a Certified Business Analysis Professional. Hilary possesses a Bachelor of Arts from UC Berkeley and a Ph.D. from Yale University where she was an instructor for seven years.
Mark Graziano
Mark has over 20 years of public sector experience, with a focus on communications, organizational change management, executive management facilitation, and business process improvement. He is a Certified Prosci Change Management Practitioner, Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, and Certified Project Management Professional. Mark holds an MBA in Strategy and Management and is fluent in Spanish.
Demetre Haralambakis
Demetre began his consulting career in 1997 with KPMG, specializing in configurable COTS software implementations. He now focuses on project management, organizational change management, procurement, and process improvement. Demetre is a certified Project Management Professional, Prosci Change Management Practitioner, Scrum Product Owner, and Scrum Master. He is also certified in the Lean Six Sigma methodology. Demetre has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from UCLA.
Rachel Jacobs
Rachel is a management consultant focused on policy research, program analysis, and statewide communications. She is skilled in virtual facilitation and collaboration with diverse stakeholders across the state. Rachel holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from the McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific.
Eunji Kim
Eunji is a management consultant experienced in public sector programs and evaluations, with a focus on qualitative research and data analysis. She has developed complex data-driven reports for government healthcare and transportation programs. Eunji holds a Master of Public Policy (MPP) from the School of Global Policy and Strategy, University of California at San Diego.
Sean Lemar
Sean is a management consultant with experience in communications, business process analysis, and analytic research. He holds a Master in Public Policy and Administration (MPPA) from California State University, Sacramento. Sean is also a Certified Scrum Master (CSM) and is a Certified Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt (ICYB).
Judy Melson
Since 2007, Judy has provided program and project management, strategic planning, marketing, budgeting, business analysis, and organizational change management services. Prior to joining Highlands, Judy was a Program Director at the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development. She is a certified Project Management Professional, certified Pega Business Architect, and certified Prosci Change Management Practitioner. Judy holds an MBA from UC Davis and is fluent in Spanish.
Eric Norton Director
Eric NortonDirector
Eric has been a consultant since 1995, with diverse experience in strategic planning, business process improvement, feasibility study development and system implementation. Recently, he has focused on large-scale program development and management. He is a certified Project Management Professional and also certified in the Prosci Change Management methodology. He has an MBA from CSU Sacramento.
Dan Oen
Dan is our Digital/Graphic Designer. He has more than 20 years of visual design experience and enjoys collaborating with diverse teams. He has developed digital and print assets for a variety of audiences and has been awarded three design patents. Dan has an Associate of Arts degree in Communications / Graphic Design and a Bachelor of Arts in Industrial Design (BID) from the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York.
Jacob Olson
Jacob has been a public sector information technology consultant since starting his career with Accenture in 2014. He focuses on organizational change management, facilitation, business process reengineering, and training for large-scale information technology projects. Jacob is a certified Project Management Professional and certified Prosci Change Management Practitioner. He has a Bachelor of Arts in History from CSU Sacramento.
Tehwan Park
Tehwan is a management consultant focused on financial analysis, stakeholder engagement, and communications. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Earth and Space Sciences from the University of Washington. Tehwan is also fluent in Korean.
Charles Roberts
Charles is a management consultant with a focus on policy research, financial and data analysis, and process improvement. He is also a veteran with four years of military leadership experience, supervising troops during combat missions. Charles has a Master of Public Policy (MPP) from McGeorge School of Law and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).
Nancy Schneidewind Office Manager
Nancy SchneidewindOffice Manager
Nancy has been an administrative professional since 1990 and is responsible for all office operations including accounting, infrastructure, and technical support. She also oversees proposal and client deliverable production. Nancy started her career with Price Waterhouse. She helps us feel happy and cared about every day.
Jim Turko Director
Jim TurkoDirector
Jim has been a management consultant since 1996, with a specialty in organizational change management and business process analysis for large-scale information technology initiatives. He is a Certified Change Management Professional (CCMP), certified Prosci Change Management Instructor, and certified Project Management Professional. He earned his Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Southern California.
Shana Wedemeyer Director
Shana WedemeyerDirector
Shana has performed consulting business development since 1991, including market strategy, opportunity analysis, partnering, proposal management, and procurement. Prior to joining Highlands Consulting, she managed new business pursuits for EDS, then KPMG. Shana has a Bachelor’s degree in Managerial Economics from UC Davis.