Staff
Grace and Associates
Inspiring Courage, Hope and Action for Just Communities
Bill Grace is a social justice activist, a traveling teacher, storyteller, and an architect of ideas.
From 1976 to 1991, Bill served in higher education, promoting ideas related to moral and civic responsibility, service learning and global citizenship. In 1991 Bill founded the Center for Ethical Leadership and served as Executive director for 14 years. The Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the common good through ethical leadership, civic responsibility and collaborative problem solving. His current research and writing focuses on understanding Deep Hope, Moral Courage and Wisdom from the Margins—as well as other sources of motivation that have inspired transformational leaders to courageously pursue justice.
Bill promotes leadership that is grounded in spiritual development and compassion both of which deepen our commitment to pursue a just, peaceful and sustainable world. He touches audiences deeply with a heartfelt commitment to global justice, peace and sustainability. Seminar participants and audience members report being inspired by Bill’s passion, authenticity and humility.
Bill Grace, Founder
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Larry Pennings is committed to development of conscious, effective leaders and life-sustaining, spirit-animated organizations. His skills at deep listening and capacity to
ask insightful questions help clients gain a greater understanding of their complex situations. Larry possesses a high level of competence at penetrating below the surface of both personal and organizational dynamics, expanding the range of options for effective leadership action. Larry brings his own integrity and strength of character to every consultation relationship. His steady, grounded presence creates a context where difficult issues may be safely addressed and where leaders may regain a sense of perspective in the midst of perplexing situations. With compassion and grace, Larry encourages understanding and acceptance of current reality while inviting exploration of the next steps toward accomplishment of vision. He has the gift of inspiring others to reach for their fullest potential. Larry's practice is built upon his own intensive journey of personal, spiritual and organizational exploration. Larry has provided leadership to religious congregations for nearly twenty years and served on the staff and as interim director for the Foundation for Community Encouragement. He holds a Masters Degree in Management from the Center for Creative Change at Antioch University, Seattle and a Doctorate from San Francisco Theological Seminary. His study focused on Tending The Collective Spirit, a spiritually-based approach to organizational transformation.
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Larry Pennings
Sally is committed to supporting people in creating inspired, flourishing and sustainable lives.
Sally brings a background to her coaching and consulting that creates a unique connection with professionals. She received her MS from the University of Washington’s School of Civil Engineering, and a BA in Biology from the Evergreen State College. She worked for over 25 years for federal and city governments (National Forest Service, US Environmental Protection Agency, the Government of Guam, and Seattle Public Utilities). Her experience included leadership roles in numerous policy, technical and legal arenas, and she received numerous prestigious national and regional awards as an exceptional executive, manager and leader.
Sally’s love of life and people led her to a two year loan to the Guam Environmental Protection Agency where she worked with people of diverse cultures on many challenging issues. While there, she and her family traveled extensively, and visited beautiful and remote areas and villages. More recently, Sally and her daughter volunteered in Ghana to teach young students.
Sally completed an International Coach Federation-certified coach training program, which complimented her years of work-related training, coaching and mentoring. She then started her own business as a life and business coach and consultant. She continues her coach and leadership training through a variety of venues to ensure that she can be a valuable partner with others committed to making a difference in theirs and others lives.
Sally Marquis
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Dorothy is committed to helping people and organizations become the best they can for the world!
Grounded in a love of music and theatre, Dorothy discovered early on a deep joy and fulfillment through creative collaboration. She is passionate about helping people reawaken their creativity and wholeness. A collaborator at heart, she excels at bringing many voices together in the orchestration of creative, sustainable transformation.
With a professional background in higher education administration and an M.A. in Whole Systems Design specializing in Organizational Systems Renewal, Dorothy connects with people through training, facilitation, coaching, and process consultation services in the areas of whole-system engagements, leadership development, and personal mastery. She specializes in values-based leadership, and transformation of conflict into positive, supportable resolutions. Dorothy is known for her insightful and deepening questions, to help individuals and organizations build the capacity to discover, understand, and move forward through complex challenges.
Dorothy lives on Whidbey Island in the state of Washington with her husband and two daughters.
Dorothy Baumgartner
Charles Ruthford
Charles brings over three decades of management and technical experience from large engineering, manufacturing and services organizations to Grace and Associates. His wide-ranging experience in engineering, manufacturing, information technology, sales, marketing, ethics, coaching, leadership development and change management give him the ability to understand an organization’s culture and identity issues it may be facing.
His proven skills in strategy development and implementation, leadership and organizational development, management science, whole systems design, large-scale systems integration, ethics program development, organizational and cultural assessment, change leadership, team building and facilitation, executive coaching and employee education and development provide him the ability to assist organizations in finding solutions to achieve the sustainable change they desire.
He has a Masters of Science in Management from Stanford University and a Bachelors in Mathematics from the University of Washington.
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