Testimonials

Our agency was fortunate to be assigned to Peter through a Western New York GetSET initiative. In our initial interview with Peter, we knew he was a great match for our agency and the right fit to guide us toward our goals. Don’t let his soft-spoken and patient approach fool you; he is absolutely laser-focused and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. Unlike many consultants, Peter does not simply give you a list of things to do to improve your organization and wish you good luck. He stays with you, often lifting the heavier parts of the workload himself.

In our case, he worked with a large team with diverse backgrounds and opinions, listened carefully, and kept us on task in spite of differing ideas and approaches. We managed to accomplish impressive and measurable change in agency image and brand, leadership development, and fundraising strategies, just to name a few. He helped us grasp the heady concept of a value proposition statement and craft a beautiful and concise presentation. When was the last time you didn’t groan over the need to revisit your mission and vision? Peter made it the most painless process we’ve ever experienced, “herding the cats” of our team with efficiency and deep respect. He truly cares about his clients and their outcomes, and I would love to have the opportunity to work with him in the future!
— Tina Zerbian, Chief Executive Officer, CCA - Connecting Communities in Action
I am so grateful we did not delay our engagement with Peter and embarked on this journey during the global pandemic. Peter helped to strengthen our governance structure and assess alignment of current programs to mission during a time of unprecedented crisis. The process helped us create a strong shared vision for the future of Ibero. I highly recommend Peter to any nonprofit organization and thank him for his lasting impact on Ibero
— Angelica Perez-Delgado, President & CEO, Ibero-American Action League
Working with Peter was one of the best decisions I made during my board presidency. While in a time of critical organizational transition, Peter quickly conducted an in-depth organizational assessment that enabled the board to clearly understand our current reality; helped facilitate focused, crucial conversations that moved the organization forward; and provided high-level guidance and advice to keep the board and staff on track. In addition to his tremendous expertise and ability to deliver impactful results, Peter is an absolute pleasure to work with. I would highly recommend him to any not-for-profit organization.
— Angela C. Winfield, Esq., Former Chairman of the Board, United Way of Cayuga County
United Way of the Greater Capital Region engaged TheCarpinoGroup this year to undertake a review of our resource development efforts. Peter involved our entire staff, key community leaders, and our Board of Directors in developing a strategic framework that will guide our fundraising over the next few years. This framework has been embraced by our entire organization and many of the strategies he suggested already are bringing success. I would highly recommend Peter to any nonprofit organization needing to sharpen its strategic focus or improve its governance, management, marketing, or fund raising.
— Brian Hassett, President and CEO, United Way of the Greater Capital Region
Finger Lakes Community College engaged Peter to assist the Board of Trustees during a challenging time of transition. His insight into board dynamics was invaluable and his practical suggestions to improve board operations allowed us to focus trustee energy more effectively on key issues. He is an excellent facilitator, able to expertly guide conversation and ensure that all voices are heard and respected. I am very grateful for Peter’s contributions, which will have a lasting positive impact on the college.
— Barbara Risser, Ed.D., President Emeritus, Finger Lakes Community College, Canandaigua, NY
When the Rochester and Finger Lakes Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association began the process of merging with the National Alzheimer’s Association, we turned to TheCarpinoGroup for support early on. Peter was a true partner with us through this journey...developing tools, providing input, and offering guidance to the executive team and volunteer leadership which made the process seamless and expedient. The tools that Peter developed were also offered to sister Alzheimer’s Association chapters nationwide, who were immensely grateful for the guidance.

If you are planning an organizational transition, I highly recommend bringing in Peter on the front end so can offer his respectful, yet firm, guidance.
— Teresa A. Galbier, MPA, President/CEO, Alzheimer’s Association, Rochester, NY
Peter’s work with Trillium Health during a time of rapid growth and change has been invaluable. He effectively partnered with me to restructure our Board meetings, engage Board members more effectively, and further the Board’s development. He also worked extremely well with our senior leadership to guide our strategic planning process, resulting in a plan that has enabled us to stay nimble and which continues to drive the direction of our organization and allocation of resources.
— Andrea DeMeo, President and CEO, Trillium Health, Rochester NY
The Center for Humanistic Change engaged Peter to help us clarify our strategy so we could be more responsive to today’s rapidly changing society. He challenged our ways of thinking, equipping both staff and Board members to engage in deeper, more productive conversations about ways in which we could better meet the community’s needs. Peter provided focused, respectful, honest, and expedient assistance during a time of significant change. His knowledge and expertise are varied and strong and his ability to facilitate and obtain consensus is exceptional.

I would recommend TheCarpinoGroup to any organization seeking to sharpen its focus and intensify its relevance.
— Arlene J. Lund, Executive Director, Center for Humanistic Change, Inc.
I engaged Peter’s services at a time when we needed to build Board member alignment and uncover program development opportunities. Peter quickly immersed himself into our service line specifics to the point of becoming more than a consultant. He became one of us trying to solve a problem. During this process, Peter successfully led us through a progression of planning and information gathering to facilitate constructive deliberation. His expertise helped us validate our ideas, create opportunities for expressing our agreements and disagreements, and ultimately determine what works best.

Any organization recognizing the need for an enhanced solution or a fresh perspective would benefit from a conversation with Peter. He is clearly skilled in all aspects of corporate governance, executive leadership, strategic development, and organizational behavior.
— Donna Fiscella, Former Executive Director, Children’s Health Home of Upstate New York.
Peter Carpino was selected from a pool of organizational development specialists to assist Harvest House Ministries in the GetSET organizational capacity building initiative for nonprofits. Peter was engaged during a critical time in our organization’s history. After 25 years in service, we were transitioning from being a founder-led to Board-led organization. Peter got to work quickly helping me, a new CEO, forge a genuine partnership with our Board which led us to take a bold step: creating and implementing a sustainability plan for our future. Peter provided expert guidance, helping us to address challenging issues and stay focused. With his help, we are moving forward as a team with a clear understanding of our mission, vision and goals… ensuring the future of our ministries and perpetuating the legacy of our founders.
— Carol C. Murphy, President, Harvest House Ministries
As a trained strategic plan facilitator, I was a bit skeptical when first introduced to Peter and his uniquely different approach to the strategic planning process. My trepidation quickly vanished during my first conversation with him. Our newly-formed regional college, which is unique in its educational delivery system and structure, needed someone with Peter’s skills and leadership to work with a diverse Board of Trustees and a new staff in laying the foundation for this institution. I was, and continue to be, impressed with Peter’s perceptiveness, understanding of the various individuals involved in the process, and quick responsiveness to changing/emerging needs within the organization. The plan that was constructed under Peter’s tutelage will serve as the keystone of our path forward and figure prominently in our accreditation process and subsequent state approvals.

I heartily and confidently recommend Peter’s services to any organization as he is highly professional, personable, easy to work with, and yields progressive, actionable results.
— Duane A. Vicini, Chief of Staff, Northern Pennsylvania Regional College
Elmcrest initially engaged TheCarpinoGroup to help our Board and management team refine and refocus our strategic plan. Peter’s guidance led us to decide which programs and services could be handed off to other organizations better equipped to provide them. We now are moving forward with renewed confidence in our core network of services and have the time, energy, and determination to pursue our “wildly important” strategic initiatives. Since then, we’ve also engaged Peter to work with us on succession planning, marketing, and broadening the scope of our development efforts.

Needless to say, we’re deeply grateful for his involvement, hard work, and uncommon skill.
— Joseph J. Geglia, Executive Director, Elmcrest Children’s Center, Syracuse NY
I entered my tenure as CEO of Meals on Wheels of Northampton County at a time when the board and its neighboring organization — Meals on Wheels of Lehigh County — were nearing the end of a tense merger. The legal merger occurred within six months of my starting. I was still in the throes of learning a new industry, although I had been a non-profit director for some time. Thankfully, I connected with Peter. He capably conducted a “deep dive” into the agency’s current position. He asked intuitive questions, listened intently, and quickly focused. As the CEO, it was important that I have someone with whom I could be candid and from whom I could accept guidance. Peter is that person. He is excellent at navigating board and staff relationships. Peter quickly got to work helping us craft a new mission statement, developing a strategy framework, and conducting governance and development audits. Peter’s guidance helped me get through the higher level work of the new agency, while staying on track with daily operations. I recommend him highly.
— Victoria Coyle, Chief Executive Officer, Meals on Wheels of the Greater Lehigh Valley
East House initially engaged THECARPINOGROUP to assist in developing a new fundraising Foundation. Peter created a “policies and procedures” manual that included revised by-laws and newly-drafted committee charters and also worked with my team to create a resource development plan that aligned with East House’s strategic plan. His contributions to my department were invaluable. He helped lessen our load; never missed a deadline; and always stayed on, or under, budget.

Peter also is an exceptional mentor. He actively listens to your ideas and frustrations; helps you realize your strengths and abilities; and then works with you to create an action plan. His contribution to my own professional growth has been inestimable. I strongly recommend Peter to any organization undergoing change or rapid growth. He is a terrific partner in helping organizations move out of the weeds, providing (what he calls) a “path forward.
— Michaela Neer, former Vice President of Development and Community Relations, East House
The first six months as a new executive can be a vulnerable time. Peter supported me in executing a leadership strategy that leaned in on the past, while still advancing our organization to the next level. He listened and served as mentor and confidante′ — just what I needed when discussing change strategies and tactical challenges. Peter offered tools that were tested and proven — providing me more time to focus on the work without wasting time reinventing the wheel. Thanks to his coaching, I was able to achieve and celebrate “quick wins.” His contributions were invaluable and I am deeply grateful to my board for its willingness to make this investment.
— Seanelle Hawkins, Ed.D., President and CEO, Urban League of Rochester
Peter did more than just facilitate our transition to a new board and clarify our mission and identity. He helped our board think about our relationships with other organizations and individuals as well as our dreams for our community and for students in the pipeline to become physicians. He worked with us to develop a path forward and a structure that will allow us to accomplish that mission. He helped me, personally, transition from being an implementer to a dreamer. Peter’s assistance and guidance was, and remains, invaluable.
— Linda M. Clark, MD, MS Board Chair, Black Physicians Network of Greater Rochester
Peter helped strengthen our organization for years to come. We were a small nonprofit that relied on our founding board members to continue our mission. It was becoming evident that our sustainability depended on positioning ourselves for the future. When we asked another local organization for recommendations, Peter’s name was at the forefront.

Peter examined our strengths and weaknesses and developed a plan to move us forward. He attended board meetings, learned about our organization, and was able to see exactly what we needed. He recommended revisions to our by-laws; staffed a governance committee; helped us recruit new board members; and recommended a committee structure. His contributions were invaluable.
— Ron Kampff Co-Founder, Challenger Miracle Field
We contracted with THECARPINOGROUP to lead us in our strategic planning process shortly after the long-tenured CEO retired. As the new leader, I found Peter’s decades of non-profit experience invaluable. He is highly skilled at helping establish a vision and direction for an organization. He offered resources and insights beyond our planning capabilities and communicated effectively with our staff, management team, and board. Peter came highly recommended by a number of trusted colleagues; I, too, recommend him for any of your organizational development needs.
— Mary Russo, President & CEO Mental Health Association of Rochester/Monroe, Inc.
After two decades, our organization made the decision to engage in its first ever strategic planning process. We couldn’t have found a better partner to help us with this effort than Peter. He empowers stakeholders by providing a space for honest dialogue that helps an organization arrive at a consensus of who it is, why it exists, and how it can live up to its mission. Peter is so much more than a consultant hired for a fixed time. He cares about the work of the organization and wants to help it adapt and grow in this dynamic world in which we find ourselves.
— Dave Seeley, Executive Director, RochesterWorks, Inc.