we propel you.
About The Propel Agency
The Propel Agency is a socially responsible firm committed to supporting nonprofit organizations and philanthropic institutions to attain sustained excellence in their performance. The agency specializes in offering customized leadership coaching and comprehensive management support to nonprofit entities, as well as delivering personalized guidance to donors and philanthropic organizations to optimize their philanthropic strategies.
our people
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Supports nonprofit and for profit enterprises with strategic management expertise. Ivan served as a corporate attorney in Washington, DC, and practiced law for seven years before starting his career in education and nonprofit management. As a mentor, advocate, educator, and senior executive, Ivan is a principled strategist who brings over two decades of experience to his practice. He is dedicated to operating in excellence and delivering sustainable results to his clients and communities most in need. Ivan received his Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs from Emory University and his Juris Doctor degree from the Washington College of Law at American University.
ivan douglas
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Facilitates and maintains relationships with school districts, school leaders, and university partners. Mark has been an educator for twenty-five years and possesses sixteen years of school leadership experience, including Dean of Students, Special Education Coordinator, Assistant Principal, and Principal within the District of Columbia and Maryland. Mark’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, a Master’s of Education from Goucher College, a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Educational Leadership from Goucher College, and a Doctorate of Education in Administrator Leadership from Walden University. Mark leads Propel schools and school district’s engagement practice.
Mark Nash
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Supports nonprofit and for profit enterprises with strategic management expertise. For over 25 years Ricardo has served in various leadership and governance roles within the education, philanthropic, and advocacy sectors and has led community-change work both nationally and internationally. His management, fundraising, policy and advocacy, and community activism expertise has been utilized in leadership roles across public institutions and community-based organizations. Ricardo earned a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and a Master's degree in Social Work from the Boston University School of Social Work. Ricardo leads Propel’s leadership and strategic management practice.
View Ricardo’s extended bio here.
ricardo neal
what we do
Executive Leadership Coaching - We help leaders think deeply and strategically about their philosophy of success and how it may impact how they approach nurturing talent and achieving success in the workplace. Our coaching approach supports leaders as they evolve their style and elevate the institutions they lead to more sustainable and effective businesses.
Management and Governance Support - Many organizations have bold visions but lack the infrastructure to fully realize them. Propel bridges that gap. We provide hands-on operational support, guide critical decision-making, and help organizations build the systems and teams necessary for sustainable growth. From executing key functions to sourcing and placing exceptional talent, we work alongside our clients to determine when and how to scale operations—ensuring that every investment in people and systems drives long-term impact.
Branding and Visibility - A strong brand is more than presence; it communicates subject-matter authority, clarity, and connection. Propel, in a strategic partnership with the glu agency, helps organizations define and amplify their public voice. Together, we deliver comprehensive creative and communications support, from brand development and website design to digital campaigns and storytelling through media. With a focus on elevating mission-driven and minority-owned organizations, we ensure our clients are not only seen but understood, trusted, and positioned to lead in their space.
our clients
Our clients are diverse organizations anchored in communities and dedicated to creating change in the places where they are based.