Our Team
We offer a team of skilled professionals and a wide array of services to fit your most immediate needs. From one-to-one advice, research-based best practices, strategic long and short term planning, branding, content creation, and group or individual training, we provide the bedrock for your ideas.
Dr. Nancy Barno Reynolds
Founder, CEO
Dr. Barno Reynolds offers over 25 combined years of experience in academics, arts, nonprofit, and small-business sectors throughout her professional career, using her research in civic and other critical literacies for teaching, learning and communicating. She is a former Associate Professor of Education, small business owner, and Executive Director of a county-wide nonprofit in Upstate NY, winning multiple awards for her work in the community. Currently, Barno Reynolds serves on Binghamton University Council, by appointment of the Governor of NYS. Nancy heads the team of experienced professionals at Veridian Consulting Group, which offers advice, research, development, and training to a variety of nonprofits, educators, small businesses, and artists.
Julie McCarthy
Julie is an English Language Educator who has more than 20 years experience teaching children and adults how to reach their English learning goals. She has taught ESL in public schools (K-12), in adult education and university settings, and online. Julie's teaching strategies are varied, with many rooted in the real life application of skills related to engagement with the spoken and written word in everyday life situations (school, work, social activity, and more).
Dr. Carol Mikoda
Dr. Mikoda is a retired academic, musician, and poet whose investigation of emerging writers underscored the need for more ungraded practice and choice of topic and genre. A singer and a student of piano and violin who taught herself to play guitar and bass, Carol performed professionally around the upstate area of New York for many years. Her poems appear in several literary journals, including Wild Greens and Snapdragon. Her first two chapbooks, While You Wait, and Wind and Water, Leaf and Lake, will be joined by a third, Outside of Time, to be published by Kelsay Books in fall of 2025. Her prose poem, “Jesus at the Pub,” was nominated for Best of the Net and The Pushcart Prize in 2024.
Mark Bowers
Mark is a 33-year veteran of the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), having spent 30 of those years in the Region’s Planning and Program Management Office. His early career was spent in the Region’s Construction Group. During his tenure in the Planning Department Mark gained a broad perspective in Program Management, Project Management as well as Public Involvement, and Local Project Administration, including the Federal Aid Reimbursement process. He has received several awards for his work, including the NYSDOT Award of Excellence and the Parks & Trails New York “Healthy Trails, Healthy People Award” for work on the implementation of the Greater Binghamton Greenway.
Sara Liu
Sara Liu, entrepreneur and business development leader, has built a successful restaurant and brand from the ground up. As an effective innovator, she understands the challenges faced by new business owners, particularly those who may also be underrepresented. She is extremely passionate about sharing her journey and serving as a mentor to her fellow entrepreneurs, guiding them through the seed stage, growth stage, and beyond. Sara is fully committed to equity and inclusion with an expertise in non-profit administration and resource development.
Ms. Liu brings over 10 years experience in organizational management through her work with several non profits, as well as through the creation of her own successful company.
DaVontae Heath
Da Vontae is a graphic designer specializing in Branding, Visual Identity, Logo, and Motion Design. With a style of symbolic elegance, his focus is creating bold and dynamic design solutions for brands to represent themselves with insight, integrity, and impact. Since earning his Graphic Design BFA from Binghamton University, he has worked as a freelancer, designing logos, branding, & social media work for small businesses and ambitious startups. Additionally, he crafted the in-person workshop “Branding Black Business,” sharing his knowledge, giving back to his cultural community, and establishing himself as an educator.
His creative ethos was built from a foundation of 15 years studying dance. This extensive experience has cultivated an aptitude and appreciation for work ethic, collaboration, and sacrifice. Working with others has honed his personable style of communication, leading with an empathic intuition that aims to empower others.
Julie Haber
Julie is a skilled certified coach, business owner, consultant, counselor, mediator, workshop leader and guest speaker. Her goal is to help you lean into your clearest, strongest and most authentic version of yourself.
As a seasoned professional, committed to doing her part in helping the world move in the direction of being a healthier and more inspired place, she is confident this happens one person at a time- and it starts with YOU.
Offering a 30-year-long career in the holistic spa/resort industry, she believes true success can only happen with an integrative wellness model based on: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. Julie can help you and your team reach your business goals with authenticity, passion and heart.
Dr. Gloria DiFulvio
Dr. DiFulvio has been active in higher education for over 30 years. A dedicated educator and mentor, Gloria has received numerous awards for teaching excellence, including the Riegelman Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Public Health Education. She has a commitment to inclusive teaching and global education developing and leading student trips to Cuba, Costa Rica, and Cyprus.
Gloria's research and community-based projects explore themes of social connectedness, health equity, and identity, including digital storytelling initiatives on intergenerational connections, gender diversity and survivorship.
An active speaker and thought leader, Gloria has presented at conferences and forums on topics such as intergenerational belonging and community health. Her documentary and storytelling projects have shed light on critical public health issues, amplifying voices of marginalized communities.