Innovative Change Consulting Group, LLC provides evidence-based, innovative, and solutions-focused professional management consulting services to organizations. We strive to build and elevate organizations to become sustainable within their communities.
Chelesa s. holden, lmsw
Founder, Chief Executive Officer & Principal Consultant
Innovative Change Consulting Group, LLC
Chelesa S. Holden, LMSW is a strategic leader, social justice advocate, higher education scholar, and organizational consultant committed to strengthening the capacity, sustainability, and impact of mission-driven institutions. She is the Founder and CEO of Innovative Change Consulting Group, LLC (ICCG), a consulting firm that partners with nonprofits, higher education institutions, academic associations, and community organizations to develop research-informed strategies that advance equity, operational excellence, and long-term organizational growth.
With nearly fifteen years of experience across the nonprofit, higher education, and social work sectors, Chelesa brings a powerful combination of strategic planning, research analysis, organizational development, training and facilitation, and grant writing expertise. Her work is grounded in an equity-centered, data-driven approach that helps organizations clarify their mission, strengthen internal infrastructure, improve program effectiveness, and demonstrate meaningful community impact.
Chelesa’s educational journey reflects her deep commitment to leadership and social change. She is currently pursuing her PhD in Higher Education Administration at Saint Louis University, where her research focuses on racial equity, institutional policy, and the experiences of Black faculty, staff, and student leaders within higher education. She holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) from Washington University in St.Louis with a concentration in social and economic development, and a strong foundation in macro-level practice, organizational leadership, and community engagement.
Throughout her career, Chelesa has served in numerous leadership roles; guiding nonprofits through restructuring, developing strategic initiatives, strengthening board governance, expanding funding portfolios, and designing systems that prioritize sustainability and accountability. As an experienced grant writer and impact reporting specialist, she has supported organizations in securing significant local and national funding for programs serving youth, families, and marginalized communities.
Beyond her consulting work, Chelesa is deeply engaged in the community. She serves as the Executive Director of The Oxygen Project: Yoga for Youth, a nonprofit providing trauma-informed wellness programming to K-12 students; she is an active leader in professional and academic associations; and she regularly contributes to community-based collaborations, advocacy efforts, and workforce development initiatives. Her passion for service, justice, and empowerment is reflected in every project she leads.
A trusted through partner and respected practitioner, Chelesa is driven by the belief that strong organizations create strong communities. Her vision for ICCG is to continue building equitable, sustainable, and transformative solutions that help institutions thrive and deepen their impact generations to come.
