Christopher Shrum, PhD, MPA
Principal, The Vibrancy Group
Dr. Christopher Shrum is a nationally recognized leader in community and economic development, with more than 30 years of experience serving Federally Recognized Tribes, municipal governments, nonprofit organizations, and private enterprises. As Principal of The Vibrancy Group, Dr. Shrum specializes in organization development, strategic planning, fund development, and program evaluation, with a deep commitment to advancing vibrant, resilient communities through culturally grounded and asset-based approaches.
Dr. Shrum’s expertise spans a wide range of sectors, including healthcare, arts and culture, housing development, value-added agriculture, and tourism. He has assisted over 200 organizations and communities across the United States, leveraging more than $250 million in philanthropic investment and public grants to drive transformative change. His work is distinguished by a focus on civic engagement, creative placemaking, and the intersection of culture, community, and commerce.
A professor at Pratt Institute, Dr. Shrum coordinates the graduate program in Creative Enterprise Leadership for Arts and Cultural Management. His academic and consulting careers are united by a dedication to fostering economic sovereignty for Tribal communities, supporting organizational turnarounds, and designing innovative workforce development and business incubation programs—particularly in artisan manufacturing and creative industries.
Dr. Shrum holds a PhD in Human and Organizational Development from Fielding Graduate University, where his research explored civic entrepreneurship, cultural capital, and the experience economy as drivers of community transformation. He also earned a Master of Public Administration from New York University and a Bachelor’s degree in Arts Administration from Northern Arizona University.
Dr. Shrum’s accomplishments have been recognized nationally, including receiving the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Tourism for his role in establishing the American Folk Festival in Bangor, Maine. He continues to support Tribal nations and diverse communities in building capacity, revitalizing culture, and achieving sustainable economic futures.
David Steven Rappoport, MA
Senior Consultant, The Vibrancy Group
David Steven Rappoport is a seasoned nonprofit and public sector professional with more than 35 years of experience in fund development, grant writing, and strategic consulting. Over the course of his career, David has been responsible for securing, managing, and leveraging more than $200 million in funding for a diverse range of clients—including Tribes, municipal governments, nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions.
David’s expertise encompasses opportunity research, the development of complex and high-value proposals to public and private funders, and targeted projects with smaller nonprofits and mission-driven organizations. He has a proven track record in supporting initiatives related to education, healthcare, economic development, and social services. His work often includes facilitation, training, research, planning, and analysis to help organizations build capacity and achieve their goals.
David is known for his collaborative approach, working closely with clients and partners to prepare comprehensive reports, design training modules, and deliver actionable solutions. His recent projects include supporting a Mid-Atlantic county’s COVID-19 relief funding strategy and developing grant training modules for a major community college system.
David brings deep analytical skills, a commitment to community impact, and a passion for helping organizations navigate the complexities of fund development and program planning. As a Senior Consultant with The Vibrancy Group, he continues to empower clients to realize their missions and maximize their impact.
Christopher Twombley, M.A., C.J.E
Senior Consultant, The Vibrancy Group
Chris Twombley, M.A., C.J.E., is a 30-year veteran public school teacher in Washington and California states. An award-winning Language Arts and Journalism instructor, he specializes in curriculum development, writing pedagogy, effective assessment strategies, and student-based learning strategies. During his teaching career, Twombley served as mentor for student teachers and led several trainings and demonstration lessons at both the state and national levels.
Before his teaching career, Twombley served as senior grant writer for Medicine Creek Tribal College, working to support the college’s recruitment and retention efforts, as well as to develop a diverse curriculum to meet the professional needs of the Puyallup Tribe and its members.
Twombley has extensive experience in educational software curriculum development, serving as Editorial Content Director for EdVantage Software and as a freelance content creator for Riverdeep, The Learning Company, and Edmark. Some of his project titles include “Writing Trek,” “Reader Rabbit,” “Where in the World is Carmen San Diego?,”“Get Real about Violence,” and “Get Real about Tobacco.”
Sage Callen, MPS
Consultant, The Vibrancy Group
Sage Callen is a culture-focused project coordinator with a strong background in organizational development, research, and strategic planning. With a Master’s degree in Arts and Cultural Management from Pratt Institute and a Bachelor’s in Psychology and Non-fiction Writing from Eugene Lang College, Sage brings a nuanced and empathetic approach to program development, stakeholder engagement, and capacity building in underserved communities. Sage has led initiatives in cultural preservation, tourism strategy, and nonprofit evaluation. She co-authored a national IMLS report on Indigenous libraries and museums and has helped secure funding for various community-led projects.