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Our Team

Peter Bailey

Top Ten Things to Know About Peter:

  1. I have a powerful passion for practicing possibility-thinking!
  2. I love sailing, surfing, rock-climbing, writing, stone-sculpting, and learning languages (currently learning Indonesian, Japanese, Hindi, and Mandarin).
  3. Through our Organization Development practice area, I specialize in engaging business leaders and teams in transformational experiences which enhance their skills, systems, and processes for working better together.
  4. I am a multi-faceted experiential designer and facilitator who has delivered 25 years of education-based adventure and innovative training to executives and management teams in the fields of high-technology, telecom, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, and customer service.
  5. I am fascinated by cross-cultural communication, and have been fortunate to have traveled and worked in over 40 countries in Asia, Africa, and Europe.
  6. I joined the Prouty Project team in May of 2008. Prior to joining, I served for nine years as a Global Performance Consultant with Wilson Learning Worldwide, where I was a writer, designer, and lead facilitator for programs focusing on global effectiveness, customer service, principled negotiation, virtual teams, and executive coaching.
  7. My professional/community involvement includes: Board of Trustees, Outward Bound National Professional Group; Board of Advisors, Minnesota Outward Bound; Volunteer Resource, National Youth Leadership Council; Member, Association of Experiential Education (AEE); Member, American Society of Training and Development (ASTD); Member, Japan-America Society of Minnesota (JASM); and Member, Minnesota Indonesia Society (MIS).
  8. Education: St. Lawrence University, B.A. Government, Anthropology, and Creative Writing; Cornell University Graduate Program, Full-Year Asian Language Concentration on Indonesian; and Mankato State University, Master of Science (M.S.) in Experiential Education.
  9. Certifications: MBTI qualified; master leader for Wilson Learning Worldwide; certified leader: interplay dance; and United States Sailing Association: basic keelboat, basic cruising, bareboat cruising certified.
  10. My favorite quote: “Something wonderful is about to happen!”
Grayce Belvedere Young

Top Ten Things to Know About Grayce:

  1. My husband, Dan Young, and I live in Edina with our 70-pound yellow lab, named Sassie (and she is!).
  2. I love traveling the world, learning about other cultures, working out daily, reading, and spending time at our cabin in northern Wisconsin.
  3. I lead our Organization Development practice area, specializing in leadership development; strategic planning; talent management and succession planning; change management; performance management processes; and culture revitalization.
  4. I joined the Prouty Project team as a partner in 2007. I have 20 years organization development experience in the health care, legal and regulatory, technology, and manufacturing industries. Prior to joining the Prouty Project, I spent four years at UnitedHealth Group, and five and half years at Thomson Reuters in a variety of organization development, strategy, business development, and sales channel management roles.
  5. My commitment to non-profit capacity building includes serving on boards and committees, as well as providing strategic consulting to improve board effectiveness, governance, and strategic planning results.
  6. My professional/community involvement includes: Board of Trustees, past Chair, the Women's Foundation of Minnesota; Governance Committee past Chair, the Women's Foundation of Minnesota; GirlsBEST past Chair, the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota; Board of Directors, Chair, M.A.P. for Nonprofits; Board of Directors, Cultural Jambalaya; Past President, 2000 ASTD-TCC chapter.
  7. Education: University of St. Thomas, M.B.A., concentration in Marketing; DePaul University, M.A. English Literature; and University of Minnesota, B.A. English Literature.
  8. Certifications: Six Sigma Green Belt certified; Situational Leadership certified; MBTI qualified; and Career Power Certified.
  9. One of my favorite quotes: “Organizations learn only through individuals who learn.” ~ Peter M. Senge. The Fifth Discipline
  10. Another one of my favorite quotes: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” ~ Margaret Mead

Top 10 Things To Know About Christina:

  1. I graduated from the University of Saint Thomas in May 2011 and am currently living in Maple Grove with my parents, Sue and Sean, and my brother, John.
  2. In my spare time, I like to go to movies, go out with friends, and explore new music.
  3. I joined the Prouty Project in April 2011.
  4. As an office assistant at the Prouty Project, my duties include managing daily office tasks, special projects, and assisting the client services associates.
  5. I studied abroad January 2010 in Australia with a class from Saint Thomas. We visited Sydney (my favorite city), Canberra, Melbourne, and Cairns.
  6. While in Australia, I petted a kangaroo and koala, went white water rafting, and got way too sunburned on the beaches.
  7. My family goes over the top for Christmas, having over 40,000 lights illuminating the outside of our house.
  8. I also work for Caribou Coffee and am completely addicted to my lattes and mochas.
  9. Education: University of Saint Thomas, BA Social Sciences-Sociology.
  10. My favorite quote:  “You are braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” ~ Christopher Robin to Winnie the Pooh

Top 10 Things To Know About Teresa:

  1. I live in the Uptown area of Minneapolis, where I take full advantage of the area trails, green spaces and smattering of lakes.
  2. I enjoy spending time with family, friends, wonder dog Luna and Teacup (rascal cat).
  3. One of my favorite pastimes is absorbing the talent, art and surroundings of the Twin Cities’ many museums, galleries and performing arts venues.
  4. I relocated back to the Midwest after spending several years in the high desert of Santa Fe, New Mexico, where I acquired an affinity for cowboy boots, belt buckles, red and green chili and the fabulous artists of the Southwest.
  5. I have served as a volunteer and board member for a variety of organizations and nonprofit groups since I was a teen; giving back to my community and to those in need is a practice and passion instilled in me by my parents and a couple of phenomenal teachers.
  6. As a Client Services Associate, I provide consulting support and client relationship management for Chairman and Founder Jeff Prouty and Senior Vice President, Peter Bailey.
  7. I received my undergraduate degree from Iowa State University, and am pursuing a Masters in Arts and Cultural Management at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.
  8. In addition to owning a winebar and photography studio, I’ve enjoyed careers in fine art galleries and marketing; working with and for creative people is inspiring, energizing and keeps me stretching.
  9. I can spot stray cars in lots of infinity, mislaid friends in the masses and can leap small buildings in a single bound.
  10. A favorite quote is from Goethe – “Whatever you would do, begin it. Boldness has courage, genius and magic in it.”
Mike Felmlee

Top Ten Things to Know About Mike:

  1. My wife, Jane, and I live in Chanhassen with our children Lauren, Jeffrey, and Charlie, and our 85 pound golden retriever, Dexter.
  2. I absolutely love my daily dose of Life Time Fitness "Boot Camp", golfing, and boating with family and friends.
  3. I work with management teams, boards of directors, and staff groups to facilitate strategic planning, team, leadership development, and executive retreats.
  4. I joined the Prouty Project team as a partner in 2000 and was named CEO in 2005. I have 28 years of financial and operational management experience in the health care, manufacturing, and public accounting industries. Prior to joining the Prouty Project, I spent 12 years as a senior financial leader at Mayo Clinic Rochester where I was actively involved in the strategic planning and team development activities of a 900 plus person finance department. Prior to that, I was a Controller for a $100 M manufacturing company that supplied parts to the automotive industry.
  5. I started my career at the public accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers, serving in its Minneapolis and New York City offices.
  6. My professional/community involvement includes: Board of Directors, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities; Board of Directors, HIRED; Board of Director, Holy Family Catholic High School; Business Advisory Board, College of Business of Winona State University; and member, Legatus.
  7. Education: Graduated with honors, Winona State University, B.S. Accounting (1979).
  8. Recent conferences include: World Business Forum, New York City, NY; Balanced Scorecard (Michigan State University and The Eli Broad Graduate School of Management); Performance Management Workshop and Accelerating Change Through Human Performance (Aubrey Daniels); Continuous Improvement Facilitator Training (Juran); Seven Habits of Highly Effective People (Covey); Empowerment for High Performing Organizations and Responsibility Based Teaming (Galindo); The Highlands Ability Battery Workshop; and Mentoring at Mayo, a Mayo Leadership Development Program.
  9. My favorite quotes: "I judge people's character not by the adversity they face but how they react to it." Anonymous
  10. "Definition of a Mission Statement: Long awkward sentence demonstrating management's inability to think clearly."  ~ Dilbert

Top Ten Things to Know About Melissa:

  1. My husband, Bayard, and I live in Eden Prairie, a southwest Minneapolis suburb. We have a newborn son, Parker.
  2. You’ll find me traveling to new places, spending time with friends and family, and running half marathons. 
  3. I ensure the office is running like a “Swiss watch” by managing what we call “Mission Control” (the internal operations for the firm and our client and office services coordinators).  
  4. I manage the firm’s finances along with our controller, Jeff Knack and support all human resource functions for the firm.
  5. I also manage our marketing efforts to include editor of our quarterly newsletter, coordinator of our monthly Jammin' Sessions, and maintain our website.  This year I am assisting Grayce with the firm's 2012 Stretch Expedition - Going Green in the Galapagos.  Consider joining us! 
  6. I began working with the Prouty Project in 2004 after spending several years working for the CEO and CFO of a publicly traded company.
  7. Education: B.S. Degree in Business Administration from Northwestern College.
  8. My community involvement includes: Host family, Eden Prairie A Brighter Day Foundation.
  9. How I stretch myself: I ran the Twin Cities Marathon, after being inspired by our 2005 Stretch Expedition, running the Paris Marathon.
  10. My favorite quote: “Don’t limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, remember, you can achieve.” ~ Mary Kay Ash
Jeff Knack

Top Ten Things to Know About Jeff:

  1. My wife, Monica, and I live in Brooklyn Park with our four children, two dogs, two cats, hamster, and horse.
  2. I enjoy classic cars, NASCAR, and watching the Minnesota Twins, the Vikings, the Wild, and the Gophers.
  3. In my spare time, I like to visit the Minnesota State Parks, take road trips, and go hiking and biking.
  4. I coached girls’ softball (ages 12-15) for six years. We won the championship in my third year.
  5. As the Prouty Project's Controller, I am responsible for all financial functions of the firm including: accounts payable, accounts receivable, invoicing, and budgeting. I work closely with Melissa, the Manager of Client and Office Services, in an effort to successfully carry out these duties.
  6. I joined the Prouty Project team in September of 2005.
  7. Prior to joining, I spent four years building my business, Knack's Accounting Service, Inc. that continues to run strong today.
  8. Having served as a Controller, a General Manager, and an Accounting Supervisor for various organizations in the Twin Cities, I have found my niche in helping small companies reach high levels of financial organization.
  9. Education: University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management B.S. Business.
  10. My favorite quote: “I cannot change yesterday. I can only make the most of today, and look with hope toward tomorrow.” ~ Anonymous
Jeff Prouty

Top Ten Things to Know About Jeff:

  1. My wife, Mary, and I live in Eden Prairie, a southwest Minneapolis suburb. We have two beautiful daughters, Paige and Shea, both adopted from China.
  2. I founded the business in 1987, after spending seven great years with Coopers & Lybrand (now PricewaterhouseCoopers) in Minneapolis and New York City.
  3. I love working with senior management teams and boards of directors on strategic planning and team issues.
  4. I love to climb big mountains (see STRETCH EXPEDITIONS on our website), workout at the Life Time Fitness "Boot Camp," scour magazines, and entertain on Think Tank II (see Think Tank II on our website).
  5. I am excited about: The creation of our Stretch Foundation (2005); sharing stories with you from my "radical sabbatical" (much of it in China, 2006); and participating in 2006-2011 Dancing Dads 'n Daughters competition with Paige and Shea.
  6. My professional/community involvement includes: Board of Advisors, Decision Pulse, LLC; Board of Advisors, Deviate Consulting Firm; Board of Inspiration, Finnegan's Inc.; Chairman of Sigma Phi Epsilon Iowa State University Capital Campaign; Board of Directors, JMS Companies; member, Families with Children from China; member, Association for Strategic Planning (and host of monthly Jammin' Sessions since 1997); Junior League of Minneapolis Community Volunteer of the Year (1996); and Teacher, Maasai Girls School, Monduli, Tanzania (1997).
  7. Previous Boards include: Board of Directors, Sigma Phi Epsilon National Fraternity; Board of Directors, Crisis Connection; Board of Directors, ASTD Minnesota; Board of Advisors, Junior League of Minneapolis; Board of Advisors, B.E.S.T. United Way; Board of Advisors, Stirtz Bernards; and Board of Advisors, RW Trend Inc.
  8. Education: Graduated with honors, Iowa State University, B.S. in Business Administration (1979).
  9. Recent conferences include: The Strategic Coach, Toronto, Ontario; Fitness Ridge, St. George, UT; Human Performance Institute/The Corporate Athlete, Orlando, FL; Innovative Thinking Conference, Capetown, South Africa; Strategic Leadership Forum, New York, NY.
  10. One of my favorite quotes: “Every day, our clients turn to us for deep inspiration. Their most frequent request is that they want us to proactively bring them new ideas. This must be core to our mission.” ~ Marshall Lux

Top Ten Things to Know About Jayna:

  1. I live in an apartment in Minnetonka with one of my college roommates.
  2. I enjoy spending time with my family, friends, and Labradoodle, Dublin.
  3. In April of 2010 I became and aunt and godmother to my beautiful niece, Meara.
  4. I also enjoy attending University of Minnesota sporting events, spending time with my "little sister" Brianna from the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization, and working out.
  5. My older brother named me after a cartoon character! (“Jayna” is one of the Super Twins on the cartoon, Superfriends!)
  6. I went on the 2009 Stretch Expedition to South Africa and it was a trip of a lifetime! I participated in the Cape Argus Cycle tour and survived wind gusts of up to 40 miles per hour! I hope to go on a service Stretch Expedition next.
  7. As one the firm's client services associates, I provide consulting support and client relationship management for Grayce Belvedere Young and her efforts in the Organization Development Practice Area and Mike Felmlee and his efforts in the Strategic Planning and Board Development Practice Areas.
  8. I graduated in May of 2007, and joined the Prouty Project team in February 2008 following an internship with the 3M Golf Championship in Blaine, MN, where I served as the Pro-Am Coordinator.
  9. Education: University of Minnesota, B.A. Public Relations and Business Management.
  10. My favorite quote: “Nothing is worth more than this day.” ~ Goethe

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Wisdom of Teams

Wisdom of Teams
by Jon Katzenbach

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WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

“In engaging with the Prouty Project you find partners who care about your business as much as you do."

Jesper Groenvold CEO | Paragon Strategic Solutions a subsidiary of Aon Benfield