Turning Bold Ideas Into Lasting Change

Blending strategic consulting with mission-driven stewardship to ensure bold ideas don’t just start — they thrive.

Guided by Purpose, Committed to Change

SHG Innovations curates initiatives that require sustained community investment, neutral governance, and nonprofit accountability. We serve as a home for initiatives that advance social impact but need dedicated management and nonprofit stewardship to successfully move beyond the aspirational.

I'm Summer Gathercole

Executive Director of SHG Innovations

Experience & Education

SHG Advisors, 2014 – Present
Colorado Department of Human Services/Behavioral Health Administration, Senior Advisor and Deputy Commissioner, 2019 – 2023
Share Our Strength, Colorado State Director, 2012 – 2014
Community Wealth Partners, Director, 2010 – 2012
SHS Consulting Services, Principal, 2008 – 2010
DC Department of Employment Services, Director, 2007 – 2008
Workforce Organizations for Regional Collaboration, Executive Director, 2001 – 2006
Goodwill of Greater Washington, VP of Training & Development, 2005-2006
Community Family Life Services, Employment Specialist, 1999 – 2001
Grant Thornton, Staff Accountant, 1997 – 1998
B.S. in Business Administration, Accounting, University of Richmon
Certified Public Accountant (CPA), State of Illinois 2001

Leadership

Summer Gathercole is the Executive Director of SHG Innovations and has been at the forefront of social policy reform since 1998. After leaving a successful private sector career, she dedicated herself to working directly with people who were unemployed, underemployed, and/or experiencing homelessness, helping them access training, education, and meaningful employment. She went on to found a workforce development nonprofit organization that built public-private partnerships linking businesses with job opportunities to service providers with work-ready candidates.

Her leadership experience includes serving as Executive Director of the D.C. Department of Employment Services under Mayor Adrian Fenty, as well as the State Director for Share Our Strength – a national nonprofit fighting childhood hunger. In 2014, Summer launched SHG Advisors, through which she has partnered with more than 40 organizations. In 2019, she was invited to lead Colorado Governor Jared Polis’ statewide behavioral health reform efforts, staying involved to serve as the inaugural Deputy Commissioner of the state’s Behavioral Health Administration (BHA).

Outside of her professional work, Summer is an avid traveler and can often be found hiking trails or embarking on global adventures.