Who We Are
Our work with nonprofit boards and private foundations over the years inspired a deep understanding that giving is powerful and has the potential to make the world a better place.
Tracy L. McFerrin
Founder & Principal
Tracy is a former senior officer of a family foundation with over $800 million in assets and annual giving of $35 million. She led the foundation’s grant portfolios for education and neighborhood revitalization, developing strategy and partnerships to increase impact. She has been a board leader for a number of nonprofit organizations, including serving as board chair and chair of board committees, in the areas of youth mentoring, education (higher ed. and secondary), public radio and television, health care and social justice. She has been an invited panelist, speaker and thought leader on various issues in philanthropy for over a decade. Prior to working in philanthropy, Tracy practiced law, representing corporate clients in employment law and general litigation. Tracy is a graduate of Howard University (B.S., summa cum laude, Psychology) and Harvard Law School. She resides in Toronto, Canada.
Maurice Alvin Watson
Founder & Principal
Maurice has more than thirty years of experience working in law, social and public policy and board governance as a lawyer, advisor and board member. He has been a partner and chairman of an AmLaw100 law firm with more than 700 attorneys, Husch Blackwell. During his career as a lawyer, he represented public and private schools, colleges and universities, education advocacy groups, and education associations at the state and national levels. He has served on numerous boards, including as board chair, of large, national nonprofit organizations and private foundations. The broad scope of his board service includes education and youth development, biomedical research, health care, higher education, arts and culture, public policy and government. He is a frequent speaker and panelist before groups across the country and has been recognized as one of the most influential lawyers in the country and among the most influential civic leaders in Kansas City. A graduate of Harvard College (A.B., cum laude, Social Studies) and Harvard Law School, Maurice is a Kansas City, Missouri native and currently resides there.
Tracy L. McFerrin
Founder & Principal
Tracy is a former senior officer of a family foundation with over $800 million in assets and annual giving of $35 million. She led the foundation’s grant portfolios for education and neighborhood revitalization, developing strategy and partnerships to increase impact. She has been a board leader for a number of nonprofit organizations, including serving as board chair and chair of board committees, in the areas of youth mentoring, education (higher ed. and secondary), public radio and television, health care and social justice. She has been an invited panelist, speaker and thought leader on various issues in philanthropy for over a decade. Prior to working in philanthropy, Tracy practiced law, representing corporate clients in employment law and general litigation. Tracy is a graduate of Howard University (B.S., summa cum laude, Psychology) and Harvard Law School. She resides in Toronto, Canada.
Maurice Alvin Watson
Founder & Principal
Maurice has more than thirty years of experience working in law, social and public policy and board governance as a lawyer, advisor and board member. He has been a partner and chairman of an AmLaw100 law firm with more than 700 attorneys, Husch Blackwell. During his career as a lawyer, he represented public and private schools, colleges and universities, education advocacy groups, and education associations at the state and national levels. He has served on numerous boards, including as board chair, of large, national nonprofit organizations and private foundations. The broad scope of his board service includes education and youth development, biomedical research, health care, higher education, arts and culture, public policy and government. He is a frequent speaker and panelist before groups across the country and has been recognized as one of the most influential lawyers in the country and among the most influential civic leaders in Kansas City. A graduate of Harvard College (A.B., cum laude, Social Studies) and Harvard Law School, Maurice is a Kansas City, Missouri native and currently resides there.