Ellen Spangler
Founder | Principal Consultant
From the day Ellen cut up her mother’s typewritten dissertation at age four, she has always been a curious person.
Ellen’s Story
Curiosity has been the constant driver of Ellen’s 20+year nonprofit career, whether she has worked among 4 or 400 employees. Ellen’s nonprofit journey began in museums, where she spearheaded and evaluated arts education programs aimed at inspiring creativity for preschoolers through retirees. With many of those programs funded through grants, Ellen became curious about the storytelling aspects of the grants process. She eventually left the museum world and expanded her career through development and communications roles at education-focused nonprofits. When Ellen found herself reveling in the overlap of her program management experience and skills as a writer, there was no turning back.
In 2021, Ellen founded Whole Story Solutions with the premise that every organization has stories to tell. She believes it is a privilege to identify those “page-turner” stories that connect individuals, organizations, and resources to enrich our diverse community. Under Ellen’s leadership, Whole Story Solutions has raised over $11 million in corporate, foundation, and state funding for nonprofits nationwide on a broad range of issues, including hunger, child care, youth development, and the arts. Ellen’s strong background in evaluation and stakeholder engagement is deeply valued by Whole Story clients looking for support in organizational development, while her lifelong love of creativity and the arts has given her the eye for designing more polished pieces such as infographics, slide decks, and annual reports.
Born and raised in Charlottesville, VA, Ellen is the happiest when she is dabbling in new things. She holds an MA in Museum Education from the George Washington University and a BA in Art History and Italian from the University of Virginia. Ellen lives at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Crozet, VA with her husband, two children, and rescue dog. She is also a songwriter, artist, and crafter, and she seeks to spark curiosity and wonder in whatever she gets her hands into. Ellen is deeply grounded in her local community—volunteering at her children’s schools, supporting those around her, and serving as Treasurer of Arts in Western Education, a nonprofit that raises funds for arts programs in six local public schools.
Melissa Schultz
Project Associate
Melissa has always believed in the power of a good story—from her work as a copywriter to librarian, storytelling is the heartbeat of her work.
Melissa’s Story
Melissa began her early career copywriting and editing marketing materials in nonprofit settings. As a staff writer and copyeditor at a university and humanitarian aid nonprofit, Melissa learned to shift her writing and research knowledge from the academic realm to the mainstream with tangible outcomes. Melissa’s writing helped contribute to increased open rates and click-through rates on promotional emails, program and event attendance, and fundraising contributions. She views her ability to research, evaluate, and consolidate large amounts of information into concise and impactful copy as one of her strengths.
Eventually, Melissa would pivot to pursue her master’s degree and work as a Youth Services Librarian, where she would focus on early literacy programming to help young children get ready to read. As a librarian, Melissa strengthened her research skills and developed an understanding of the unique challenges parents face in supporting their children while balancing work responsibilities and more.
In 2024, Melissa began working with Whole Story Solutions as an independent contractor, and in 2025 she officially joined the Whole Story team as a Project Associate. Melissa’s role includes research and writing, drafting content, and administrative support.
Melissa holds a BA in English from Liberty University, and a Master of Library and Information Studies from the University of Alabama. When she is not busy helping share client stories, you may find her reading a good mystery book, speeding through a puzzle, or dabbling in modern quilting. Melissa currently lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, with her husband, two children, and way too many houseplants.
Jenny Decker
Affiliate Graphic Designer
Jenny has a knack for turning complex ideas into clear, compelling visuals—and making the process feel easy along the way.
Jenny’s Story
Jenny Decker is the owner and creative director of JND Creative, an independent design studio focused on helping organizations connect with their audiences through thoughtful, strategic visual communication. With more than 20 years of experience across design, marketing, and project management, Jenny brings both a big-picture perspective and an eye for detail—translating ideas into visuals that are clear, cohesive, and effective.
Her work spans branding and identity, marketing collateral, digital campaigns, and content development for a wide range of clients, including nonprofits, associations, small businesses, and mission-driven organizations. She approaches each project with a focus on alignment—ensuring that design not only looks good, but supports the goals and story behind the work.
Jenny’s career has also been shaped by a strong commitment to community. As a co-founder of GrantEd Foundation, she helped raise and distribute funding to support public school teachers in Washington, D.C., with a particular focus on Title 1 Schools. This experience continues to inform her thoughtful, purpose-driven approach to design. She currently serves as Vice President of Arts in Western Education, a local nonprofit that raises funds to support arts teachers in the community.
As an Affiliate Graphic Designer with Whole Story Solutions, Jenny partners on select projects to bring design expertise that complements WSS’s focus on strategy and storytelling—helping clients communicate their work with clarity, cohesion, and impact.