ABOUT VERDANT SYNERGIES
Two founders. One firm built on lived experience.
Verdant Synergies was founded by Dr. Saralyn Grass and Gabe Grass, Ed.S. – a husband-and-wife team who between them have led public agencies, built institutions, raised millions for nonprofit initiatives and navigated the kind of complexity most consultants only read about.
Experience. Strategy. Trust.
Cross-sector expertise
Real-world leadership
Jacksonville, FL-based
JAX Chamber Members
We don't offer generic advice. We've been in the room.
Saralyn has led a $50M+ public agency, drafted the administrative rules attorneys cite in litigation and testified as an expert witness in numerous child safety cases over the past three years. Gabe has led major gift programs at three universities, co-founded a community-focused craft brewery and spent his career turning relationships into results for mission-driven organizations.
Together we bring a rare combination: policy authority, institutional credibility, development expertise and entrepreneurial instinct – all in one firm.
$50M+
Public agency led by Dr. Grass supporting northeast Florida PreK-12 programming
40+
Years combined sector experience
20+
Number of cases for which Saralyn has served as an expert witness
$10M+
Funds raised through individual contributions, corporate sponsorships and grants
THE TEAM
Meet the Founders
Saralyn Grass, Ed.D.
President & Co-Founder · Expert Witness
Dr. Grass brings over two decades of executive leadership across government, nonprofit and academic sectors. As CEO of Kids Hope Alliance, she directed a $50M+ public agency overseeing youth development citywide. She has written the administrative rules governing early learning programs and led statewide policy initiatives for children and families. She is an active Guardian ad Litem, adjunct professor at the University of North Florida and a nationally recognized expert witness in PreK-12 school safety and child care standards of care.
Ed.D. – Florida State
Expert Witness
Guardian ad Litem
Leadership Jax ’24
Gabe Grass, Ed.S.
CEO & Co-Founder · Development & Strategy
Gabe is a fundraising and nonprofit development leader with a career spanning three institutions of higher education: University of North Florida, Flagler College and Florida State University. As Director of Corporate Relations & Major Gifts at UNF, he built transformative partnerships advancing student success and institutional impact. An entrepreneur at heart, he co-founded GrassLands Brewing Company in 2014, growing it into a recognized community brand. At Verdant Synergies, he leads relationship strategy, business development, grant writing and client engagement.
Ed.S. – Florida State
Entrepreneur
Development & Grants
Nonprofit Leadership
saralyn@verdantsynergies.com · 904.729.1399
gabe@verdantsynergies.com · 904.729.1399
WHY VERDANT SYNERGIES
What makes us different?
01
We've held the roles our clients are in
From CEO of a $50M+ public agency to director-level major gifts work, we’ve navigated the pressure, politics and complexity that come with real leadership – not just advised on it from the outside.
02
Policy depth meets relationship instinct
Saralyn’s policy and regulatory expertise pairs with Gabe’s track record building partnerships and raising funds. Most engagements benefit from both – and you get both when you work with us.
03
We're invested in your outcome
As founders who’ve built organizations from scratch, we approach every engagement the way we’d approach our own: with full attention, honest assessment and a focus on lasting results.
Let's talk about what you're navigating.
Whether you need expert witness services, strategic guidance or a fundraising and development partner, get in touch and let’s figure out if we’re the right fit.