Meet Our Team
Cheryl Henshaw
President
Cheryl Henshaw is founder and President of grants consulting company, Learn Design Apply, Inc. She has spent the last eighteen years working with global technology leaders, developing and implementing grant support programs. Working with Non-Profit, For-Profit and State/Local organizations alike, Cheryl and her team of grant managers have assisted in the development of funding strategies, provided support throughout the spectrum of the grant application process and guided awardees through post-funding activities. Cheryl’s team specializes in Education, Healthcare, Broadband initiatives, and Judicial/Corrections, First Responder, and the breadth of state and local funding. This focused support has resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars in grant funding to date and has enabled organizations across the U.S. to realize their vision, enhancing and expanding their programs.
Dana Satterwhite
Vice President of Collaboration and Network
Dana Satterwhite has 14 years in the video conferencing and collaboration fields, specializing in finding funding for technology initiatives. Prior to working with the LDA Grants team, Dana worked with the Tandberg and Cisco Grants teams. She is passionate about helping her customers find the best possible funding opportunities available. In addition to her experience with grant funding, Dana has also spent time at Facebook’s marketing team—managing large-scale events for Facebook’s clients. Dana lives with her family in Seattle, WA where she attended the University of Washington and received her Bachelors of Arts in English.
Andrew Henshaw
Vice President of Emerging Programs
Prior to joining the Learn Design Apply team, Andrew (Andy) Henshaw worked in various roles in customer service, supply chain, credit services, program management, consulting and philanthropy. After writing his first distance learning and telemedicine grant in 2014, Andy became increasingly interested in bridging the gap between underserved communities and the funding sources available to them.
Upon graduation from University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business, Andy joined the LDA team as the Director of Business Development and Operations. At school, he majored in Marketing and Strategy, and focused on healthcare and public health initiatives. As part of the company, he intends to forge strategic partnerships between funding providers, private and public businesses, and underserved communities to maximize impact for all involved.
Zachary Christman
Chief of Staff - Operations
Zach joined the Learn Design Apply team in the summer of 2020. Over the last decade, he has written dozens of successful grant proposals and garnered over $14 million in Federal awards for public and non-profit institutions. Prior to joining the LDA team, he was the Grant Writer for Brazosport College where he managed all pre-award activities and served on numerous committees, including co-chair of the college’s CARES Act task force. He has researched and developed projects across education, telecommunications, law enforcement, social work, healthcare, and workforce development and training. Zach graduated from Texas State University with a B.A. in English and Theatre and earned a graduate certificate in Program Evaluation from the University of Connecticut.
Zach hails from Lake Jackson, Texas but now calls Raleigh, North Carolina home. He and his wife are the doting parents of two furry, four-legged children, their whippets Scholar and Oxford. When not in front of the computer, Zach can be found behind a good book, at a coffee shop with a fountain pen and journal, outdoors running, or in the kitchen testing out a new recipe.
Melissa Griggs
Zoom Alliance-Grant Strategist
Melissa joined the Learn Design Apply team in 2018. Her passion for people and effective communication lead her to careers in human resources, sales, and now to the team of LDA. Melissa resides in Mooresville, NC and is a lover of good wine, her husband, her 4 children, and Netflix — not necessarily in that order. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and is an avid Tarheel fan.
Victoria Fine
Regional Grants Manager, West Territory
Victoria joined the Learn Design Apply Grants team in 2020. Prior to LDA, Victoria worked in client and project management at a number of technology startups in the Los Angeles area. She is extremely passionate about ensuring that her clients reach their goals with maximum ease and efficiency. Outside of work, Victoria enjoys searching for her next good meal, watching reality television, and cheering for her favorite basketball team, the Dallas Mavericks. She holds a B.A. with Honors in Psychology from the University of Chicago.
Jessica Riddle
Regional Grants Manager, Central US
Jessica joined the Learn Design Apply team in 2021. She brings over 15 years of experience as a grant writer with her. In 2010 she established a grant consultancy business where she helped secure funding for organizations across a variety of sectors, including health care, education, public safety, and social work.
Jessica has a BA from University of Kansas and MSc from University of Edinburgh. She lives in Chicago with her husband and daughter, but her heart lives on the other side of the lake in Michigan where she goes hiking on the weekends. When not tackling ill-advised home renovations, Jessica also likes to travel and garden.
Shannon Schaeffer
Regional Grants Manager, East Territory
Shannon brings more than 20 years of grant management and writing experience to LDA. Through her work with health care organizations, educational institutions and nonprofits, Shannon has a thorough understanding of the intricacies of developing, writing and submitting complex federal grants, contracts and cooperative agreements.
Prior to joining the team, Shannon worked for over a decade as a grant services consultant and account manager, including the DC government relations firm, Strategic Health Care. For the past 21 years, Shannon has worked directly with hospitals and healthcare organizations to seek funding related to health professional development, health disparities, and rural health. From identifying needs and potential opportunities, to working directly with healthcare providers and writing successful grant applications, Shannon owns all aspects of the process.
Shannon’s success in both grants and contracts includes HEN/HIIN contracts from CMS Innovation Center, CMS Bundled Payment Model Two initiative, YOUTHBUILD, a multitude of HRSA opportunities and USDA DLT awards.
Macy Cate White
Regional Grants Manager, East Territory
Macy Cate joined the LDA team in 2022 after a decade of experience working as an elementary school teacher and professional development trainer. Macy Cate has a passion for helping educators see the benefit of using technology to engage students in the classroom, bringing tools and content to their schools that change the trajectory and interactivity of the students’ learning. Macy Cate has a Bachelors of Science in Interdisciplinary Teaching and Elementary Education and a Masters degree in Technology Integration. After graduation from Lipscomb University, Macy Cate moved from Nashville, TN back to sweet home Alabama. She currently lives in Montgomery, Alabama with her husband and two precious kiddos. She thoroughly enjoys lake days with her family, Mexican food, and any reason to go shopping!
Kimberly Newman
Grants Channel Manager, West Territory
Kimberly Newman has worked in logistical project management for over 15 years, specializing in VIP programs and C-suite initiatives. Prior to joining the LDA Grants team, Kimberly worked on sales and marketing focused event planning for tech giants including Facebook, LinkedIn, Intuit, Uber and Slack. Kimberly lives in the suburbs of Los Angeles where she enjoys hiking, beach days, and pool-side-living with her husband and two daughters. She holds a B.S. in Business Marketing from ASU's WP Carey School of Business and a minor in Art History.
Jennifer Walker
Grants Channel Manager, East Territory
Jennifer has an earned reputation for being customer-obsessed — caring is at the core of everything she does. Her passion for video conferencing and collaboration is evident and comes from a history of 13+ years of enabling Tandberg & Cisco customers to understand the benefits of technology. She offers highly developed organizational, communication, and customer experience skills with a flair for creativity and fun. Jennifer lives in Leesburg, Virginia with her husband, family of four teens, and nearly 300 pounds of dogs! She graduated from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and is an avid Tarheel fan, yep…her blood runs Carolina Blue!
Megan Beresford
Director of Broadband Programs
Megan joined the Learn Design Apply team in 2021. Previously, she worked as a meeting planner in Washington, D.C., working to assist state and federal officials address pressing issues, from emergency preparedness to healthcare inequities. She has spent time managing pubs, and prior to that worked as an English teacher. After finishing her first novel in 2020, Megan turned her passion for words to grant writing. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from Illinois College.
Megan has lived in San Francisco, Poland, and New Zealand, and currently calls Washington D.C. home. She is an avid reader and enjoys trying new whiskeys and exploring national parks.
Brooke McKallor
Grants Strategist - Broadband
Brooke joined the Learn Design Apply team in 2020. Before working with LDA, Brooke worked in client and project management at a startup in Encinitas, California. She brings joy and passion to every project she is involved in. Outside of work, Brooke is an avid surfer and lover of the ocean. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from Whitman College.
Katrina Tysinger
Grant Specialist - Broadband
Katrina joined the Learn Design Apply team in 2022. Previously, she worked at Alaska Native 501 (c) 3 non-profit organizations in grant writing, grant coordination, and empowering Indigenous and disadvantaged students towards career success. She is passionate about serving underserved communities.
Katrina is a proud Army spouse and Army mom. She holds a BSc in Healthcare Administration from Liberty University. Currently, she lives in Eagle River, Alaska where she enjoys biking, cooking, and hiking with her three dogs.
Sarah Burnham
Grant Specialist - Broadband
Sarah joined the Learn Design Apply team in 2022 as a Broadband Specialist. Her passion for research, writing, and community engagement led her to pursue a career in grant writing. Prior to her role with LDA, Sarah was a Program Coordinator for the Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council. She holds a B.S. in Environmental and Sustainability Studies, a minor in German, and an M.A. in Sustainable Communities from Northern Arizona University. Her academic background consists of Southwest water management, climate resilience, and community engagement. Outside of work, Sarah loves serving as a keys player at her church, playing with her two pups, and exploring local breweries. She currently resides in her beloved hometown of Gilbert, Arizona.
Lauren Sharps
Grant Specialist - Broadband
Lauren is a Grant Specialist for the Broadband team. Prior to joining Learn Design Apply in 2022, Lauren worked in education and client services at a global luxury brand. Joining LDA gives Lauren the chance to make a larger impact with an exceptional team.
Lauren calls San Francisco home, born and raised in the Bay Area. She loves spending time in the outdoors with Bex, her Golden Retriever.
As a proud graduate of Gonzaga University, she loves to follow Zag basketball and is equally passionate about her San Jose Sharks.
Megan Koontz
National Funding Strategist - Collaboration Technologies
Megan joined the Learn Design Apply team in 2021, after working as a Registered Nurse at a large acute care hospital. Megan has five years of experience in the healthcare industry working in a variety of specialties at multiple hospital organizations, including a major healthcare organization with rural hospitals and clinics. Her healthcare experience was preceded by a role as an account manager where she assisted clients with their marketing and strategy needs.
Megan graduated from Mercy College of Health Sciences in Des Moines, IA with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and from the University of Kansas with a degree in Political Science. In addition to working in healthcare, Megan spent time in New Mexico, Florida, Iowa and Washington, D.C. working in political operations, grassroots campaigning and fundraising.
Megan lives in Estero, FL with her husband and three children.
Sophia Laettner
National Funding Strategist - Advanced Manufacturing
Sophie Laettner is a National Funding Strategist with Learn Design Apply, Inc. She serves as Membership Chair for the Jacksonville Global Shaper's Hub, an initiative of the World Economic Forum, and she is also a member of the Jacksonville Beaches Rotaract Club.
Sophie has a B.A. from Duke University, with double majors in Public Policy and French studies, and a minor in English studies. She studied in Paris, France for two semesters and has proficient command of the French language. Her poetry has been published in multiple magazines, including Z Publishing House’s Florida's Best Emerging Poets 2019 : An Anthology and Duke University’s Archive Spring 2018. Sophie is the recipient of Duke University’s Terry Welby Tyler, Jr. Award for Poetry. She is also a scholarship recipient for the European Forum Alpbach (Austria).
Catherine Ruf
National Funding Strategist - Health, Education and Collaboration
Catherine joined the LDA team in 2021.
Prior to joining LDA, Catherine worked as a teacher and mentor in Chicago, IL and Richmond, TX. Catherine’s first hand experience in Title One Schools led to her passion in helping underserved programs receive proper funding. She brings an educator’s perspective and organizational skills to all of her clients to ensure goals are met.
She graduated from the University of Kansas with a B.A. in Communications and History and completed her Masters in Education from National Lewis University.
Catherine resides in Naples, FL with her two sons and husband. She enjoys building sand castles, chasing her boys on their bikes and watching the sunset every chance she gets.
Graham Bichell
Manager of School Safety Programs
Graham joined the LDA team in 2022 after serving as co-founder and vice president of operations at Oak Row Custom Trim, an architectural manufacturing business in Georgia. At Oak Row, he managed all aspects of daily operations and company strategy. Prior to Oak Row, Graham lived in Washington, D.C. doing freelance Arabic-English translation. He also worked in Alaska as a commercial fisherman. Graham holds a B.A. in Arab Studies from Davidson College. He conducted research in the Middle East and wrote a thesis entitled Positionality, Narrative, and the Jordanian Honor Crime. His experience prepares him to work with diverse stakeholders in pursuit of federal funding.