Will Stinson '26

Will Stinson, MBA ’26, is a senior consultant at Deloitte in Philadelphia, where he develops sustainability strategies for state, local and federal agencies. He is a co-founder of the nonprofit Peaks for Parkinson’s. While attending Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management, he served as a Board Fellow for TotalLink to Community.

Can you talk about where you grew up and where you went to college?

I grew up in Richmond, Virginia, which is a river city surrounded by nature. I developed a passion for the outdoors early on and was fortunate to find a degree that fit that interest at James Madison University: I studied integrated science and technology with a concentration in sustainable energy.

What did you do professionally before coming to Kellogg?

I spent six years as a consultant with Deloitte after college. I enjoy the problem-solving nature of consulting, particularly working on energy projects.

Why did you decide to get an MBA?

I’m passionate about sustainability, and renewable energy is where I know I want to make an impact. My undergraduate degree was heavily focused on engineering, math and science, and at Deloitte I worked on renewable energy projects. I understood the technology and how policy was created, but I didn’t understand why we were creating policies without implementing them. I realized I was missing a piece of the puzzle: understanding how finance and economics fit into making these projects happen.

I started with a certificate program through the Yale School of the Environment, which taught me a lot about energy project finance and sparked my interest in business school. That’s when I found out about Kellogg’s opportunities to focus on sustainability and environmental issues, along with its culture of low ego, high impact. The idea of attending a school where I could be my authentic self while making an impact really excited me.

Through the Golub Capital Board Fellows Program, you were matched with TotalLink to Community. What project did you do for the organization?

TotalLink supports adults with disabilities in Chicago’s northern suburbs and was assessing whether to expand outside of its communities or focus on how to serve its current constituents better. Under the leadership of its executive director and board chair, I helped create the organization’s three-year strategic plan.

In the past, TotalLink hired a nonprofit consultant to create a strategic plan, conduct stakeholder interviews and act as the project manager. As a Board  Fellow, I took on that role and helped lead the development of the organization’s new three-year plan.

What were the key recommendations in your three-year plan?

The plan called for a shift from supporting individuals to serving both individuals and their families. We came up with three pillars to help make that change possible. First, we needed to increase fundraising to secure the resources needed to serve individuals and their families. Second, we needed to expand services by hiring caseworkers who could offer guidance to individuals and families, allowing program staff to focus on their core responsibilities. Third, we needed to strengthen partnerships within the community that focus on long-term sustainability and system-level change.

I presented the plan to TotalLink’s board five days before graduation, and they were excited about the recommendations. Executive Director Emily Raming and Board President Mark Ehlert were instrumental to the project’s success. We held regular workshops with board members that helped shape the strategy using their own ideas and language.

How did your fellowship help you grow?

I’m someone who’s always looking to give back to the communities I’m in, but in a demanding career like consulting, that can be difficult. My fellowship gave me the opportunity to watch board members and nonprofit leaders dedicate extra time each week to making their community a better place. Seeing that commitment gave me something to strive for as I grow personally and professionally.

Can you talk about the nonprofit you co-founded?

We started Peaks for Parkinson’s in 2021 as a fundraiser through a 45-mile hike in 24 hours along the Appalachian Trail. I organized it with my childhood friend Pete Coiley, whose dad had recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Sam Selby, who also had a relative with Parkinson’s, joined us and became our third co-founder.

Our original goal was $10,000, and we ended up raising about $17,000. Seeing the community we were able to bring together and the impact we could make in the fight against Parkinson’s ignited something in us. The following year, we took on the Grand Canyon, hiking it rim to rim, and that effort snowballed into an annual fundraiser. In August 2026, I was part of a Peaks for Parkinson’s team who took on Hood to Coast, an annual 199-mile relay race from Mt. Hood to the coast of Oregon.

We officially became a nonprofit in October 2025, when the IRS granted 501(c)(3) status. We’re still small and don’t have staff yet, just the three co-founders. We meet monthly to talk about our strategy and future events. Recently, we reached our goal of raising $100,000 over five years. Now that we’re officially a nonprofit, we’re focused on building the structure needed for long-term growth.

How has your experience as a Board Fellow helped you in leading Peaks for Parkinson’s?

Without Board Fellows, I would not have had the know-how or confidence to establish Peaks for Parkinson’s as a nonprofit.   

I brought lessons from my work with TotalLink, such as strategic planning and organizational structure, back to our nonprofit. Seeing how TotalLink engages its community has influenced how I want to grow Peaks for Parkinson’s in the future.

What stands out most about your Board Fellows experience?

One of the most important parts about being a Board Fellow is the community of about 100 like-minded individuals who, during a time that’s often focused on personal growth, have decided to give back to their communities. Through the Board Fellows program, Kellogg and Professor Allison Henry have created such a beautiful community of people I’m thankful to know.