Our Clients
Partners In Progress
“Resilience is not what you have, it is what you do!” and we incorporate this matra into all our client projects, engagements, and deliverables to support a resilient mindset for years to come.
For over two years we provided comprehensive economic recovery services in the Caribbean through a contract with the US Economic Development Administration following Hurricanes Irma and Maria including industry diversification, cross-sector engagement, stakeholder engagement, business outreach and support, access to capital, renewable energy, plan alignment, workforce development, federal funding, philanthropic funding, business continuity, blue economy, and much much more.
We have several clients that we signed NDA’s for regarding funding strategies. We aren’t grantwriters (but we can connect you to some awesome grantwriters!) but we help prioritize projects for funding, identify funding resources, manage the application process, and provide guidance for compliance with funding opportunities to maximize competitive advantage.
We are updating the Southeastern Connecticut Enterprise Region Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) update through a resilience lens and providing recommendations for and engaging and inclusive CEDS deliverable above and beyond a document.
We are working with the UVI Research Tech Park in the US Virgin Islands on several initiatives. Tech Village is one major initiative that will diversify the St. Croix economy and upskill workforce for a resilient and equitable future.
We incorporate the Sagax Resilience Mindset for all our client engagements. Here are some of our focus areas within our service offerings. Please reach out to us for one pagers on these focus areas and view our Services Page.
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Persons with Disabilities
- Strategic Planning
- Ocean/Blue/Green Economies
- Entrepreneurship & Innovation
- Funding Strategies, Grants & Prioritization
- Governance & Leadership
- Real Estate Development
- Stakeholder & Community Engagement & Facilitation
- Workforce Development
- Access to Capital
Meet Our Clients and Collaborators
Working As Partners In Progress
At Sagax Associates, we view our clients as partners, particularly in the planning process. More often than not, for our multi-year contract work, we begin by building strong stakeholder alliances not only for Sagax, but for our clients so our work is sustainable beyond our engagement. Our clients are located throughout the US and Caribbean and we are a subcontractor for larger companies on some great projects as well.
Support from Key Stakeholders
When we started the non-profit OpenBracket, we raised half a million dollars in two years from these companies that were key stakeholders in carrying out the mission of the organization.
Kirsten demonstrates perseverance and grit in all aspects of her work. She raised over half a million dollars in less than two years garnering financial and political support for Open Bracket to host two coding competitions with over 15,000 participants from around the world. She demonstrated success with collaboration and engagement by ensuring our sponsors and stakeholders were supported and had their needs addressed- even when inevitable conflicts arose.
Kirsten’s extensive experience in economic development makes her a great fit for this job. But her recent appointments to successful disaster recovery task forces demonstrate her ability to react quickly and work efficiently both during and after a crisis. The leadership skills she developed through these positions will be invaluable in her new role here at DEDO as we look to build upon the recent economic successes of the Markell administration.
OpenBracket, a computer coding program that’s seen tremendous success with its annual conference, is just one of many projects Kirsten McGregor works on as principal of Sagax Associates. She also focuses on economic development in all sorts of industries, building community engagement, developing policies, managing external relations and sometimes fundraising for her list of clients.
Kirsten worked with our Brainstorm team while she was employed by the Economic Development Administration (EDA) at the Philadelphia Regional Office. I have been very impressed with her work ethic, intelligence, and knowledge. She has the ability to work with others cooperatively and find ways to improve processes. She shows initiative and enthusiasm. I recommend her.
Kirsten is a very friendly and knowledgeable person. Working with her on an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grant from the US Dept. of Commerce has been great! And let me tell you, ARRA hasn’t been an easy task! But…when you have someone like Kirsten to help you along the way, it becomes simple. She always makes your call or email a priority and helps you put it all together….I would highly recommend her!
I’ve had the good fortune to work with Kirsten on a couple of projects while she was a planner at Chance Management Advisors, AND to have had her as a graduate student at Penn. She’s smart and attentive to details without losing the forest for the trees, and she’s a good team player.
I’ve been impressed with Kirsten’s investigative tenacity, facility in working independently, and the clarity of her writing. In addition, she is an excellent team member.
Kirsten took over as manager of the northeast region revolving loan fund recipients with EDA. She had the daunting task of becoming an expert in the RLF program and regulations while at the same time responding to questions and concerns from the RLF recipients. She responded quickly and professionally.
I have found Kirsten to be extremely helpful in answering my questions and providing me with information and directions for my federal reporting. She is a proactive person, quick to respond and is very professional and courteous.
I have had the benefit of working with Kirsten related to Economic Development expansion. I have found her to be very responsive and professional. I give Kirsten two-thumbs up!
I worked extensively with Kirsten on the Master Plan Update for the University of Connecticut, a complex and involved planning effort that articulated well over $ 1 billion in capital improvements. Through her firm, Kirsten assisted the master planning team with invaluable strategic guidance on transportation systems for the campus. She is talented, dedicated, articulate and a tremendous team player and lead. I enjoyed working with her and am excited for her career trajectory.
Kirsten is a bright, energetic and driven individual. As a student and as a professional, Kirsten has demonstrated analytical acumen and creativity. She is hard working and proactive. She is an independent thinker and committed to her convictions, but also always remains open to new ideas and collaborative in her work style.
Kirsten served Rhode Island as the representative from the federal Economic Development Administration (EDA). We worked together on the vetting of public works project proposals for possible EDA funding. I found her to be a very conscientious and customer service oriented person. I also found her to be smart and personable.
With her skills as a planner, Kirsten possessed a keen sense for getting to the heart of a client’s access management and planning challenges, while her interpersonal skills invariably could be counted on to establish an outstanding rapport with clients and partnering firms’ team members. The combination of these qualities always resulted in well-received reports that were highly logical, and offered realistic, achievable and affordable solutions.
Kirsten is an outstanding expert with a very rich professional experience! I was amazed by her knowledge, passion and high quality execution level. Kirsten works very efficiently and delivers even before time. She pays attention to details and every single important fact and it’s a pleasure working with her. I highly recommend Kirsten as an expert for economic recovery which we will all need after this global isolation. Every single Government should reach out to this remarkable woman!
Kirsten and I attended UPENN’s City Planning program and collaborated in numerous academic projects. She always demonstrated an incredible commitment to improve existing communities through planning solutions. Her understanding of tax and real estate issues always brought innovative and economically sound alternatives to solve complex planning issues. She is proactive, always maintains a balanced perspective, and is a great teammate.
Kirsten served Rhode Island as the representative from the federal Economic Development Administration (EDA). We worked together on the vetting of public works project proposals for possible EDA funding. I found her to be a very conscientious and customer service oriented person. I also found her to be smart and personable.
Kirsten is a detailed oriented professional who goes the extra mile to produce exceptional results.
Kirsten assisted in a Comprehensive Plan for a small Town in which her guidence brought in many stake holders in the project and included a package for all the residence in the community to review and make suggestions.
Kirsten is very professional and extremely knowledgeable in her field of expertise. A fantastic individual to work with and I highly recommend Kirsten as a Business Partner.
Kirsten demonstrates perseverance and grit in all aspects of her work. She raised over half a million dollars in less than two years garnering financial and political support for Open Bracket to host two coding competitions with over 15,000 participants from around the world. She demonstrated success with collaboration and engagement by ensuring our sponsors and stakeholders were supported and had their needs addressed- even when inevitable conflicts arose.
Ben duPontOpenBracket Board Chair, Managing Director Chartline Capital
Kirsten’s extensive experience in economic development makes her a great fit for this job. But her recent appointments to successful disaster recovery task forces demonstrate her ability to react quickly and work efficiently both during and after a crisis. The leadership skills she developed through these positions will be invaluable in her new role here at DEDO as we look to build upon the recent economic successes of the Markell administration.
Bernice WhaleyDirector & Cabinet Secretary, Delaware Economic Development Office
OpenBracket, a computer coding program that’s seen tremendous success with its annual conference, is just one of many projects Kirsten McGregor works on as principal of Sagax Associates. She also focuses on economic development in all sorts of industries, building community engagement, developing policies, managing external relations and sometimes fundraising for her list of clients.
Delaware Today Magazine2018 Leading Woman In Business
Kirsten worked with our Brainstorm team while she was employed by the Economic Development Administration (EDA) at the Philadelphia Regional Office. I have been very impressed with her work ethic, intelligence, and knowledge. She has the ability to work with others cooperatively and find ways to improve processes. She shows initiative and enthusiasm. I recommend her.
Donnis CrumpUS Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration, Retried
Kirsten is a very friendly and knowledgeable person. Working with her on an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grant from the US Dept. of Commerce has been great! And let me tell you, ARRA hasn’t been an easy task! But…when you have someone like Kirsten to help you along the way, it becomes simple. She always makes your call or email a priority and helps you put it all together….I would highly recommend her!
Twila KendallContract Coordinator, Fay-Penn Economic Development Council
I’ve had the good fortune to work with Kirsten on a couple of projects while she was a planner at Chance Management Advisors, AND to have had her as a graduate student at Penn. She’s smart and attentive to details without losing the forest for the trees, and she’s a good team player.
Stephen MullinPresident, Econsult Solutions
I’ve been impressed with Kirsten’s investigative tenacity, facility in working independently, and the clarity of her writing. In addition, she is an excellent team member.
Bill GoodUS Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration, Retired
Kirsten took over as manager of the northeast region revolving loan fund recipients with EDA. She had the daunting task of becoming an expert in the RLF program and regulations while at the same time responding to questions and concerns from the RLF recipients. She responded quickly and professionally.
Anne PierceGrants Manager, Mass Development
I have found Kirsten to be extremely helpful in answering my questions and providing me with information and directions for my federal reporting. She is a proactive person, quick to respond and is very professional and courteous.
Scott HicksExecutive Director, Belomar Regional Council
I have had the benefit of working with Kirsten related to Economic Development expansion. I have found her to be very responsive and professional. I give Kirsten two-thumbs up!
Teresa RobertsDirector of Finance & Operations, N. Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce
I worked extensively with Kirsten on the Master Plan Update for the University of Connecticut, a complex and involved planning effort that articulated well over $ 1 billion in capital improvements. Through her firm, Kirsten assisted the master planning team with invaluable strategic guidance on transportation systems for the campus. She is talented, dedicated, articulate and a tremendous team player and lead. I enjoyed working with her and am excited for her career trajectory.
R. UmashankarPrincipal Planner, Capital Asset Strategies
Kirsten is a bright, energetic and driven individual. As a student and as a professional, Kirsten has demonstrated analytical acumen and creativity. She is hard working and proactive. She is an independent thinker and committed to her convictions, but also always remains open to new ideas and collaborative in her work style.
Lynne Roque AlleySenior Account Manager, Fannie Mae
Kirsten served Rhode Island as the representative from the federal Economic Development Administration (EDA). We worked together on the vetting of public works project proposals for possible EDA funding. I found her to be a very conscientious and customer service oriented person. I also found her to be smart and personable.
William McKennaPlanner, State of Rhode Island
With her skills as a planner, Kirsten possessed a keen sense for getting to the heart of a client’s access management and planning challenges, while her interpersonal skills invariably could be counted on to establish an outstanding rapport with clients and partnering firms’ team members. The combination of these qualities always resulted in well-received reports that were highly logical, and offered realistic, achievable and affordable solutions.
Joseph SciulliPartner, Chance Management Advisors
Kirsten is an outstanding expert with a very rich professional experience! I was amazed by her knowledge, passion and high quality execution level. Kirsten works very efficiently and delivers even before time. She pays attention to details and every single important fact and it’s a pleasure working with her. I highly recommend Kirsten as an expert for economic recovery which we will all need after this global isolation. Every single Government should reach out to this remarkable woman!
Catherine B. RoyCEO & Founder, LHM International
Kirsten and I attended UPENN’s City Planning program and collaborated in numerous academic projects. She always demonstrated an incredible commitment to improve existing communities through planning solutions. Her understanding of tax and real estate issues always brought innovative and economically sound alternatives to solve complex planning issues. She is proactive, always maintains a balanced perspective, and is a great teammate.
Eva GarzaSenior Vice President, JLL
Kirsten served Rhode Island as the representative from the federal Economic Development Administration (EDA). We worked together on the vetting of public works project proposals for possible EDA funding. I found her to be a very conscientious and customer service oriented person. I also found her to be smart and personable.
Matthew JakubowskiChief Planner, Douglas County, Co.
Kirsten is a detailed oriented professional who goes the extra mile to produce exceptional results.
Kerri YapProject Manager, Johnson, Mirmiran, & Thompas
Kirsten assisted in a Comprehensive Plan for a small Town in which her guidence brought in many stake holders in the project and included a package for all the residence in the community to review and make suggestions.
Donald MulrineTown Administrator, Denton
Kirsten is very professional and extremely knowledgeable in her field of expertise. A fantastic individual to work with and I highly recommend Kirsten as a Business Partner.
Larry diBoniEconomic Development Director, City of Cranston, RI
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Plan Alignment Case Study
US Virgin Islands/FEMA/USEDA – Sagax Associates has been collaborating with FEMA and the United States Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (USEDA) on plan alignment specifically in the U.S. Virgin Islands. We focused on aligning economic development and resilience plans with FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP)—known in the Virgin Islands as the Hazard Mitigation and Resilience Plan (HMRP).
At the headquarters level, we worked with FEMA Region 2 contractors examining “crosswalk” concepts between USEDA’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) and FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP).
The USEDA and FEMA have identified the value of aligning and integrating the CEDS and the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Plan processes.
These agencies have been collaborating on plan requirements of both plans for grantees to access respective program funding streams. With FEMA, USEDA, and our team in the USVI, we determined that aligning the CEDS and HMP processes had several benefits including:
- Increased access to federal economic resilience and mitigation resources
- Decreased administrative burden on communities and regions
- Improved coordination that facilitates participation among more stakeholders.
When developing the outcomes for plan alignment research for USEDA, our ultimate goal was…
USVI Tech Park Case Study
Sagax Associates was brought on by the Virgin Islands Research Tech Park to work on several initiatives. One major project that we are currently working on is to develop a funding strategy to leverage federal, local, and philanthropic funds for RT Park’s mixed-use opportunity zone real estate development project on St. Croix.)
Open Bracket Delaware Case Study
Tech Industry & Entrepreneurship Branding Strategy and Workforce Talent Attraction – The State of Delaware, specifically it’s largest city Wilmington, was facing a multi-pronged economic development crisis.
In 2015, the City of Wilmington had been nationally recognized , as “MurderTown USA” with the highest violent crime rates in the nation. One of Delaware’s largest and most notable employers, DuPont, announced a major merger with Dow Chemical resulting in a significant sudden and severe loss of jobs- a significant portion of which were high wage and high skill positions.
Meanwhile, Delaware’s other cornerstone employers- the banking industry- were growing their “fin-tech” businesses and had been leaning on a local non-profit startup, Zip Code Wilmington, to provide training for entry level computer programmers to enter the workforce with the basic coding experience needed…
USVI Economic Recovery Support Case Study
USVI Economic Recovery Support Function following Hurricanes Irma & Maria – We are part of a team of consultants that provided subject matter expertise in economic recovery and resilience in the US Virgin Islands following Hurricanes Irma and Maria. While this multi-year initiative and contract has evolved over time, the following core focuses have remained: capacity building, coordination/collaboration, workforce development, ocean economy, and economic data indicators.
Capacity Building- Increase organizational capacity for economic recovery and resilience through support for the USVI’s agencies and organizations aligning with the USVI strategic vision. The USVI faces ongoing challenges with long-term implementation of strategic comprehensive economic recovery vision and subsequent projects that support sustainable economic development.
We have been providing ongoing support to the territory with professional expertise and technical assistance by promoting the alignment of economic recovery and resilience plans including, but not limited to: the USVI Hazard Mitigation Plan, the USVI Tourism Plan, the USVI Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, and the 2040 Vision.
Coordination and Collaboration- Facilitate federal interagency coordination and collaboration pertaining to economic recovery to ensure fiduciary stewardship of funds and access to economic recovery programs in the USVI. We collaborate within the FEMA National Disaster Recovery Framework to ensure there is coordination on several areas of recovery.
Contact Us
With an A+ accreditation rating from the Better Business Bureau, endorsement by Forbes as one of the Next 1,000 Startups, and a certified Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Sagax possesses the skills, knowledge, and growth necessary to support communities. To learn how Sagax Associates can uniquely support your community’s preparation, response, or recovery from disasters or other disruptions, please contact us.
- 302-217-3035
- office@sagaxassociates.com
- Wilmington, Delaware, USA
