Jen Dean Inman
Jen (Miller) Dean-Inman is the Founder of Black Forest Strategies, a consulting firm dedicated to strengthening the rural organizations that form the backbone of American communities. She partners with nonprofits, municipalities, school districts, emergency services, and public agencies—entities often tasked with tremendous responsibility yet limited resources—to help them secure funding, build capacity, and design sustainable, high-impact projects. In recognition of her leadership, Jen was named the 2025 Evergreen Award Winner for Best Strategic Funding Partner for Nonprofits and Municipalities in the United States.
With extensive experience in grant writing, funding strategy, community development, emergency services support, and municipal revitalization, Jen operates at the intersection of systems, strategy, and lived experience. Her work centers on eliminating barriers for mission-driven and rural organizations by offering clear, high-quality strategic guidance. She helps clients navigate complex funding landscapes, develop grant-ready initiatives, strengthen internal operations, and build long-term resilience that allows them to better serve their communities.
Beyond her consulting work, Jen serves as a Borough Councilwoman and Infrastructure Committee Chair for the Borough of Austin (PA), where she oversees multi-phase capital projects and collaborates with state agencies on critical infrastructure improvements. A longtime EMT and emergency services advocate, she brings decades of frontline experience to her roles in public service and community development. Through Black Forest Strategies and her civic leadership, Jen remains committed to empowering rural communities and ensuring they have the resources, clarity, and strategic support needed to thrive.
• PMP® Certification Training Course
• Grant Seeking Essentials Certificate
• Syracuse University
• York College of Pennsylvania
• Austin Volunteer Fire Company Inc
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my ability to thrive in complexity and chaos—something I’ve come to recognize as one of the greatest strengths of my ADHD. What some might view as a challenge has become my superpower, allowing me to juggle multiple grants, compliance demands, and organizational systems with clarity and momentum. I also credit my resilience, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to serving communities that are too often overlooked.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received was to trust my instincts and lean into the work that energizes me, even when it feels risky. That guidance gave me the clarity and courage to leave corporate work and build a business that truly aligns with my strengths, values, and the way I want to live. It reminded me that the right path isn’t always the safest one—but it’s always the one that feels like home.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I encourage young women entering this field to stop waiting until they feel “ready” and instead learn by doing. Take on challenges before you think you’re fully prepared, ask bold questions, and understand that failure—like my first unsuccessful grant attempt—is often the turning point toward real mastery. I also want young women to know that neurodiversity isn’t a barrier; when you understand and leverage it, it can become one of your greatest strengths.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in grant writing and municipal funding right now is navigating increasingly complex compliance requirements, especially as budgets shrink and administrative capacities are stretched. At the same time, I see tremendous opportunity for communities that are strategic, organized, and proactive in pursuing funding. Rural municipalities in particular can achieve significant impact when they access resources that were previously out of reach.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me in both work and life are integrity, service, and accountability. I believe in showing up fully for my community, honoring my commitments, and approaching every task with care and ethical rigor. At the same time, I prioritize family, flexibility, and authenticity—structuring my schedule so I can support my children, my clients, and my community without compromising any of them. Outside of work, I volunteer as a firefighter and EMT, garden, cook, and stay actively engaged with my children’s activities, because hands-on service and meaningful involvement are central to who I am.