The People In Your Corner
Behind every grant strategy and evaluation plan is a team who genuinely cares about your mission. Get to know the people who’ll be in your corner.
Michelle Lawrence Bidwell, MPH
Founder & Lead Consultant, Granted AdvisorsMichelle brings 10+ years of experience in grant writing, evaluation, and nonprofit development. With a public health background, she specializes in helping organizations create sustainable systems rooted in equity, data, and impact. Her approach is both strategic and human-centered—empowering clients to do their best work long after the contract ends.
Dante Bidwell
Chief Operating Officer, Granted AdvisorsBefore assuming the role of COO of Granted Advisors, Dante Bidwell spent more than a decade working in public sector leadership and administration, most recently serving as the Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Baton Rouge and East Baton Rouge Parish. During his time serving the cities of New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Dante was involved in all aspects of municipal government, including internal operations, technology procurement, training, and public accountability, while fostering collaboration across local, state, and federal agencies. He holds a Master of Science degree in Applied Sociology, as well as professional credentials from the Harvard Business School Public Education Leadership Program and Institute of Politics at Loyola University in New Orleans.
Krystle Mitchell
Director of Grants and Client StrategyKrystle brings more than a decade of nonprofit leadership experience to Granted Advisors, having secured millions of dollars in federal and state funding for mission-driven organizations. A graduate of Alcorn State University and current MBA candidate at Walden University, she is a trusted advocate at the local, state, and federal levels.
Laura Eiklenborg
Process and Quality Consultant and Federal Grant ExpertLaura is a results-driven professional with more than 20 years of expertise in grant and proposal writing, project management, and business development across corporate, nonprofit, and government sectors, having contributed to securing more than $100 million in health information technology, human services, and public health contracts and grants. She holds a master’s degree in public health from the University of Minnesota and thrives in dynamic environments, delivering strategic solutions that help people lead healthier lives.
Dr. Jasmine J. Gibbs-Stepter
Grant WriterDr. Jasmine J. Gibbs-Stepter is a grant writer with over a decade of experience in grant development, nonprofit strategy, fundraising, and program management. She has supported organizations across health and human services, higher education, arts and culture, and community development, helping secure millions of dollars through federal, state, foundation, and corporate funding opportunities.
Melissa Binder
Prospect ResearcherMelissa brings more than 20 years of fundraising and nonprofit management experience to Granted Advisors, honed through her career with Junior Achievement and the Orleans Parish Medical Society. A native New Orleanian, she holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of New Orleans, an MBA from UNO, and is a graduate of the Penn State Executive Management Program.
Brittany Julian
Executive AssistantBrittany brings more than 7 years of executive support and 15 years of education experience to Granted Advisors, where she manages calendars, client meeting coordination, agenda preparation, and Asana administration across the firm’s client portfolio. Her career began in private tutoring, which laid the foundation for how she builds and documents systems today. She is the founder of SB Advisors Academy, an instructor at AI Junkies University, and holds seven Anthropic certifications. A visual, hands on learner, she thrives in fast moving environments and brings order and follow through to the details that keep client work on track.
Georgette “Gigi” Beason
Brand Manager and Marketing CoordinatorGeorgette “Gigi” Beason serves as the Brand Manager and Marketing Coordinator for Granted Advisors, where she leads the strategic direction of the company’s brand presence, marketing initiatives, content strategy, and visibility efforts. She works closely with the founder and team to strengthen Granted Advisors’ positioning across digital platforms while supporting website strategy, content development, campaigns, lead-generation initiatives, partnerships, and opportunities that expand the firm’s reach and impact.