Building on our experience supporting mission-driven professional communities, the Management HQ team is expanding its work to partner with government agencies. With skills in strategic planning, event design, and facilitation, our Government Services team is prepared to support public sector initiatives that center on engagement, equity, and impact.
Meet the team leading this emerging area of focus:
Dara Rudick (she/her), CAE
EXECUTIVE CONSULTANT, MHQ CEO AND OWNER
Dara is founder and CEO of MHQ and serves as executive project consultant, providing guidance and direction, overall team and project support, and project resources.
Dara is a Certified Association Executive (CAE) with more than two decades of proven success in serving associations that are determined to thrive. To date, she has engaged dozens of team members to serve 10,000+ members, implemented the vision of more than 25 Boards of Directors, managed hundreds of volunteers, and delivered nearly one thousand stellar events.
Rachel Gaul (she/her), Project Manager
Rachel is responsible for oversight and management of the project and team, as well as serving as primary client contact. She has 9 years of experience in project management, technical, and customer support.
Before joining MHQ, Rachel spent five years supporting clients and customers in large tech companies, managing and implementing multiple on-time go-lives for her clients. She also served as a non-profit community manager, building and maintaining relationships with an online community of over 8,000 members and leading internal process improvement efforts.
Grace McKinney, Lead Project Manager
Grace is responsible for oversight and management of the project and team, as well as serving as a main contact to the client. She brings to this work strong experience in community engagement and project management.
Before joining MHQ, Grace led critical efforts in community advocacy and program management at the Powderhorn Park Neighborhood Association (PPNA) where she worked alongside coalitions that included community leaders, elected and appointed officials, and local businesses to engage around issues including public safety, affordable housing, and renters’ services. Her work at PPNA also focused on engaging neighbors, conducting surveys and other community engagement efforts on behalf of the City of Minneapolis and other local governments. Grace is experienced with resource development planning and implementation. She has a proven track record of effectively managing within limited budgets while providing an excellent experience to stakeholders.
Will Shaughnessy (he/him), Project Support Coordinator
Will Shaughnessy will provide additional support in the collection, organization, and updating of materials throughout government project, lending additional capacity as needed.
With his extensive background in hospitality, Will brings a commitment to friendly and compassionate service along with his dedication to creating and implementing unique and efficient solutions and systems for MHQ clients.
Will graduated from the University of Minnesota with a B.A in History and Medieval Studies. His interest in history has given him an appreciation for the importance of seeking context and recognizing interconnectedness while approaching complex issues or situations. While working at the Radisson Blu and Radisson Red hotels in Downtown Minneapolis, Will applied this understanding to the many diverse needs and expectations of tourists, business travelers, sports fans, concert attendees, and other guests staying in the city.
Amy Sellheim (she/her), Event Manager
Amy serves as Events Manager, supporting our clients by managing their annual conferences, educational, and networking events. With 19 years’ experience in both association management and program and event management, Amy’s expertise brings immediate impact to clients.
Experienced in all aspects of strategic program management, Amy thrives in the event space that brings people together.
Lynn Noble (she/her), Event and Sponsorship Coordinator
Lynn serves as Event and Sponsorship Coordinator, where she works alongside Amy on implementing strategic vision for client events and coordinating sponsorship programs. Her efforts deliver memorable experiences that meet and exceed client brand, attendance, and ROI goals.
Previous to Management HQ, Lynn executed multiple national and international trade shows to maximize lead generation, fostering strong client relationships and resulting in improved client retention rates. Lynn has extensive experience with event and administrative management, including leading all facets for 120+ attendees, with semi-annual membership meetings, keeping expenses and deliverables on target with budget and timeline.
Vincent Lungaro (he/him), Marketing & Communications Coordinator
Vincent serves as MHQ’s Marketing and Communications Coordinator, focusing on supporting client associations through developing and implementing effective communication plans, digital media, and overall communications and outreach efforts.
Prior to joining MHQ, Vince worked for six years at the Penn State Alumni Association as a Marketing Communications Specialist. In that role, Vincent led communications for several high-impact projects and managed the Alumni Association’s social media channels.
About MHQ
Driven by the vision of a thriving, vibrant community, MHQ is a woman-owned, world-class management company that delivers customized services. Founded in 2013, MHQ has provided association management services since its inception, as well as infrastructure to organizations in a range of industries. We serve professional and trade associations, as well as government and public sector entities. For more about MHQ, visit https://www.management-hq.com/.
