Gloria Fernandez

Gloria Fernandez Estébanez is an accomplished project and grants management executive with 30-years of experience advising public and private sector organizations on funding strategies and compliance. As President of The Consulting Lead, a certified minority and women-owned firm, Ms. Fernandez Estebanez provides specialized consulting on project implementation, grants administration, and regulatory adherence for government agencies and universities. She has directed multi-million-dollar FEMA reimbursement portfolios and helped clients secure and manage complex federal grants.

Leveraging robust expertise spanning research development, proposal writing, and sponsored programs, Ms. Fernandez Estébanez empowers stakeholders to optimize external funding opportunities. She has held leadership roles at notable organizations including ICF Incorporated, FEMA, CSA Group, and the Ana G. Méndez University System. Ms.Fernandez Estebanez holds a M.A. in Politics of International Resources/Development from the University of Leeds.

Gloria is a Certified Research Administrator (CRA) is a professional who has been certified by the Research Administrators Certification Council (RACC) as having the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage and administer research projects and programs. In the context of grant writing and management, a CRA's expertise can be particularly valuable in navigating the complex requirements of federal research grants, ensuring compliance with regulations, and effectively managing the financial and administrative aspects of research.

The Consulting Lead LLC (TCL), a boutique management consulting firm with extensive experience in federal grant management and disaster recovery services. With headquarters in San Juan, Puerto Rico, it is authorized to do business in the state of Florida and has established operations in the City of St. Petersburg.

Founded in 2014, TCL has built a strong track record working on complex, mission-critical initiatives for state and local governments as well as non-profit organizations. Their expertise spans the full federal grant lifecycle, including pre-award services, post-award compliance, and program management for grants from numerous federal agencies such as FEMA, HUD, DOT, and HHS. TCL has demonstrated proficiency in addressing compliance with Uniform Administrative Requirements and Cost Principles under 2 CFR Part 200, handling matters like monitoring, corrective action plans, procurement, and budget management.