Melanie Sue Hicks, PhD

Dr. Melanie Sue Hicks is a nationally recognized expert in grant writing and strategic funding development, with over two decades of experience helping organizations turn mission into momentum. 

As the founder of InPursuit Research, a boutique consulting firm, she has supported hundreds of clients in securing millions in grant funding across sectors. Her work spans local, state, federal, and private funding streams, and includes everything from single-year proposals to complex multi-partner collaborative grants.

Dr. Hicks brings a deep well of experience from her former leadership roles, including Chief Programs Officer at Warrior-Scholar Project, CEO of Children’s Athletic Network, and Vice President of Education Solutions at MGT Consulting. She also served as Assistant Provost at the University of Tampa and previously led federal and state grant efforts as Director of Research at the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida. There, she implemented a four-prong system for collaborative grant applications that expanded statewide partnerships and increased competitive funding success.

Her academic background includes a doctorate in Public Administration and Policy from Florida State University, a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Miami, and a bachelor’s in Organizational Communications from the University of Central Florida. 

Dr. Hicks is also a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE), a Senior Certified Professional with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM-SCP), and holds a Business Analytics certificate from Harvard Business School.

With a deep commitment to mission-driven storytelling and a talent for turning complex ideas into fundable frameworks, Dr. Hicks is a trusted partner for organizations ready to grow their impact through strategic grant development.

Sydney Hubley is a seasoned legal professional and grant writer with over two decades of experience in the justice system and a growing portfolio of successful grant work. Sydney brings a unique combination of legal and personal experience to her grant writing practice, providing deep insight into the challenges and resource needs faced by public safety agencies.

Sydney began her legal career as an Assistant State Attorney in Florida’s 1st Judicial Circuit, where she prosecuted thousands of criminal cases. Her extensive courtroom experience sharpened her understanding of the criminal justice system and the operational demands placed on law enforcement agencies. She later worked as a Senior Attorney for the Florida Department of Children and Families, advocating for the protection of children in cases involving abuse, abandonment, and neglect. Since 2014, she has served as a General Magistrate, presiding over complex matters including divorce, child custody, truancy, guardianship, and involuntary civil commitments under the Baker and Marchman Acts.

Drawing on her deep legal knowledge and writing expertise, Sydney now develops competitive, mission-aligned grant proposals. She is particularly skilled at creating funding proposals that parallel local needs and federal or state funding priorities.

Sydney holds a Juris Doctor from The University of Georgia School of Law and dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Economics and Political Science from Florida State University, where she graduated Cum Laude.

As the long-time spouse of a law enforcement officer, Sydney has a personal appreciation for the demands placed on first responders and the communities they serve. Her work is driven by a commitment to justice, public safety, and the responsible stewardship of public resources.