Meet The Paradox Consultants Team
Dave Buckles
President & Consultant
Dave Buckles is a seasoned executive and organizational strategist with more than 30 years of leadership experience across education, construction, and nonprofit development. As founder of Paradox Consultants Group, he equips Christian schools and mission-driven organizations with the leadership capacity, systems, and structure needed for long-term health and sustainable growth. His work centers on helping leaders build clarity, alignment, and momentum during seasons of change.
Dave has coached executive leaders, boards, and leadership teams nationwide, helping organizations strengthen culture, clarify governance, and execute mission-aligned strategy. Prior to Paradox, he served as President of Foundation Academy, leading transformational growth that expanded enrollment from 550 to more than 1,400 students and earned recognition as an Orlando Business Journal Top Workplace and CEO of the Year.
Dave is a certified Harrison Assessment coach and specializes in leadership development, organizational alignment, and strategic implementation. His approach is relational, practical, and results-driven—helping leaders move from vision to clarity and measurable outcomes.
Kelly Blake
Non-Profit Consultant
Kelly is a seasoned executive leader with more than 25 years of experience driving organizational transformation, growth, and turnaround success across technology, education, hospitality, real estate, and nonprofit sectors. He has led high-impact teams in both U.S. and international markets, consistently delivering strategic clarity, sustainable revenue growth, and operational excellence.
He currently serves as Interim President of Abundant Life Ministries, where he has strengthened governance, boosted revenue, elevated compensation, and revitalized community engagement. His previous leadership includes serving as Co-CEO of The Champion Group, President of IGC—the world’s largest consulting organization for faith-based schools—and President of Bearspaw Christian School, where he doubled enrollment and secured major capital funding.
Earlier in his career, Kelly held multiple CEO and senior executive roles in the global travel and hospitality technology sectors, leading mergers, international expansions, and innovative reservation technologies.
Kelly holds a B.B.A. from the University of New Mexico and is a licensed real estate professional in Arizona. He is a longtime husband, father of three, devoted follower of Jesus, and committed advisor to numerous ministries and boards.
Mark Seymour
Non-Profit Consultant
Mark Seymour is President of the Christian School Association of Greater Harrisburg (CSAGH), which oversees Harrisburg Christian School and West Shore Christian Academy. Under his leadership, enrollment has grown by more than 50%, and the organization has secured over $20 million to advance key strategic initiatives.
Mark’s career spans roles at Delaware County Christian School, Malone University, Milton Hershey School, and Eastern University, with a consistent focus on strengthening enrollment, retention, and collaborative strategic planning within both university and private school environments.
He holds an M.S. in Nonprofit Management from Eastern University and a B.A. in English Literature from Messiah University. Beyond his work at CSAGH, Mark serves on the Board of Trustees for Eastern University and on the President’s Advisory Council for BLOCS, Pennsylvania’s largest tax-credit scholarship organization.