how we work
Shelley leads the charge in brand elevation, marketing, and event management. Her skilled approach ensures an organization’s brand and messaging align with its mission, forging a deeper connection with stakeholders.
Laura brings deep expertise in nonprofit leadership, operations, and project management, with a focus on building the infrastructure that ensures long-term success. She leads efforts to secure new funding, broaden organizational influence, and connect with key opportunities for advocacy and policy engagement.
Beyond our core leadership, we are enhanced by a network of experienced professionals we can call on as needed, offering additional expertise in fundraising, government relations, HR, data management, media relations, and community engagement. This ensures our clients receive comprehensive, high-level support tailored to their specific needs.
Together, we help your organization adapt and grow, ready to embrace new opportunities. Whether you're solving immediate problems or navigating the future, Blue Octopus can provide adaptable, tailored solutions for you.
meet our team
shelley sowers
co-founder & ceo
With over two decades of leadership experience in operations, marketing, and event management, I have learned that adaptability, creativity, and collaboration are the keys to success.
shelley sowers
co-founder & ceo
Life is a busy balancing act, and that’s where I shine. Over two decades of leadership experience in operations, marketing, and event management have taught me that adaptability, creativity, and collaboration are the keys to success. Whether I’m managing a professional soccer team or transforming the conversation around adaptive sports, I thrive in fast-paced, high-stakes environments with lots of moving parts.
One of my strengths is bringing together diverse, sometimes unconventional groups and helping them collaborate effectively. I’m all about turning complex challenges into productive solutions, whether it’s orchestrating large, intricate events or spearheading transformative brand elevation projects. My approach is hands-on and results-driven, with a focus on finding innovative, practical strategies to help organizations grow and maximize their impact.
I’m especially passionate about elevating brands—taking them to the next level and reshaping how they’re seen. Whether refining marketing strategies, driving revenue, or managing day-to-day operations, I focus on creating meaningful change.
When I’m not juggling work, I’m busy keeping up with my two energetic boys and my husband, a professional soccer coach.
I’m excited to launch Blue Octopus Consulting with Laura, my business partner and close friend. Together, we combine creativity, collaboration, and expertise to help organizations tackle challenges and reach their full potential. Let’s connect and explore how we can help your organization thrive!
meet shelley >>
laura bennett
co-founder & ceo
With 25 years of nonprofit leadership under my belt, I’ve seen just about everything—but I’m still learning every day. I believe curiosity and a good sense of humor go a long way in solving complex problems.
laura bennett
co-founder & ceo
With 25 years of nonprofit leadership under my belt, I’ve seen just about everything—but I’m still learning every day. I believe curiosity and a good sense of humor go a long way in solving complex problems.
Whether it’s untangling operational knots, fine-tuning governance, figuring out the best database, or crafting effective advocacy strategies, I bring a practical, hands-on approach and a deep commitment to helping organizations succeed in the moment and prepare for the future.
Throughout my career, I’ve led large-scale organizational overhauls, developed high-impact advocacy strategies, and built systems, programs, and strategies that have driven lasting change. My focus is always on creating practical, effective solutions that align with each organization’s unique needs and goals.
On a personal note, I live out in the country (truly the boonies!) with my husband, two lively (and lovely) daughters, eight cats (yes, you read that right), a one-eyed dog, and two guinea pigs. We love to travel, have adventures, and spend money we don’t have doing it. 
As I embark on my next adventure with Blue Octopus, I’m lucky to have Shelley as my business partner, collaborator, and friend.
meet laura >>
hamilton holloway
senior consultant
Hamilton Holloway guides clients through leadership, communications, board development, public policy and advocacy issues.
hamilton holloway
senior consultant
Hamilton Holloway is Senior Consultant at Blue Octopus where he guides clients through leadership, communications, board development, public policy and advocacy issues.
Prior to joining Blue Octopus, he was the marketing and communications director for Families Forward Virginia, where he led the creation and implementation of strategic, multi-faceted communications and public policy designed to build and strengthen the organization’s role and reputation as a leader and authoritative voice in family well being and child abuse prevention, both in Virginia and nationally.
Prior to joining Families Forward, Hamilton worked on bank outreach as well as executive and crisis communications for the Federal Reserve, and previously spent a decade at Capital One as it grew from a spin-off bank-card division into one of the largest and most recognized financial institutions in the country.
There Hamilton ran large-scale events and special projects before becoming the company’s spokesman and crisis communications bullseye. He got his start in print journalism, where he was news editor of several papers in North Carolina.
meet hamilton >>
elizabeth redford
senior consultant
Elizabeth Redford is a disability and education consultant with over 16 years of experience in special education, nonprofit leadership, curriculum development, and program design.
elizabeth redford
senior consultant
Elizabeth Redford is a disability and education consultant with over 16 years of experience in special education, nonprofit leadership, curriculum development, and program design.
As a classroom teacher turned nonprofit founder and executive director, she built innovative vocational education and supported employment programs for young adults with disabilities while leading strategy, operations, fundraising, branding, and organizational growth.
Elizabeth now supports organizations on strategic planning, curriculum design, and systems improvement. She holds a Master's degree in Special Education.
Outside of work, Elizabeth enjoys DIY projects, exploring accessible design, encouraging other women to build confidence using power tools, and spending time with her family in Richmond's James River Park System.
meet elizabeth >>