Expert guidance. Custom frameworks. Lasting results.

Jim Wehner

Founder & CEO - Trellis Consulting Group

Jim Jim Wehner is a trusted advisor and strategic architect who helps leaders and organizations clarify vision, design sustainable systems, and build frameworks that turn purpose into performance. With more than 25 years of executive leadership and consulting experience, Jim guides mission-driven teams through growth and change, ensuring their strategies, structures, and culture remain aligned.

As the founder of Trellis Consulting Group, Jim partners with organizations to strengthen infrastructure, develop leadership capacity, and navigate complex transitions with clarity and confidence. His work blends strategic insight with hands-on implementation, helping leaders translate vision into actionable plans that drive sustainable growth.

Before launching Trellis, Jim served for 17 years as President of Focused Community Strategies (FCS), a nationally recognized nonprofit known for its innovative approach to holistic community development, affordable housing, and neighborhood revitalization. Under his leadership, FCS expanded its impact and became a model for mission-driven, sustainable urban renewal.

Drawing from his experience in organizational strategy, leadership development, and community transformation, Jim brings a practical yet deeply values-based approach to his work. Whether advising executives, facilitating leadership teams, or speaking to audiences, he challenges leaders to build with intention — ensuring that growth strengthens both people and purpose.Leadership at Focused Community Strategies (FCS)

During his tenure at FCS, Jim successfully:

  • Expanded the organization's affordable housing portfolio, creating sustainable housing solutions for underserved communities

  • Developed innovative community development programs that became models for other organizations

  • Led strategic partnerships with public and private entities to maximize community impact

  • Oversaw significant organizational growth while maintaining mission integrity and financial stability

  • Pioneered neighborhood-focused development strategies that empowered residents and built community capacity

Our Value Statements

Sustainable Innovation requires strong Foundations

Innovation and strong foundations are inseparable. Without proper foundations, innovations simply won't endure. We are committed to fostering lasting, sustainable growth built on solid mission, vision and values.

Don't deny the story, Defy the ending

You've tackled this problem repeatedly, and each attempt seems to give you a reason to quit. However, lasting solutions emerge from mistakes and failed attempts at solving difficult challenges. Stay the course and defy the expected ending. Something valuable will always come from learning.

Clarity is Kindness

Transparency, precision, and consistency in communication builds trust, reduces friction, and aligns teams toward shared objectives, transforming organizational culture. Clarity cuts through confusion, offering teams a shared understanding that fosters trust and reduces frustration, ultimately showing profound respect for everyone's time and energy.

Self Care and Self Development are Quantum

Leaders that don’t care for themselves cannot care for others in a sustained way. Leaders that produce great leaders are exponentially more successful than leaders that do everything themselves. A leader worth following has done the hard work of self-care and self-development.

  • Jim has extensive expertise in:

    • Affordable housing development, management, and financing

    • Community-based program design and implementation

    • Neighborhood revitalization strategies that preserve community culture

    • Cross-sector collaboration between non-profits, businesses, and government agencies

    • Creating sustainable economic development models in underserved communities

  • As an executive leader, Jim excels in:

    • Building and sustaining high-performance organizational cultures

    • Developing effective board relationships and governance structures

    • Strategic fundraising and stakeholder management

    • Mission-aligned program design and evaluation

    • Organizational scaling and capacity building

  • Jim brings additional value through his association with GiANT Worldwide, where he has:

    • Mastered transformative leadership development methodologies

    • Developed expertise in applying leadership frameworks to organizational challenges

    • Acquired tools for building healthy organizational cultures and team dynamics

    • Enhanced his ability to mentor emerging leaders through personalized development plans

    • Integrated practical leadership principles with organizational strategy

  • Through Trellis Consulting Group, Jim combines his extensive real-world leadership experience with proven personal development methodologies to help organizations and leaders:

    • Align mission, strategy, and operational excellence

    • Develop the next generation of organizational leaders

    • Navigate complex organizational transitions and growth

    • Build sustainable team cultures based on clear values and expectations

    • Create strategic plans that translate vision into actionable outcomes

    Jim's unique blend of executive leadership experience, affordable housing expertise, and personal development knowledge makes him an invaluable resource for organizations seeking transformational growth and sustainable impact.