History
The Founders
Tessie Catsambas and Laverne Webb launched EnCompass LLC in 1999 with the goal of developing a company that promotes organizational excellence through innovative solutions. Laverne co-founded EnCompass after a career in the nonprofit and government sectors in which she led organizations in the health and youth service areas domestically, managed relief and development programs in Africa, and served as the director of the U.S. Peace Corps’ health care system. Tessie had 20 years of experience in international consulting, including roles in administrative and financial management, business development, and technical leadership in evaluation and quality assurance. They met in graduate school and had been good friends for over 15 years before establishing EnCompass.
Getting Started
As Tessie and Laverne began working with clients in their respective areas of expertise, clients asked them for help in meeting other challenges they faced in the workplace, particularly building capacity and strengthening systems. They thus began hiring high-quality staff and building a global network of consultants to address a broad array of issues, and expanding EnCompass’ practice areas to include leadership, face-to-face training and e-learning.
The Company’s Evolution
Laverne and Tessie were committed from the beginning to building a company that fit people’s lives. This has remained a strong value at EnCompass where life balance is embraced and accommodated whenever possible. For 10 years, EnCompass operated virtually, with staff and consultants providing quality services to an expanding group of global clients through a mix of face-to-face and online services. In 2009, EnCompass entered a period of rapid growth in new projects and staff, and opened a physical office in Rockville, MD.
A core strength of EnCompass is its capacity to bring together a multicultural workforce around the globe and across its three practice areas to serve clients in regions/countries where they work. In 2010, EnCompass launched its first global services operation in Geneva, Switzerland, to better serve its clients from the United Nations and the private sector.
EnCompass Today
Since 2000, EnCompass has grown from a handful of employees to over 40 staff and a Global Consulting Network of more than 100 associates. EnCompass has worked with hundreds of organizations and colleagues, many of them repeat clients. We take pride in all that our clients and colleagues have accomplished. We are grateful for the opportunity to be part of important and meaningful work in the world and for the many contributions to our own learning and growth as an organization.
