Turning data into strategy, vision into action, and community voice into lasting impact

About Gaston-Shaffer

Led by Patricia Moore Shaffer and David Gaston, Gaston-Shaffer helps schools, colleges, nonprofits, and public agencies turn vision into action. We specialize in translating complex information into clear strategies that build capacity, foster collaboration, and create lasting impact.

About Our Services

Our Services

At Gaston-Shaffer, we partner with schools, colleges, nonprofits, and public agencies to design strategies that are practical, inclusive, and evidence-based. Our work bridges research and action—helping clients secure funding, plan for the future, engage communities, and build organizational capacity.

From grant writing and strategic planning to data visualization, leadership development, and community consultation, our services are designed to deliver actionable insights and lasting impact. We tailor each engagement to the unique needs of our clients, ensuring that results are not only measurable but meaningful.

Community Consultation

We design and facilitate inclusive engagement processes that give voice to stakeholders and strengthen community partnerships. Using a variety of methods—focus groups, listening sessions, town halls, and virtual input—we help clients gather authentic feedback to shape programs and policies. We specialize in participatory program design and consensus-building, ensuring that initiatives are community-grounded and sustainable.

Data Visualization

We transform research and consultation findings into clear, compelling visuals that drive action. From interactive dashboards to infographics and reports, we make data accessible and meaningful to funders, boards, educators, and community stakeholders. Our communications expertise ensures that evidence is not only understood but also used to inform strategy and practice.

Grant Writing

We help organizations secure funding by translating vision into compelling, competitive proposals. Our team brings extensive knowledge of federal, state, and private funding opportunities and a proven track record of success. We guide clients from concept development to final submission, ensuring proposals are strategically aligned, technically sound, and funder-ready.

Special Studies

We conduct customized research studies to answer critical questions and inform decision-making. Services include surveys, needs assessments, organizational audits, and school climate studies. Our team employs mixed-methods approaches to generate reliable, actionable insights—delivered in clear, accessible formats that support policy, planning, and continuous improvement.

Strategic Planning

We design strategic planning processes that are inclusive, data-driven, and actionable. Our approach blends facilitation, environmental scanning, and best practices in organizational development. Whether developing a five-year roadmap, aligning programs to mission, or building performance-measurement systems, we help institutions set clear priorities and stay accountable to their goals.

Meet the Team

Chief Executive Officer

Patricia Moore Shaffer, Ph.D.

Patricia Moore Shaffer brings experience in research, evaluation, and performance measurement of educational leadership, curriculum, and career and workforce development initiatives. Dr. Shaffer has facilitated strategic and program planning in school districts, higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations and workforce development boards, and federal government agencies. She is the former Grant & Policy Writer of Hampton City Schools (VA), Vice President of the Educational Policy Institute, and Evaluation Manager of NASA’s Office of Education. She earned a Master of Arts in Curriculum Studies at the University of Toronto and a Ph.D. in Educational Policy, Planning and Leadership at The College of William and Mary.

Chief Operating Officer & Project Manager

David Gaston, Ed.D.

David Gaston specializes in leadership training and coaching, organizational development, strategic planning, restructuring systems improvement and turnaround work, curriculum and development and board/leadership relations training. Dr. Gaston served as a classroom teacher, elementary, middle, and high school assistant principal and principal and central office administrator prior to being named Division Superintendent for Charles City Public Schools (VA), where he served in this capacity until his retirement in June 30, 2020. Gaston earned a Bachelor of Arts in Government/History, a Master of Arts in Secondary School Instruction, and an Ed.D. in Educational Policy, Planning and Leadership from The College of William and Mary.

Associate

Joseph Ellis, MS.Ed, MSBA

Joseph Ellis blends a strong foundation in education with advanced technical expertise in business intelligence and analytics. He began his career as a teacher and later served as Supervisor of Academic Data for Newport News Public Schools (VA), where he developed predictive models, built Power BI dashboards for school leaders, and presented research to school boards and the Virginia Department of Education. As Business Intelligence Manager at Riverside Health System, Mr. Ellis leads a team in developing enterprise reporting solutions, designing interactive dashboards, and building custom data pipelines to integrate and transform data from multiple sources. Mr. Ellis has a master’s degree in Education from Purdue University and master’s degree in Business Analytics from The College of William & Mary.

Associate

George Parker III, Ph.D.

George Parker III is a seasoned educational leader with over 30 years of experience in public education, including eight years as a District Superintendent in Caroline County and Newport News, Virginia. His career spans urban, rural, and suburban school districts of varying sizes, where he has consistently championed sustainable programs that drive meaningful outcomes for students, staff, and communities. Recognized at both state and national levels for his innovative initiatives, Dr. Parker now leads Leveraged Education Solutions LLC, a consultancy dedicated to empowering school and corporate institutions through strategic advisement, program evaluation, and leadership development. His work reflects a deep commitment to aligning organizational effort with impactful results, helping clients build systems that are both data-driven and tailored to their unique capacities.

Our Clients

Get in Touch

1311 Jamestown Road, Suite 101

Williamsburg, Virginia 23185

757-871-5123