Who We Are
Vision
To transform service-based organizations into becoming more people-centric to enhance performance and impact.
Mission
To enhance organizational success by focusing on people, strengthening relationships, and inspiring inclusive practices for those we serve.
Core Values
We strive to serve those that serve others, driven by our core values: Service, Innovation, Integrity, Excellence, Resilience, Empathy and Inclusion
Service
Innovo was founded by a team with a heritage of military service. Now, we want to bring those elements of precision, mission-based orientation, and adaptability to serve you. Your mission is our mission.
Innovation
Innovation is part of the company’s DNA and even serves as the inspiration for our name. We create thoughtful, customized solutions that combine experience and innovative practices for organizations dedicated to making the world a better place.
Integrity
Innovo is committed to honest, ethical, and strong moral principles as we ensure the enduring success of our clients with sustainable solutions aligned with our clients’ values.
Our Origin Story
Innovo’s origins trace back to the United States military when the nation was seemingly on the brink of a new era of social progress. The year 2008 marked a historic milestone – the election of a Black president.
Concurrently, Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, highlighted diversity as a strategic imperative for the security of our country, giving rise to the Military Leadership Diversity Commission. This Commission and concerted efforts throughout military ranks were aimed to elevate the diversity initiatives endorsed by the military leadership.
Despite the noble intent, such proclamations and subsequent efforts sparked a counter-reaction amongst those resistant to or intimidated by diversity efforts. This challenging atmosphere catalyzed the development of a distinct mindset among the future members of Innovo – one that aimed to transition philosophical and often political debates into actionable, operational discussions using a universally comprehensible language.
At the United States Naval Academy Office of Admissions, the future Innovo team, then serving as civilian and military staff, piloted groundbreaking strategies to increase diversity. We redefined the discourse, implemented innovative marketing tactics, and streamlined processes, yielding remarkable results – a 45% increase in the applicant pool in one year and a twofold increase within three years. This success put the Academy at the forefront of diversity in higher education. The team later carried this expertise into their roles as corporate leaders and consultants, ultimately forming Innovo.
In 2011, driven by a passion for social change, this team united to form Innovo Strategic Solutions. Innovo’s founding mission was to provide innovative strategies and problem-solving techniques to enhance organizational performance and execution capabilities. Innovo’s core ethos embodies a commitment to service, mirroring the same approach for various organizations centered around people.
Our Ethos
Innovo’s ethos embodies a genuine enthusiasm for collaborative endeavors. We love people – and the limitless possibilities for positive change when people work well together. Rooted in a commitment to personal and professional growth, accountability, and authenticity, our team places high value on thorough preparation, interdisciplinary learning, and endeavors that advance other human beings.
Each one of us embodies attributes such as passion, expertise, excellence, determination, and adaptability, enhancing our ability to deliver top-notch solutions with a resilient “never say die” attitude, on time, and on target. We enjoy learning and applying the most innovative models and methods to creatively produce solutions to new challenges and are committed to continual education to deliver superior value to customers.
Our clients describe us as responsive, process-driven, thorough, progressive, adaptive, curious, tech-oriented, modern, and simply…fun. A recent non-profit client called us “solid, reliable, professional,” and that our concepts were of value to them. Another non-profit client for over a decade cited a sense of excellence, a wide spectrum of knowledge, and an understanding of their culture as being key components to the longevity of the relationship. Results may drive the renewal, but the relationship provides the vehicle.
Our Management Team
Davede Alexander is the founder and CEO of Innovo. As an entrepreneur, strategic planner, and leader with a passion for seeing others succeed, he excels at transitioning organizations from the limits of their current state to higher performance levels. Recognized as an innovative problem solver, he has a record of exceeding expectations and building capable, confident teams. Driven by integrity and service, Davede places just as much emphasis on sustainability as he does on building effective operations.
He earned a B.S. in Political Science from the U.S. Naval Academy while playing football for the Midshipmen and his MBA from the University of Maryland Global Campus. Davede served two tours as a Surface Warfare Officer supporting the strike and maritime security operations in the North Arabian Gulf.
During his tenure as the Naval Academy’s first Director, Strategic Outreach, his team doubled the number of applications, dramatically increasing the competitiveness and diversity of incoming classes. In addition to leading Innovo, he serves as the Executive Director of the Ron Burton Training Village, a youth development organization dedicated to producing socially conscious and culturally fluent leaders of character. He also volunteers as a Governor-appointed member of the Board of Trustees at Bridgewater State University, serving as co-chair of its Racial Justice Task Force.
Danielle brings a wealth of leadership and management expertise to Innovo. She served as a Human Resources Executive Team Lead for Target®. As the HR department leader, she ensured quality hiring and employee relations for her store. On behalf of the General Manager, she oversaw and directed daily operations.
At the U.S. Naval Academy, Danielle served as Assistant Director of Strategic Outreach for the Office of Admissions. Her clear vision and marketing strategy led to successful brand awareness and a record number of applicants. She spearheaded outreach initiatives and led a program that brought more than 2,600 middle and high school students to the U.S. Naval Academy every year.
Danielle served in the Navy as a Surface Warfare Training Officer where she led the training and ensured the operational readiness of four guided missile destroyers. She directed the movement of air assets and surface ships during Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Danielle earned her undergraduate degree in Political Science from the Naval Academy and was a Division I track & field athlete.
Alli’s military mindset and background coupled with her business-function knowledge make her a key component of the Innovo Team. In her previous role as a Senior Outbound Production Manager at Marleylilly, she spearheaded an innovative overhaul of the entire fulfillment department. She introduced a robotics system into the company and improved overall fulfillment productivity and output by 35%. Through the use of 5S and lean business practices, she was able to save the company over $1M in materials and shipping costs. While operating at USNA, as an Officer in the Strategic Outreach department, Alli aided in developing the nationwide branding strategy and action items for the newly established department.
Allison is a detail-oriented leader who has proven her ability to see a problem, analyze the situation, and come up with a workable solution. She has done this both in her time in the U.S. Marine Corps and as a civilian. While in the Marines, she was put in a multitude of roles that she quickly learned and worked to improve processes within. She is constantly looking to improve herself and gain more knowledge to help her clients. She received her undergraduate degree from the United States Naval Academy with a BS in Political Science, while also competing as the captain of her Division I basketball team. Since then she attained her MBA in Project Management as well as her 5S certification.
Innovo Strategic Solutions, LLC
DUNS Number: 014891664
NAICS: 541611, 541612, 541613, 541618
