Today we’d like to introduce you to Teresa Grandal Cusse.
Hi Teresa, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey has been an interesting one with several paths. My original path was going to be in psychology and not only did I get my Bachelor’s in Psychology but I have a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling as well. My intent was to have a private practice and work with young adults. Life had other plans.
My professional experience started in college where I worked in technology (hardware and software) and then in private K-12 education. While in graduate school, I worked in mental health space with children and adults. Unfortunately, when I graduated with my Master’s, I couldn’t find a job that was financially sustainable so I diverted and worked in the private sector in the payment processing and ATM space. I, then, went into local government, nonprofit sector, and academia.
These early experiences provided me with great understanding on how much impact can be created when the right resources meet the right vision. Over the years, I built deep expertise in grants, operations, and strategic planning, eventually leading the highest-producing community college grants office in the country. That experience taught me not only how to secure funding, but how systems, partnerships, and people must align for real, sustainable impact.
My diverse background led me to a position where I was the second employee hired to build the first center of innovation in South Florida, the Alan B. Levan | NSU Broward Center of Innovation. During my time at the Levan Center I led the administration and operations, including construction of the space, as well as the emerging tech initiatives.
Throughout my career, I saw a recurring challenge: incredible organizations, entrepreneurs, and innovators with bold ideas were struggling to access funding, navigate complex systems, or scale their impact. Too often, they were overwhelmed by red tape, lacked guidance, or didn’t have access to the right networks. I knew there had to be a better way.
I founded Grant-ify to help nonprofits, startups, and small businesses secure external funding and build smarter, more diversified funding strategies. What started as a leap of faith quickly became a full-scale operation, driven largely by word of mouth and results. Within months, Grant-ify became revenue-generating, validating both the need and the approach.
Soon after, I launched IMPACTIFI with my 2 co-founders, Camilo and John. IMPACTIFI is a company focused on helping growth-stage companies scale through internationalization, validation and access to emerging technologies, funding access, and ecosystem connectivity. IMPACTIFI was born from my belief that innovation doesn’t happen in silos — it happens when industries, governments, academia, and entrepreneurs come together with intention. Through this work, we’ve had the privilege of supporting companies entering the U.S. market, building global partnerships, developing workforce programs, and helping shape South Florida’s innovation ecosystem.
Today, I wear many hats — founder, strategist, speaker, ecosystem builder — but the common thread has always been impact. I’m motivated by helping others see what’s possible, simplifying complex processes, and creating pathways for growth that are inclusive, sustainable, and meaningful. Every step of the journey has reinforced that success isn’t just about what you build, but about who you empower along the way.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it definitely has not been a smooth role. Like most entrepreneurial journeys, mine has been filled with pivots, uncertainty, and moments where I had to make tough decisions without a clear roadmap.
One of the earliest challenges was realizing that the career path I had invested years of education in wasn’t financially sustainable at the time. Letting go of that vision was difficult, especially after earning a graduate degree, but it forced me to adapt and build skills in other sectors. Those pivots came with their own learning curves and, at times, self-doubt.
Professionally, one of the biggest ongoing challenges has been capacity. Building companies that are service-driven and impact-focused means demand can grow faster than resources. There were moments where I was balancing multiple roles at once—strategy, operations, delivery, business development—while still ensuring quality and integrity in the work. Learning when to say no, how to prioritize, and when to build systems instead of pushing harder was a hard but necessary lesson.
Another challenge has been navigating spaces where I was often one of the few women, and sometimes the only woman, at the table—particularly in technology, innovation, and leadership settings. Earning credibility, advocating for ideas, and setting boundaries required confidence and persistence, especially early on.
There were also personal challenges: the emotional weight of entrepreneurship, the pressure of being responsible for others, and the reality that success doesn’t happen overnight. What helped me push through was a clear sense of purpose and a strong support system.
Looking back, those struggles weren’t setbacks—they were building blocks. Each challenge sharpened my leadership, clarified my values, and reinforced why I do this work. The road hasn’t been smooth, but it’s been deeply meaningful.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Grant-ify and IMPACTIFI were both built to solve very real gaps I consistently saw across the nonprofit, startup, and business ecosystems.
Grant-ify specializes in helping nonprofits, startups, and small businesses secure external funding and build smart, diversified funding strategies. We don’t just focus on writing grants—we help organizations understand which opportunities make sense, how to position themselves competitively, and how to build the internal systems needed to sustain funding long-term. Grant-ify is known for being strategic, transparent, and results-driven, with an approach that prioritizes alignment and impact over volume. One of the things that truly sets us apart is that we don’t chase funding for the sake of it; we focus on opportunities that strengthen an organization’s mission and long-term viability.
IMPACTIFI works with growth-stage companies that are ready to scale. We specialize in internationalization, access to and validation of emerging technologies, funding access, and ecosystem connectivity. Our work often sits at the intersection of business growth, technology, workforce development, and economic development. IMPACTIFI is known for helping companies navigate complex ecosystems—whether that’s entering the U.S. market, expanding globally, engaging with government or institutional partners, or identifying the right technology and funding pathways to scale responsibly.
What truly differentiates both companies is that we operate as strategic partners, not transactional service providers. Our work is deeply rooted in ecosystem building—connecting clients to the right people, resources, and opportunities while helping them think holistically about growth and impact. We bring a unique blend of public-sector insight, private-sector execution, and innovation experience that allows us to bridge gaps others often overlook.
Brand-wise, what I’m most proud of is trust. Both Grant-ify and IMPACTIFI have grown largely through referrals, repeat clients, and long-term relationships. That speaks to the integrity of the work, the results we deliver, and the care we put into every engagement. We are intentional about who we work with, how we show up, and the impact we help create.
What I want readers to know is that both brands are built on the belief that growth doesn’t have to be chaotic, exclusive, or disconnected from purpose. Whether we’re helping an organization secure funding or supporting a company’s global expansion, our goal is always the same: to simplify complexity, unlock opportunity, and help our clients create meaningful, sustainable impact.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I haven’t had a traditional mentor in the formal sense, and for a long time I thought that was something I was missing. Over time, I realized that mentorship doesn’t always show up as one person guiding you—it often comes from a network of people who are willing to share perspective, challenge your thinking, and offer advice when you need it.
What has worked best for me is being intentional about building relationships with people who are smarter than me in different areas. I’ve learned to ask thoughtful questions, listen more than I speak, and be genuinely curious about others’ experiences. Instead of looking for one mentor, I’ve built a trusted circle I can tap into depending on the challenge—whether it’s operations, leadership, technology, funding, or strategy.
When it comes to networking, I focus on relationships, not transactions. Showing up consistently, following through, and being willing to help others without immediately expecting something in return has gone a long way. Some of the most meaningful connections I’ve made didn’t start with a clear goal—they grew organically through collaboration and mutual respect.
My advice to others is to stop putting pressure on finding “the perfect mentor.” Start by building authentic connections, asking for advice when you need it, and surrounding yourself with people who challenge you to grow. Over time, those relationships become your mentorship ecosystem.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.impactifiglobal.com or www.grant-ify.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wonder.terry5
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terry-grandal-cusse
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@IMPACTIFI
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company/impactifi
