Before Pinnacle was a consulting firm, it was a lived experience. Every person on our team has sat in a church board meeting, navigated a congregational transition, wrestled with a facility decision, or led a congregation through a financial decision. We don’t study congregations from the outside, we've been part of them for decades.
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Derek Henson Founder | Lead Consultant
Derek Henson founded Pinnacle Services and leads the firm's work with mainline Protestant congregations. He brings twenty years of experience serving churches as minister, staff member, and lay leader across traditions from Pentecostal to mainline Protestant, giving him insight into how different churches approach stewardship, governance, and change.
Derek's path has included roles with Partners for Sacred Places and congregations of varying sizes, polities, and contexts, giving him hands-on experience in facilities management, capital planning, community engagement, and fundraising. That path taught him that every congregation carries its own history, structure, and sense of call, and that his role is to ask the right questions, not to arrive with prescribed answers.
Derek holds a BA from the University of Valley Forge, an MA in Theology and Ministry from Brite Divinity School, and a certificate in nonprofit management. He believes strategy and faith can't be pulled apart, and that congregations deserve honest clarity about what's actually possible, without losing sight of who they're called to be.
Derek is also the creator of Foundation360, Pinnacle's congregational health assessment. Congregations often believe they already know what they need, when in fact an unseen barrier is standing between them and the outcome they're after. Foundation360 was built to surface that barrier so congregations can move forward with clarity instead of guesswork.
Derek returned to rural western Maryland in 2024, where his ancestors have lived for generations. Locally, he's involved in historic preservation organizations, and values the area's easy access to the outdoors alongside its proximity to the Washington, DC metro area. His work is shaped by a commitment to helping congregations build the beloved community they're called to create.
John Thomas Partner | Operations Advisor
John Thomas brings a unique blend of legal expertise and ministry experience to his work with Pinnacle. He began his career as a licensed local pastor in the United Methodist Church before pursuing law school and becoming a licensed attorney. John practiced at a mid-sized law firm and most recently served as a regulatory compliance consultant for a major financial services firm. This distinctive combination of legal acumen and congregational leadership experience enables him to deliver exceptional consulting services while maintaining deep insight into the specific needs of churches and nonprofit organizations.
John earned his Bachelor of Arts from Texas Christian University, Master of Divinity from Brite Divinity School, and Juris Doctor from Texas A&M School of Law. He is licensed to practice law in Texas.
When not working with Pinnacle clients, John enjoys time with his spouse and son, pursues his passion for golf (albeit poorly), makes it a point to watch every Oscar-nominated film each year, and continues developing his expertise as a Level I Sommelier.
Barbara Dunlap Consultant | Women's Advocacy Advisor
Barbara Dunlap is an ordained United Methodist Deacon and the founder of Sacred Worth Ministries. Before founding Sacred Worth Ministries, she served as an associate minister in the United Methodist Church. She is a graduate of Brite Divinity School and Texas Christian University.
As a consultant with Pinnacle Services, Barbara walks congregations through Foundation360 assessments and implementation. Her experience in congregational digital ministry helps churches integrate their online presence with traditional on-site programs.
Barbara also brings essential perspective to Pinnacle's work with women serving in church leadership - as clergy, administrators, lay leaders, and volunteers. In traditions where women are called and ordained, we believe they deserve colleagues who understand their experience and can advocate for equity. Barbara ensures that lens shapes our consulting, resources, and training.
Barbara's call to ministry began with the question, "What would the world look like if women and girls were seen as children of God with sacred worth?" That question continues to guide her work.
Ashley Mallette Consultant | HR & Congregational Staffing Advisor
Ashley Mallette brings extensive experience in organizational leadership and executive coaching to her consulting work, partnering with client organizations including nonprofits and faith-based institutions on a wide range of people-related initiatives. She has a proven track record of strengthening organizational effectiveness, productivity, and employee engagement through strategic partnership, performance management, conflict resolution, and talent development.
Much of Ashley's career has been spent serving mission-driven and nonprofit organizations, including a period of ministry experience in a New England congregation which gave her direct insight into the people challenges congregations face, from staff and volunteer dynamics to the balance between pastoral care and organizational health.
As a consultant with Pinnacle Services, Ashley oversees our Human Resources Shared Ministry offering, walking alongside congregations large and small through questions of structure, staffing, and how people are cared for as they serve. As part of the broader Pinnacle team, she also brings that same skillset and experience to engagements wherever it's needed, helping congregations navigate change while nurturing a healthy, inclusive culture.
Ashley holds a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Organizational Leadership, a Master's in Public Administration, an Executive Program Certificate in Women in Leadership, and an Executive Coaching Certificate.