Devan Consulting, a thriving Asheville-based firm, has carved out a niche in Western North Carolina by providing financial, accounting, human resources, and IT services to nonprofits and small businesses. Central to the company’s success is its strong connection with Montreat College, a relationship that has brought in talented, mission-driven graduates who align perfectly with Devan Consulting’s values.
Rhonda Devan, a CPA and the founder of Devan Consulting, has deep ties to Montreat College. In 2007, she moved to the Asheville area as the college’s CFO. Following a four-year stint in that role, she transitioned to positions at two community colleges before taking a leap of faith to start her own consulting firm.
“What we provide is an outsourced solution to nonprofits,” said Devan, who received her bachelor’s degree from Roberts Wesleyan University in upstate New York before earning master’s and post-master degrees at SUNY Brockport. “A lot of nonprofits have tight budgets and typically are really tight on resources. What we provide is an array of expertise, experience, and work for a price that they probably would pay for just one employee who may only have a limited skill set. It’s consulting, but it’s really a partnership with them to help them thrive as a nonprofit.”
Devan’s twin daughters, Ashley Kayembe and Jordan Sosa, work alongside her in building the firm. In her work, Sosa blends her ministry degree from Montreat with a master’s in accounting from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. As a parent, Devan is grateful for Sosa’s experiences at Montreat.
“It was just incredible to watch her grow while she was there,” she expressed. “She wanted to be a missionary, but she wasn’t able to go to China after she graduated when COVID hit. She started working with me, and she really enjoyed it. She feels like she is still in ministry because we’re working with nonprofits and other Christian organizations, so I feel like she carries that service attitude that she learned at Montreat.”
Devan Consulting’s team of ten includes several Montreat College alumni, who each contribute unique skills to strengthen the firm’s reputation. Ashley is married to Jonathan Kayembe, a Montreat graduate who volunteers IT support for the firm. Other Montreat graduates on the team include Perry Goeders, who handles accounting services, and Cassidy O’Brien, a digital marketing specialist.
“Montreat College graduates are not only smart with the technical side, but more importantly, they have high emotional intelligence, and they’re well rounded when dealing with clients and with each other as a team,” explained Devan. “I just love how they put people first, even when stressed or under tight deadlines. They are humble, and the way they care for the clients is definitely evident in the character they formed while at Montreat.”
The firm’s approach to hiring is organic and relationship driven. For example, Devan learned about their current accounting intern, Rochen Blaaw, during a conversation with a friend at Montreat College’s Keystone Scholarship Dinner. Following his internship this fall, she hopes to hire him full-time upon his graduation in December.
“What we’re looking for is someone who can work on a team that’s motivated to stay organized and focused remotely,” Devan said. “I’m such a big proponent of Christian education. I’m a product of it, and it really is needed in the world because a lot of what we do comes down to trust and ethics and putting people first. We feel we can teach the technical stuff along the way. It’s really about being a solid person—character-wise and ethically wise—and being able to build relationships and trust with clients.”
As an employer, Devan appreciates that Montreat College fosters the spiritual growth of students alongside their career preparation.
“For all the Montreat graduates that have worked for me, what they learned there contributed to their success,” she noted. “It’s really just being open to where God is leading you as you mature as an adult. It’s about gaining and honing in on the opportunity to learn while you’re there. It’s really going to shape who you’re going to become when you graduate from Montreat.”
As Devan Consulting continues to grow, Rhonda remains committed to creating a positive work environment where employees can thrive both professionally and personally, while delivering exceptional services to nonprofits. Her vision extends beyond building a successful business to cultivating a community where team members find meaning in their work and live out their faith in tangible ways. With Montreat College graduates playing key roles, the firm continues to strive to make a meaningful impact on the lives of their clients and community.
“With our firm, we’re trying to build it to attract young people so they will have a meaningful job but also be able to live the balanced life that God intends us all to live,” she emphasized. “When we meet each week, we pray for our organizations, and we talk about what organizations we are passionate about and want to serve in ministry through our firm. I feel God’s hand in it, and it’s amazing how he’s been working through all of us.”
