Consulting & Facilitation
I have a decent bit of experience working with both formally & informally organized groups of people, from small after-school groups to serving on the board of a sizable statewide nonprofit organization. With over a decade of hands-on experience in a variety of board, staff, and volunteer roles in youth-serving groups of all shapes & sizes, combined with my work in software, IT, and project management, I've developed a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing nonprofits and the tools you can use to help overcome them. Whether you're looking to refine your org chart, scale your operations, or develop impactful programs, I'm here to help your nonprofit not just survive, but thrive. Let's work together to turn your vision into reality and maximize your impact on the communities you serve.
Leadership & Governance Development
Board Development | Governing Document & Policy Revision | Leadership Coaching
Effective leadership and strong governance are the cornerstones of successful nonprofits. I bring years of experience serving on and working with boards to help your organization build a solid foundation for growth and impact. From revitalizing your board to refining your policies, I'll guide you through the critical steps to enhance your leadership structure. My hands-on approach ensures your organization not only meets legal requirements but also operates with clarity and purpose. Whether you're a new nonprofit finding its footing or an established organization seeking to rejuvenate its leadership, I offer tailored solutions to elevate your governance practices and empower your leaders to drive meaningful change.
Organizational Strategy
Strategic Planning | Vision / Mission Refinement | Organizational Restructuring
Charting a clear course for your nonprofit is essential for long-term success. I bring a wealth of experience in strategic planning and organizational development to help you navigate the complex landscape of the nonprofit sector. Whether you're looking to refine your mission, develop a comprehensive strategic plan, or restructure your organization to meet new challenges, I offer expert guidance every step of the way. My collaborative approach ensures that your strategy isn't just a document that gathers dust, but a living roadmap that aligns your team, inspires your stakeholders, and drives measurable results. Together, we'll craft a vision that resonates, set achievable goals, and design the organizational structure needed to turn your aspirations into reality.
Operational Agility
Process Improvement | Technology Evaluation & Implementation | Information Access
In today's fast-paced world, nonprofits need to be nimble and efficient to maximize their impact. I've led organizations through significant growth, implementing systems and processes that streamline operations without losing sight of the mission. My approach to operational agility focuses on identifying bottlenecks, leveraging appropriate technology, and ensuring seamless information flow throughout your organization. From optimizing volunteer management to implementing user-friendly databases, I'll help you build an infrastructure that supports your goals. By enhancing your operational efficiency, we'll free up more of your resources to focus on what really matters - serving your community and advancing your cause.
My Background
I've served on the board of FIRST Indiana Robotics for 5 years, chairing the Program Support Committee for 2 years and serving as the Board Secretary for 3. During my board service with FIRST Indiana Robotics, I led a major bylaws / policy revision committee to help restructure our board as we started transitioning from being a solely working board to more of an advisory one, including implementing board member term limits and working with our staff & committee chairs to revise roles & responsibilities, was a part of our last Executive Director hiring committee and led the last Board Chair search committee, participated in 2 rounds of strategic planning, implemented our first formal board member onboarding process, and helped implement a variety of new tools & processes to improve communication & access to information for board members, staff, and volunteers. I also serve as something of an occasional informal executive coach to our former Executive Director who has moved to a similar role in another state.
I also serve as the de-facto Executive Director of Westside Robotics, the nonprofit that supports the FIRST teams in the West Lafayette school district. Under my leadership, the organization has tripled in size & scope - we currently have about 160 student participants and 50 engaged adult volunteers each year and operate with a budget of more than $100,000. As part of this work, I've led several restructuring processes as our organization has scaled up. I've also done plenty of board member support, development, & training to get the parents that serve as board members up to speed.
I also serve as an advisor for Purdue FIRST Programs, a student organization at Purdue that supports all of the FIRST teams & events in the area. I typically serve each year as a coach / mentor to the President, and make myself available to the rest of the leadership team as they conduct the business of their organization. I facilitated a round of strategic planning and vision / mission refinement for them a few years ago, and have advised them on a couple of bylaw / policy revisions as their group has evolved over the years.