Stop Chasing Zeros
Hey Changemakers, I want to talk about a specific slide. You’ve seen it. I’ve seen it. Heck, I’ve made it. It’s the hockey stick graph. That beautiful swoop of growth,
From the desk of
Kimberley
The CIA called. They wrote your agenda.
Hey Changemakers, My Pop could be the funniest person in any room, which made him either a great dinner guest or a terrifying spy trainer. He was both. He taught
Is Your Strategic Plan Just Theater?
Hey Changemakers, A few weeks ago, I was prepping for a strategy session and caught myself spending way too long thinking about the room setup. The chairs. The snacks. Whether
What Does It Feel Like When You Change Your Mind?
February has a way of telling the truth. The adrenaline of January has worn off. Plans are set. Meetings are happening. And patterns you hoped might change on their own
Build Your Construction Trailer: Why 2026 Isn’t About Getting Bigger
Happy New Year, friends! I hope you’re stepping into 2026 well-fed, well-rested, and maybe even a little hopeful. But let’s be honest: The start to the new year doesn’t just
When Giants Stumble: Catching Decline Before It’s Too Late
Hey changemakers, Remember last month when I asked whether you might be part of the reason the board’s performance isn’t where it needs to be? Harsh, yes—and also the question
Are You Inspiring Your Board to Lead?
A few weeks back, I was coaching a seasoned CEO. She was frustrated, her head in her hands. Another board sub-committee started strong, then dropped the ball. Now, at the 11th
Avoiding Bold Choices Isn’t “Careful”—It’s Costly
Let’s talk about risk. Not the dramatic cliff-diving kind—the quiet, everyday boardroom variety that decides whether your organization thrives, stalls out, or just fades away. Plot twist: playing it too
Why Your Job is to Distress People (Thoughtfully)
Hey changemakers, I’m about to tell you something that might make you squirm a little. Ready? “Managing change is about upsetting people only at a rate that they can tolerate.”
The Courage to Hope: Leading Past the Safety of Cynicism
In a recent meeting where board members and the CEO were grappling with an array of challenging issues, the conversation took a turn. Tensions were running high, and time was
Protecting the Core: Navigating Turbulent Waters
Friends, We find ourselves in a time of significant transition and challenge for the nonprofit sector. Leadership today means navigating a landscape of policy shifts, funding uncertainties, and rapid changes
We All Need Assisted Living: Interdependence and the Powerhouse of Governance
My 89-year-old mom—a force of nature who’s never met a challenge she couldn’t tackle solo—recently looked at me and said something I never thought I’d hear: “I might need some