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
From the desk of
Kimberley
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
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
Lead with Your Gut (and a Little Strategy)
How Values-Based Decision-Making Helps Nonprofit Leaders Stay Bold, Focused, and Effective Let’s be real: leading a nonprofit is not for the faint of heart. You’re constantly juggling mission, money, and
Leading with Perspective and Rule #6: Don’t Take Yourself So [Dang] Seriously!
If you’ve ever tried to parallel park in front of an audience or explain TikTok to your board members, you know what it feels like to be under pressure. But
The Hidden Costs of ‘Nice’: How Nonprofit Culture Can Undermine Impact
We pride ourselves on creating compassionate, mission-driven workplaces in the nonprofit sector. But inside many organizations, an underlying issue lurks behind closed boardroom doors: our culture of “niceness.” And it
Transforming Talent into Triumph: Mastering Your First 90 Days as a Leader
There’s a particular moment in the leader’s journey that challenges just about everyone I’ve ever met, and it can occur again and again if we don’t recognize the moment for