Fundraising Strategy and Planning

Sustainable organizations need a fundraising strategy and plan to guide them. I bring strategic thinking to fundraising — helping organizations navigate where and how to pursue funds, and how to make the case for their work with clarity and conviction. I help organizations assess the funding landscape, identify and prioritize prospective funders, develop strategies for engaging and cultivating donors, and build a compelling case for support.

Strategic Development and Planning

Effective strategic planning affirm an organization’s mission, identifies priorities, builds genuine buy-in, and results in a plan that will guide an organization’s next chapter (not sit on a shelf!). I have led strategy development and planning processes as a chief program officer, executive director, and government official. With decades of experience, I guide conversations about where organizations are, where they want to go, and how they will get there – all in service of a useful plan that gives clear direction for the organization’s work.

Visibility and Voice

Organizations often need support in increasing their visibility and showcasing their expertise. I have led thought leadership functions, stewarded scholars and advisory boards at national organizations, and produced and published research and policy work throughout my career. I help organizations define their voice, build their profile in the field, and engage critical scholars, partners, and audiences. I also coach teams and individuals on making effective presentations, planning large-scale events, and moderating panels of high profile thought leaders.

Impact 

Organizations need to be able to understand and articulate the value of their work. During my career, I have conducted evaluations, translated research into practical tools for educators and policymakers, and, for more than a decade, led research and evaluation functions at large national organizations. I help organizations: understand the relationship between inputs and outcomes; ask the right research questions; develop logic models and theories of change; and think seriously, practically, and creatively about how to evaluate the impact of their work. 

Content and Curriculum Development

Good educational content is grounded in evidence, built for real teachers and learners in classrooms, and designed to be used. I have overseen content strategy and development at Facing History, where resources reach hundreds of thousands of teachers and millions of students globally, and led curriculum development at Jumpstart for tens of thousands of preschool children in marginalized communities. I help organizations develop strategies for educational content and professional development resources that are rigorous, practical, and well-designed.

Donor Engagement and Proposal Development

Strong funder relationships are built on trust and a clear and compelling case for the work they are being asked to support. I have cultivated and stewarded institutional, corporate, individual, state, and federal funders at multiple organizations. I help organizations develop strategies to strengthen funder relationships and design proposals that communicate strategy and impact with clarity and passion.

Board Engagement and Development

Boards are most effective when they understand their role, feel genuinely connected to the organization’s work, and have an authentic partnership with staff leadership. I have worked with governance and advisory boards throughout my career — at Facing History & Ourselves, Jumpstart, the Full-Service Schools Roundtable, and in state government. I help organizational staff and volunteer leadership strengthen board governance, deepen board engagement, and build productive board-staff relationships.

Leadership Development and Coaching

Leaders often need an experienced thought partner who can help them navigate a challenge or find ways to grow in their role. I have spent my career developing people at every level, from early-career staff to senior leaders, and see leadership development as essential to organizational health. I offer individualized support and mentoring at all leadership levels – from middle managers to executive leaders.

Organizational Culture and Team Effectiveness

Culture is shaped by decisions made every day — about how people are treated, how conflict is handled, how equity shows up in practice. I have led large, complex teams and know how to build environments where staff feel valued and the mission stays central. I work with organizations that want to take an honest look at their culture and make intentional changes that prioritize transparency, clear decision-making, and healthy team dynamics.

Change Management

Organizational change — whether in leadership, structure, strategy, or scope — demands transparency and deliberate communication. I have led change from multiple perspectives: launching new organizations and taking on never-before-held roles, leading major programmatic shifts at national nonprofits, and coordinating change across multiple state agencies. I help organizations build buy-in and navigate transitions with clarity and intention.

Facilitation

Good facilitation can generate fresh ideas and identify clear steps forward. I have three decades of experience facilitating strategy sessions, and driving conversations to constructive conclusions. I work with organizations to provide disciplined facilitation that leads to open, healthy dialogue and outcomes that move the work forward.