Laying the Foundation 

After more than 15 years in the nonprofit sector, I’ve come to appreciate that growth often brings both opportunity and complexity. One moment that crystallized this for me was during my time previously working at the Speed Art Museum in Louisville. 

Prior to my time there, the museum had just completed a major capital campaign that significantly expanded its physical footprint and required closing to the public for several years. The transformation was remarkable—but reopening came with challenges we didn’t fully anticipate. Audiences didn’t return as quickly as anticipated, and the costs of programming, staffing, and operating a much larger facility exceeded previous capacity. 

Like many organizations coming out of a major transition, the museum needed to recalibrate—strategically and swiftly. That’s when Benefactor Group stepped in to conduct a development assessment and chart a new course forward. What struck me then—and continues to shape Benefactor Group’s work now—is how deeply these assessments are rooted in both listening and data. 

The Benefactor Group team engaged staff, board members, and donors in candid conversations, while also analyzing a wide range of data: fundraising performance, revenue trends, donor behavior, and benchmarking against peers. The result wasn’t just a report—it was a clear, actionable roadmap. One that outlined realistic strategies, timelines, a growth model, and recommendations for staff and volunteer structure. It helped us prioritize, focus, and move forward with clarity. 

When I joined the Speed Art Museum as Deputy Director of External Relations and Advancement shortly after the assessment, I had the rare opportunity to lead significant organizational change with a roadmap already in place. It aligned our ambition with practical next steps and gave our team the confidence to move forward. The results were tangible: we implemented new systems, added key roles, transitioned to an advancement model, and ultimately increased annual fundraising revenue by more than 50%. 

This experience was pivotal in my decision to transition into consulting, where I now lead Benefactor Group’s capacity building practice. With an MBA from Vanderbilt University, I was excited to combine the strategic rigor of my business education with my 15 years of nonprofit leadership experience to create a deeper impact. By blending both perspectives, I saw an opportunity to help organizations strengthen their organizations, their teams, and the communities they serve. Drawing on my firsthand experience of leading through growth and change, I know how challenging it can be when your infrastructure hasn’t yet caught up with your vision. Today, I have the privilege of advising nonprofit leaders, helping them navigate these challenges and build sustainable success. 

Growing Capacity, Growing Impact 

Capacity building work can take many forms: optimizing fundraising strategies, clarifying staff and volunteer roles and responsibilities, fostering a culture of philanthropy, or introducing data-driven reporting and processes. At its core, though, capacity building is about helping organizations strengthen the foundation they need to grow—and to do so in a way that’s sustainable, mission-aligned, and people-centered. 

For more than 25 years, Benefactor Group has helped nonprofit organizations build this kind of capacity, creating lasting impact across sectors and communities. I joined the firm at a pivotal moment, as we deepened our focus on supporting staff and boards—not just in major initiatives like strategic planning, executive transitions, and capital campaigns, but also in the day-to-day work that keeps organizations running effectively. 

Our approach is grounded in a deep understanding of where an organization stands today, paired with a clear and actionable roadmap for the future. That roadmap includes strategies, timelines, budgets, and structures—designed to help leaders maximize their impact and set the stage for long-term success. Strong organizations don’t happen by accident. They’re built through careful planning, collaboration, and a willingness to ask tough questions and make bold decisions. I feel fortunate to now support nonprofit leaders across the country who are doing this important work in service to their communities. 

Growth isn’t always comfortable—but with the right insights, strategy, and shared commitment, it can be truly transformational. 

If you’re thinking about your organization’s next chapter, we’d be glad to be a resource. Reach out to me at [email protected]—we’d love to hear where you are, where you’re headed, and how we might help.