Developing Nonprofit Leaders Who Soar

Being a leader is hard work. For many nonprofit organizations, the challenge of identifying and developing leaders can feel overwhelming. With limited resources and time, it’s easy for leadership development to fall by the wayside. Instead, new managers find themselves in roles with little preparation, left to figure things out on their own. While they work hard and do their best, many are simply “learning on the fly,” a dynamic that is stressful for them and costly for the organization.

I created the Lead Boldly© Nonprofit Manager Development Experience because I believe it doesn’t have to be this way. Leaders shouldn’t just survive in their roles, they should soar. Especially in the nonprofit sector where critical community support work happens.

When managers thrive, so do their teams, their organizations, and the communities they serve.

Having worked with nonprofits of all sizes, I’ve seen how intentional leadership development transforms not just individual leaders, but team culture. I’ve also witnessed the profound impact that nonprofit managers have on their teams. These midlevel leaders are often the glue that holds everything together, and they often opt out of development to develop those who report to them. I wanted to create a program that bridges that gap, equipping nonprofit managers with the skills, confidence, and support they need to excel in leadership and service.

The Lead Boldly© Nonprofit Manager Development Experience is built around three critical leadership pillars: Know Yourself, Know Your Team, and Know Your Role. These pillars are the foundation of effective leadership, particularly in the nonprofit sector where managers are asked to wear many hats.

Know Yourself is about developing self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and resilience. These qualities are essential for any leader, but they are particularly vital for nonprofit managers who must navigate complex challenges with empathy and integrity. Through engaging discussions and reflective exercises, participants will deepen their understanding of their own leadership style and learn strategies for sustaining their personal well-being.

Know Your Team focuses on building positive relationships, fostering collaboration, and cultivating a culture of trust and respect. Nonprofit managers often work with diverse teams, including staff, volunteers, and board members, and these relationships can make or break their success. This pillar provides practical tools for leading with clarity and compassion, addressing conflict constructively, and motivating others toward shared goals.

Know Your Role emphasizes the unique responsibilities and opportunities of nonprofit management. From navigating limited resources to aligning team efforts with the organization’s mission, this pillar helps participants clarify their priorities and make strategic decisions that drive impact. Real-world case studies and problem-solving exercises ensure that participants leave each session with actionable insights they can apply immediately.

My hope for this program is that it becomes a transformative experience for both the participants and their organizations. By offering a cohort model, I’ve designed the Lead Boldly© Experience to foster cross-sector networking and peer learning. Participants will not only gain individualized coaching and create personalized career development plans, but they’ll also build connections with other nonprofit leaders who share their challenges and aspirations.

I want this program to be a catalyst for positive change. I envision participants returning to their organizations more confident, capable, and inspired to lead boldly. I also hope it will demonstrate to nonprofits that investing in their managers is one of the most strategic decisions they can make.

Strong leaders don’t just emerge by chance, they are developed through intentional effort and meaningful opportunities. The Lead Boldly© Nonprofit Development Experience is an affordable, accessible opportunity, and I can’t wait to see the impact it will have on those who join us in 2025.

Register here.