If you’re leading something that matters — and sensing it wants to evolve — I work alongside you to clarify the narrative, strengthen the system, and build the kind of steady, values-aligned leadership that can hold complexity without losing momentum.
PHILANTHROPY, EDUCATION, CIVICS, AND THE ARTS.
Lately …
An urban university in the PNW needed comprehensive campaign logic to build a $500 million campaign.
An urban university in the West needed donor and stakeholder research, and campaign and brand strategy to build a $750 million comprehensive campaign.
An organization that leads volunteer and service programs statewide needed a case for support, a three-year philanthropic fundraising plan, and an annual appeal strategy to supplement and sustain programs funded through at-risk federal dollars.
A large urban university needed website architecture, branding, and communications strategy for its alumni association.
A consulting partner needed website architecture, branding, strategy and messaging to differentiate itself from competitors and clarify its offering.
Social entrepreneurs and global nonprofit professionals sought 1:1 coaching support funded by a Silicon Valley foundation.
A candidate for U.S. Congress needed narrative strategy and messaging for a 16-week email campaign to mobilize volunteers, fundraising, and voters.
A statewide network of community foundations needed storytelling training for executive directors new to fundraising.
An edtech company needed 1:1 onboarding strategy and design to help students clarify their goals and maximize success in a fast-paced online learning environment.
About me.
I’m a strategist, writer, and coach who works with leaders, teams, and organizations. I like to align identity, structure, and expression so that organizations function with coherence. I began my career as a reporter for The Phoenix Business Journal, covering tourism, hospitality, and airlines. Then I returned to school for my MFA in creative writing and poetry from the University of Arizona. I’m trained as a coach and facilitator in many modalities, but my most comprehensive coach training is through the Co-Active Leadership Institute and CRR Global. My experience in philanthropy and nonprofits is a rare combination of breadth and depth. In addition to holding leadership positions in advancement at the University of Arizona Foundation and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas — where fundraising campaigns aspire to raise hundreds of millions to billions — I also worked for the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona, and served as executive director of two nonprofits that taught documentary and fine arts to all ages. Each had an annual operating budget under $1 million. As a writer, I publish a newsletter about nonprofit strategy, communications, and leadership, and I’m a contributor to Why Is This Interesting? Recent pieces include The Luxury Ice Cube Edition, The Archery Edition, and Why Is Sedona Interesting?
