After more than two decades supporting nonprofits and military families, one thing has become very clear: my background in nonprofit leadership and advocacy makes me significantly more effective as an operations consultant.

Before becoming a consultant, I served as Operations Director for the Military Spouse Business Association and currently serve as Executive Director of the Society of Military Spouses in STEM. I also advocated for the passage of the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act. These experiences gave me a deep understanding of how mission-driven organizations actually function, including board dynamics, compliance requirements, policy development, and the real challenges leaders face when trying to build sustainable operations.

That perspective directly shapes the way I support my clients today. I don’t just create systems, I create systems that respect governance, compliance, and the practical realities of running an organization.

Here are a few real examples of how this background shows up in my consulting work:

Supporting First-Time Board Members

Many of the start-up nonprofits I work with have board members who are serving in this role for the first time. They’re passionate about the mission but often unsure of what their responsibilities actually are.

Because of my own experience leading nonprofits, I help organizations create clear role descriptions and basic governance practices so new board members understand where their role begins and ends. This is especially helpful in smaller organizations where board members may also be stepping into officer roles due to limited capacity.

Policies & Compliance

I’ve helped organizations develop and implement important internal policies, including conflict-of-interest policies and other documents commonly recommended for nonprofits. While I am not an attorney, I bring practical knowledge of what many organizations need in place to operate responsibly and maintain compliance. These policies often create smoother day-to-day operations and reduce unnecessary risk.

Tools That Support Growth

I’ve worked with nonprofits to implement tools like Givebutter, which combines donation processing, email and newsletter communication, donor tagging, and fundraising campaign management in one platform. Helping organizations choose and set up the right tools, rather than piecing together multiple systems, creates more organized and scalable operations as they grow.

My advocacy and nonprofit experience helps me see both the big picture and the operational details. That combination allows me to help clients build systems that are not only efficient, but also sustainable and aligned with their mission.

If you’re a nonprofit or mission-driven organization looking for practical operations support that also considers governance and compliance, I’d love to connect.

Originally published on LinkedIn on June 17, 2026. [Read it here]