Did you know I host a podcast called Smart Nonprofit Mastermind?

News to me, too.

Recently, someone reached out to ask about being a guest on my show. I was confused—until she explained that ChatGPT had recommended me (and my totally nonexistent podcast!) as a place she could pitch herself.

Last week marked three years of making LaFemina & Co. my full-time gig.

When I was an in-house nonprofit executive, I created something with my team called Shine Time.

Fashioned after BJ Fogg’s concept of cultivating “shine” – an internal feeling of accomplishment that fuels new habits and growth – Shine Time was our chance to:

• Celebrate progress we were proud of (big or small, professional or personal), and

• Share some shine, in the form of gratitude, for others.

In conversations about nonprofit innovation and impact, there’s a lot of talk about the importance of speed and scale.

But what rarely gets mentioned?

Stamina.

Specifically, executive stamina.

And that’s a problem—because stamina has an outsized impact on whether new ideas and innovations actually become new ways of working within organizations.

If you’re like me, you’ve probably hired some amazing consultants… and also a few whose help just wasn’t all that helpful.

The truth is, the past few years have brought significant innovation in how consulting services can be delivered. There are new approaches and solutions out there—and as a nonprofit leader, you deserve to know about them.

If you’re new to nonprofit consulting—or entering a new phase in your consulting work—you don’t have to figure it out alone.

As an entrepreneur, community has been essential for me: developing meaningful relationships, building my business, and cultivating joy in this work.

If you’re feeling isolated, unsure, or missing the connection that comes from collaborating with trusted colleagues, know this: there is community out there for you. And it’s worth investing in.

Want to know one of the most overlooked—and costly—pain points in nonprofit life?

It’s how decisions are made, delegated, and communicated.

Whether you’re an established nonprofit with hundreds of employees or a growing organization just bringing on new team members, decision-making touches every area of your work. And it’s eating up more time and energy than you may realize.

Strategic planning season is here — but is your plan truly strategic?
Before jumping into your next nonprofit planning process, make sure you're not just checking a box. Discover 5 often-overlooked essentials that will help you clarify priorities, align resources, and lead with intention.

If you’re dealing with a challenging professional relationship that’s sucking up your time and energy, here’s a practical tool that can help.

 Each time I begin working with a new coaching client through our Practical Leadership Advisory services, I make sure to cover this important truth upfront:

• We can’t control other people’s behavior,

• But we can control how we process and respond to it.

If you’ve been in nonprofit leadership for any amount of time, you’ve run into plenty of interpersonal challenges. These situations are stressful – and they can bring up big emotions like frustration, anger, hopelessness, and even despair.

Here’s something I first discovered as a parent of young kids that has helped me – and so many of my clients and colleagues – better manage these situations.

Strategic clarity starts with reflection.
In a fast-paced nonprofit world, it takes intention and collaboration to pause, ask questions, and uncover the insights that move your mission forward.

Strategy is a bet. When nonprofits try to do everything, the real cost is often your team. Strategy means making tough calls and choosing to focus can be the most compassionate decision you make as a leader.