About

What will you do today
that your future self will celebrate?

You Aren’t the Problem

Nonprofit leaders are told it’s on them to figure it all out — raise the money, fix the board, juggle priorities, keep everything afloat. But the truth is: you aren’t the problem. The system is.

Broken rules, unrealistic expectations, and “best practices” that don’t fit your reality keep leaders stuck and burned out.

You don’t need another playbook. You need someone who will walk beside you, help you see what you can’t yet see, and guide you as you carve your own path forward.

The Renegade Philosophy

Renegades are not reckless. They’re bold enough to stop chasing what’s “right” and start acting on what’s real — the knowledge, experience, and perspective they have right now.

I believe success isn’t a finish line or a perfect result. Success is peace of mind born from intentional action — choosing your next step, learning from it, and building momentum.

That’s the heart of the Renegade Philosophy, and it’s how I help leaders and organizations thrive.

My Renegade Story

I’ve always been a Renegade, even before I had a name for it.

Like many, including nonprofit leaders, I used to believe success meant doing things the “right” way. But, like you,  I only knew what I knew — what I’d been taught, what I’d experienced, and what others had told me. The more I tried to play by those rules, the more I saw how fragile they were.

It wasn’t until the last decade that the concept of carving my own path based on what’s real became clear. I realized we can never know everything we need. We can’t control every outcome. But we can act intentionally, learn from those actions, and keep moving forward.

That’s why I built Advancement Designs and why I write, coach, and speak: to help nonprofit leaders step off the broken path and start carving their own.

Why Work With Me

I’m not your typical consultant dropping off binders and disappearing. And I’m not just a coach who leaves you with questions and no support.

I’m a partner. A guide. Like a tour guide on a challenging trail — I walk with you, point out the cracks you might not see, warn you of obstacles ahead, and make sure you don’t miss the opportunities along the way.

Change doesn’t happen in theory. It happens in action. That’s where I come in.

Credibility & Speaking

For more than 30 years, I’ve worked with nonprofit leaders and boards to clarify vision, strengthen teams, and raise the resources needed to thrive. I’ve facilitated strategic planning retreats, coached emerging leaders, and helped organizations unlock millions in new funding.

I speak at conferences, retreats, and trainings — and my book The Renegade Nonprofit (coming 2025) is a parable of transformation that challenges leaders to stop following broken rules and build what’s real.