Nonprofit Consulting Services

  • I believe strong board engagement can make or break a nonprofit. I work with boards and executive staff to develop meeting schedules, content, committee structures, commitment and accountability tools, and evaluation processes. My goal is to create systems that are sustainable and effective year after year.

  • Board members are responsible for evaluating executive leaders, but it’s often tricky to do well. I help organizations develop repeatable processes that provide useful, actionable feedback. My offerings range from simple surveys to fully managed evaluation processes, including coaching to support feedback implementation.

  • Hiring an executive director is one of a board’s most important responsibilities, yet it’s infrequent enough that processes are never developed. I provide a proven approach to ensure your organization identifies candidates with the right skills, values, and experience. Services range from guides for your team to complete the search up to turnkey search processes with top candidates presented.

  • A thorough search is so important but doesn’t always feel possible given transition timelines. I offer interim executive services to keep your organization steady during transitions. A good interim can help set your new leader up for success by implementing changes, establishing processes, and documenting current practices.

  • Being an Executive Director is tough and often lonely. Balancing long-term vision with daily operations, managing a board that oversees you, leading passionate staff, and navigating resource limitations, all while fundraising, can be overwhelming. I provide coaching to help leaders stay focused, model healthy boundaries, and leverage their board members’ talents for greater impact.

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Testimonials

  • “One of Lara’s standout strengths is her ability to learn the nuances of an organization quickly. She took the time to understand the organization’s systems, and she skillfully utilized the agency's databases and internal tools to streamline workflows and enhance access to information. Her attention to process improvement was evident in everything from documentation to communication practices, all of which contributed to a more cohesive and transparent work environment.”

    – Permanent Executive Director who took over after I served as Interim

  • “As you consider bringing Lara into your organization, I believe it’s important to know how fully she immerses herself in the mission, no matter the duration of her role. She doesn’t just keep the lights on; she strengthens the foundation, nurtures relationships, and leaves the organization in a better place than she found it.”

    – Permanent Executive Director who took over after I served as Interim

  • "I believe that one of Lara's strongest leadership traits is her ability to connect with people of all backgrounds and experiences and gain their trust. I would not hesitate for a second to put her in front of anyone - from the entry level to your top donors/advocates/legislators. She does not give off the polished corporate executive vibe. Instead, she is very authentic and her connectivity is endearing in such a way that she has the ability to draw out every ounce of time, talent, treasure and network someone has to offer, while making them feel good about it."

    - Former board chair of Dad’s Garage, who served while I was co-CEO

  • "I have served on about 7 boards with budgets ranging from $1M-20M. When I join a new board, I find myself asking: "How does this organization's systems and processes compare with my experience at Dad's Garage." Simply put, Lara sets the high water mark. Everything from organizational structure to document retention policies were implemented, entrenched into day-to-day ops, and revisited periodically. She was highly aware of and competent in operationalizing all of the key elements of a well run non-profit. I say all of this to help describe how well Lara can assess, create, implement and manage systems."

    - Former board chair of Dad’s Garage, who served while I was co-CEO

  • “Lara’s understanding of nonprofits, the what, is extensive but she also provides insights to the how. How to connect, form relationships and find creative ways to build those connections and relationships. Lara can give insight to the toll the role of leadership can have on individuals and speak to the work a leader needs to do to be able to find balance and support in the role. Lara creates a space of listening which is a valuable resource for leaders to have as it provides a judgement free space for ideas, concerns, and discussions.”

    - Non-profit leader