One of the great satisfactions of having an executive coaching practice and teaching it, is discovering where your experience, strengths, and sense of purpose intersect with the needs of the world.
For me, that intersection has always included coaching nonprofit leaders.
Nonprofit leaders carry a lot. They work with boards, donors, staff, volunteers, and community partners — all while communicating vision, building trust, and securing resources, often with limited time and support.
Appreciative Inquiry gives us a framework for exactly this kind of work — starting with strengths, asking better questions, and identifying what's already working and applying that to what may need to change. Because of my own background in nonprofit leadership and major donor development, I was naturally drawn to helping these leaders build the kind of strategic relationships that support both mission and sustainability.
Over time, that work became what I call the 360Win™ approach of building relationships — and eventually, my book: Your Nonprofit's 360Win: How to Build Relationships That Pay Off for Everyone.
The heart of it is simple: successful fundraising isn't just about the ask. It's about authentic relationships, shared purpose, and creating a win for everyone involved.
As senior faculty at College of Executive Coaching for the past 20 years, I've had the privilege of working with nonprofit leaders, as well as business leaders, across the US and globally alongside Dr. Jeffrey E. Auerbach, the College founder.
If you'd like to explore coaching together, I'd love to connect.