When I was a kid and people asked what I wanted to do with my life, I always answered, “To help people.” I eventually realized my role wasn’t to ‘help people’ in a top-down way, but to help people help people—by building and refining systems, removing barriers, supporting inclusive, community-informed decision-making, and backing those on the front lines.

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I went to law school intending to be a social justice lawyer and discovered that I loved helping people fight effectively for a just and equitable world. I worked at National ACLU strengthening capacity in affiliates nationwide by supporting their legislative and policy advocacy work. Over more than a decade at CUNY Law School, I mentored students committed to “law in the service of human needs.”

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I later returned to my home state of Montana to lead the ACLU of Montana, where I served for more than seven years. In that role, I hired and supported a growing team, strengthened governance, and focused deeply on building the financial systems and leadership capacity needed to sustain long-term impact, while working alongside impacted communities to help shape priorities and advocacy strategies. I also led a one-year turnaround of Mountain Home Montana, a nonprofit serving young mothers, guiding the organization through a severe financial crisis, stabilizing operations, and repositioning it for long-term sustainability.

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Across these roles, I’ve seen how often strong missions are undermined by financial uncertainty, misaligned expectations between boards and staff, or the absence of clear decision-making structures during moments of change. My work now focuses on helping boards and leaders navigate these moments—whether they are planning for growth, managing leadership transitions, facing financial strain, or preparing for high-stakes decisions that will shape the organization’s future. I help teams move forward with clarity, shared understanding, and inclusive participation.