Rethinking Board Leadership: A Call to Action from City & State’s Nonprofit OpCon
I had the distinct honor of moderating the Expansive and Innovative Board Opportunities panel at City & State’s Nonprofit OpCon—an energizing and deeply meaningful gathering of changemakers committed to reimagining the future of nonprofit leadership.
This wasn’t just a panel. It was a call to action.
Our conversation centered on how nonprofits can rethink the way they build, engage, and diversify their boards—shifting away from status-quo models and toward a more equitable, mission-aligned, and innovative future. I was proud to help lead a dynamic dialogue that sparked new thinking and challenged long-held assumptions, engaging a room full of passionate nonprofit professionals ready to do the work.
Key Takeaways for Nonprofits:
Look beyond traditional circles: Some of your most transformative board members may not come from legacy institutions or expected pipelines. They may be innovators in tech, artists driving cultural change, or entrepreneurs solving real-world problems.
Center lived experience as strategy, not symbolism: When people with lived experience lead, we move beyond diversity checkboxes and into authentic, systems-changing leadership.
Purpose over prestige: Now more than ever, mission alignment matters. The most effective board members are those who are deeply connected to your cause—not just well-connected in name.
Invest in education and empowerment: A board member is only as effective as they are equipped. Ongoing onboarding, training, and learning opportunities are essential for ensuring all members can serve with confidence and clarity.
I’m grateful to City & State for creating space for these vital conversations and to panelists like Maire O'Malley, Neela Mukherjee Lockel, MSW-MPA (she/her), and Bonnie Kornberg for sharing their wisdom and passion.
As we look to the future, let’s commit to building boards that reflect the communities we serve and the equitable futures we envision. Nonprofit leadership thrives when we lead with imagination, inclusion, and intentionality.
Let’s keep pushing forward—together.
#NonprofitLeadership #BoardGovernance #CityAndState #InnovationInService #MissionDriven #SocialImpact #LeadershipMatters
