Latest News
From Oversight to Foresight: The Future of Nonprofit Board Leadership
By 2035, nonprofit Board governance will look very different than it does today. Some of those changes are already underway. Others are just beginning to emerge. But one thing feels increasingly clear: the future nonprofit Board will not simply be a smaller version of the Boards we have now. It will require a fundamentally different mindset, different structures, and different expectations of leadership.
At the same time, it is important to recognize that many healthy, high-performing Boards are already modeling these practices today. While this article looks ahead to 2035, some organizations are already embracing more adaptive, strategic, and future-focused governance approaches right now. In many ways, the future of governance has already started.
For years, many nonprofit Boards have operated with traditions that were built for a slower-moving environment. Thick Board packets. Heavy committee structures. Long discussions focused on operational details rather than strategic leadership. In many organizations, Board service has often centered more on oversight and fiduciary responsibility than on adaptability, innovation, or community relevance.
That model is becoming less sustainable.
Nonprofit organizations today face an environment shaped by rapid technological change, increased donor expectations, workforce shifts, economic uncertainty, and rising demands for measurable impact. Communities expect organizations to respond faster. Funders want clearer evidence of outcomes. Staff leaders need Boards that can think strategically and act with agility rather than simply approve reports and review minutes.
The healthiest Boards of the future will not just govern organizations. They will help organizations navigate complexity.
One of the biggest shifts we will see is the move from transactional governance to generative governance. In other words, Boards will spend less time asking, “Did we follow the process?” and more time asking, “What future are we preparing for?”
That distinction matters.
Traditional governance is still essential. Fiduciary duties of care, loyalty, and obedience will always matter. Financial oversight will always matter. Legal compliance will always matter. But by 2035, high-performing Boards will recognize that governance is no longer just about protecting the organization from risk. It is also about helping organizations identify opportunity.
In fact, some of the strongest Boards today are already dedicating more meeting time to strategic discussion, generative thinking, and long-term planning rather than simply reviewing reports. They are creating agendas that prioritize mission impact, organizational resilience, and future readiness.
Boards will increasingly engage in strategic foresight conversations. They will spend more time discussing demographic changes, emerging technologies, volunteer engagement trends, public trust, cybersecurity, and shifting community needs. Scenario planning may become a standard governance practice rather than an occasional retreat exercise.
Artificial intelligence will also reshape governance in ways we are only beginning to understand. By 2035, many Board members will likely receive AI-generated dashboards that summarize financial trends, predict fundraising patterns, flag operational risks, and even identify potential governance blind spots before meetings occur.
Ironically, as technology becomes more sophisticated, the human side of governance may become even more important.
The Boards that thrive will be the ones that maintain authentic relationships, healthy culture, thoughtful judgment, and mission-centered decision making. AI may help summarize information, but it cannot replace wisdom, empathy, or values-based leadership.
We will also likely see significant changes in Board composition and recruitment.
Historically, many nonprofit Boards have recruited members primarily based on influence, wealth, professional status, or community visibility. While those qualities may still have value, the future Board will need a much broader range of perspectives and lived experiences.
Many organizations are already beginning to rethink how they recruit and engage Board members. Some are shifting away from “who do we know?” toward “what perspectives and competencies do we need around the table?” That evolution will likely continue over the next decade.
Board service itself may also become more flexible.
Many nonprofits still expect volunteers to commit to multi-year terms, monthly meetings, multiple committees, and extensive time demands. That model can unintentionally limit participation from younger professionals, working parents, and community leaders with demanding schedules.
Future Boards may move toward more modular engagement structures. Shorter terms. Project-based task forces. Virtual governance participation. Skills-based advisory councils. Hybrid committee models. Organizations that adapt governance structures to modern volunteer realities will likely have a much easier time attracting talented leaders.
Another major shift will involve the relationship between Boards and CEOs.
Historically, some Boards have viewed governance through a lens of oversight and control. But by 2035, the strongest Board-CEO partnerships will likely operate with far greater clarity around roles, trust, and shared leadership. Healthy governance will require strong accountability while also creating space for innovation and executive leadership.
Boards that micromanage may increasingly struggle to retain talented CEOs. On the other hand, Boards that disengage entirely will also create organizational risk. The future will require balance.
Perhaps most importantly, nonprofit governance in 2035 will require courage.
Courage to ask difficult questions.
Courage to rethink outdated traditions.
Courage to confront inequities.
Courage to adapt before crisis forces change.
And courage to lead organizations through uncertainty without losing sight of mission and values.
The nonprofit sector has always existed to meet human needs and strengthen communities. That mission will not change. But the environment surrounding nonprofits absolutely will.
The future Board will not succeed simply because it has good intentions. It will succeed because it is informed, adaptive, strategic, inclusive, and willing to evolve.
And while 2035 may feel far away, some of the most effective nonprofit Boards are already demonstrating what this future can look like. They are embracing strategic governance, investing in Board culture, engaging in generative conversations, and leading with adaptability rather than tradition alone.
In many ways, the future of nonprofit governance is not really about technology, structures, or trends. It is about whether Boards are willing to become the kind of leadership bodies that the future will require.
The organizations that embrace that challenge now will likely be the ones best positioned to thrive in 2035 and beyond.
If your Board is ready to embrace its future, reach out to Nielsen Training and Consulting. Whether it is a conference presentation, an engaging Board retreat, or an impactful keynote, let’s equip your Board to succeed now and in the future.
Ethics in Nonprofit Governance: Upholding Integrity and Accountability
🌟 Just wrapped up leading a session on "Ethics in Nonprofit Governance: Upholding Integrity and Accountability"— a timely and important conversation on how nonprofit leaders can build trust, ensure transparency, and navigate ethical challenges with integrity.
Grateful to have partnered with the Federal Bar Association and myLawCLE to bring this session to life. It's always an honor to engage with legal and nonprofit professionals who are committed to doing good—ethically and effectively.
Institute for Transformational Nonprofit Leadership
This spring I am pleased to be leading a session on strategic planning as part of the Institute for Transformational Nonprofit Leadership. This executive training program is intended for current CEO/Executive Directors, Executive Leadership team members and those emerging leaders who hope to become a CEO in the future. This program includes seven courses taught by nationally recognized nonprofit leadership executives, coaches, authors, and search consultants virtually over a three-month period in the Fall and Spring. Click below to learn more and register!
Board Champions: Woody Williams Foundation
The Woody Williams Foundation honors the life and legacy of its namesake — a Medal of Honor recipient — by recognizing and serving Gold Star Families and the legacy of their Loved Ones who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. It was my great honor and privilege to again work with this outstanding organization in facilitating meetings with their Board of Directors. The impact of the Foundation’s work helps to raise public awareness about Gold Star Families’ enduring sacrifice and the ultimate sacrifice made by their Loved Ones.
NTCA Conference
Thoroughly enjoyed speaking this week at the Summer Symposium of NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association. I enjoyed meeting and interacting with so many talented leaders while speaking on Principles in Board Governance as well as Strategic Planning for Boards. NTCA is building a better broadband future for rural America. NTCA’s members build and deliver broadband connectivity and operate essential services in rural and small-town communities across the U.S.
Changing Lives Coalition Strategic Planning Retreat
A strategic plan serves as a roadmap to enable an organization to set priorities and measure progress. Honored to visit Artesia, New Mexico this week to facilitate a multi-day strategic planning retreat with the amazing team from Changing Lives Coalition. CLC provides youth resources to believe in themselves and a safe space to make empowering decisions.
Warmshowers Strategy Retreat
The bold goals and strategies you establish for your nonprofit are not meant to sit on a shelf, but rather can only be achieved by reviewing, reflecting on, and refining them regularly. Honored to continue our work with Warmshowers by facilitating their Board Strategy Retreat. Warmshowers is a community of touring cyclists and those that support them. Their platform provides the technology for reciprocal hospitality for cyclists and hosts across the globe! So excited to see the continued growth of this outstanding organization.
Institute for Transformational Nonprofit Leadership Certificate
Leading a nonprofit organization is not only about what you know, but more importantly the ability to bring people together, elevate the voice of the community you serve, and learn with and from others. This fall, I am pleased to be leading a session as part of the inaugural Institute for Transformational Nonprofit Leadership Certificate through DCM Associates — a program that provides nonprofit leaders with the opportunity to develop these skills while connecting with a cohort of fellow leaders.
This program includes seven courses taught by nationally recognized nonprofit leadership executives, coaches, authors, and search consultants virtually over a three-month period in the Fall and Spring.
Each of the seven courses have two components: a one-hour recorded session that you can take at your own convenience from your office, home or mobile app, and a live interactive 90 minute session scheduled by each presenter enabling ample time to address each of the discussed topics discussed and answer any and all questions you may have.
Click below to learn more!
Nonprofit Vision Podcast
Nonprofit leadership is exhilarating, occasionally frustrating, and sometimes frighteningly lonely. The good news is you are not alone. The Nonprofit Vision podcast is your opportunity to hear from other nonprofit leaders, consultants, and others about topics that matter to you. Is there a topic you want to hear more about? Let us know! Join our online community, participate in the conversation, and subscribe to our Nonprofit Vision podcast on your favorite podcast platform.
Board Champions Assessment With Child Care Associates
Boards are not able to set priorities or address challenges unless they first have a mechanism for identifying them. By providing Board members an opportunity to hold a mirror up to their own performance, a Board Assessment provides a safe and effective means of identifying priority areas and surfacing challenges effectively. Enjoyed spending the day with the talented and committed Board of Child Care Associates facilitating their Board Champions Assessment TM and discussion.
For more information on Board Assessments, please click on our recent article linked below. If you would like to discuss our Board Champions Assessment TM for your Board, let’s connect!
Listening to Learn with Eastern Area Community Ministries
“That was so much fun! We should do that more often!”
EACM Staff Member
Listening to learn from those who are closest to communities served is vital to thoughtful strategic planning. Thoroughly enjoyed spending the afternoon with the staff of Eastern Area Community Ministries yesterday gathering their perspective as part of our strategic planning process. EACM serves families in Eastern Jefferson County, Kentucky who are experiencing a crisis or facing urgent needs. EACM provides emergency assistance with utilities and rent, access to a food pantry, and programming to empower and build self-reliance.
Growing Together: Board Retreats that Build Trust and Elevate Performance
A highly effective nonprofit Board grows together as a team when they unite behind a mission and a bold, audacious vision. An integral part of that growth is the opportunity to step back from the regular business of Board meetings to allow for reflection, evaluation, and critical discussions. When planned thoughtfully and executed well, a Board retreat can be a vital tool that builds trust and strengthens relationships among Board members, while helping to ensure that the Board team is positioned to govern effectively. A retreat may also allow a divided Board to address conflict or pull together to address a critical issue. Here are a few brief tips to make your next Board retreat a success:
Clearly articulate and build consensus among Board leaders as to the "why" of the retreat.
Focus on 1 or 2 objectives; avoid trying to tackle everything in one retreat.
Work with an external facilitator you trust to craft an agenda that addresses the objectives while still allowing time for Board members to socialize and build relationships.
Document key points of discussion and commitments for follow-up
Consciously seek opportunities to inspire the Board team and reconnect to the mission
Have you had a particularly moving or impactful experience at a Board retreat? We'd love to hear about it. If you would like to discuss creating a creating an engaging and inspiring retreat for your Board team, let's talk!
Finding Your North Star Tm Through Strategic Planning
Strategic planning doesn’t have to be a drag, unduly burdensome, or excessively complex. A strategic plan serves as a roadmap to enable an organization to set priorities and measure progress. It informs the direction of the organization, generates heightened engagement and ownership of the mission, and inspires staff, board, volunteers, and the community to envision bold possibilities. Enjoyed discussing a healthy, evidenced-based, and exciting approach to strategic planning on yesterday’s webinar hosted by DCM Associates.
Keela Panel Discussion: The Secret to Successful Nonprofit Leadership
Excited to join a talented panel tomorrow for a free discussion-style event sponsored by Keela entitled “The Secret to Successful Nonprofit Leadership.” Fellow panelists Sabrina Walker Hernandez, Sean Kosofsky, and I will discuss how nonprofit leaders can improve their decision-making skills, navigate current challenges and set themselves up for long-term success. This session is an excellent opportunity to get answers to any questions you have about board fundraising, imposter syndrome, decision-making, compliance, or any specific nonprofit leadership issues. Click below to register for free and hope to see you tomorrow!
Strategic Planning With Harbor House
A strategic plan serves as a roadmap to enable an organization to set priorities and measure progress. It informs the direction of the organization, generates heightened engagement and ownership of the mission, and inspires staff, board, volunteers, and the community to envision bold possibilities.
Enjoyed a fantastic first strategic planning session with the team from Harbor House. The mission of Harbor House is to empower individuals with disabilities and their families to lead fulfilled and productive lives.
Strategic Planning with Harbor House
Strategic planning enables nonprofits to marry bold vision, compelling opportunity, and thoughtful planning into a roadmap that will guide the organization towards mission success. Honored that Harbor House has partnered with us to facilitate their strategic planning process, which we kicked off last night. Harbor House is where love, hope, and empowerment are interwoven, as this dynamic team empowers Individuals with disabilities and their families to lead fulfilled and productive lives.
Gratitude for 2021, Excitement for 2022
From Board retreats to strategic planning and conference keynotes to coaching, we are grateful for the memories and relationships of 2021. NTC was privileged to work with organizations in more than 13 different States last year, and we continue to be awed by the leadership of nonprofits and honored by those who have chosen us as their partner. We are excited by the opportunities and challenges ahead in 2022 and ready to hit the ground running!
Case Studies in Leadership and Adult Development
Excited to share the publication of Case Studies in Leadership and Adult Development, in which I co-authored a chapter with friend and colleague Dr. Denise Cumberland, Ph.D. Our chapter is entitled “Helping a Nonprofit CEO Pivot Her Leadership Style.” Special thanks to editors Kristina LaVenia and Judy Jackson May. You can check out the book on Amazon by clicking the button below.
Guest Speaking: University of Cincinnati
Thoroughly enjoyed speaking yesterday on nonprofit leadership and my leadership journey at University of Cincinnati. Great questions and loved the discussion. Thank you Dr. Megan Church Nally, PhD for the invitation!
Blue Ridge Institute - Lead With Your Values
How connected do you feel to the core values of your nonprofit? Values-based leadership is a way of leading in which core values play a central and explicit role in everyday decisions, goals and actions. Enjoyed leading a highly interactive session entitled Lead With Your Values yesterday at the Blue Ridge Institute annual conference. Such an outstanding group of leaders!