Made for More

Leadership has a way of introducing you to pressure you never asked for, problems you did not create, and obstacles that often feel impossible to overcome. Throughout my career, I have faced extreme leadership challenges—moments when the room was tense, the path forward was unclear, and the weight of responsibility felt heavier than what one person should have to carry. There were times when the issues in front of me looked insurmountable. There were moments when emotions were high, opinions...

Greatness is one of those words that means something different depending on who you ask. For some, greatness is fame. For others, it is money, influence, power, or recognition. Some define greatness by titles, degrees, possessions, or the number of people who know their name. But for me, greatness has never been something I witnessed someone stumble into during a simple nine-to-five life. Now let me be clear: there is absolutely nothing wrong with working a nine-to-five job. There is honor in...

Authentic personal growth is not just about becoming better. It is about becoming more honest, more grounded, and more disciplined about who and what gets access to your life. Growth requires courage, but it also requires protection. You cannot become your truest self while constantly giving everyone equal access to your thoughts, your energy, your dreams, and your peace. For as long as I can remember, I have taught my sons to protect their circle of influence. Not because people are bad. Not...

Nonprofit leaders today are navigating one of the most complex environments in recent history. Revenue streams are tightening. Donor expectations are rising. Communities are facing deeper and more layered needs. At the same time, organizations are being pushed to innovate, embrace social enterprise models, and modernize outdated systems. Yet, in the midst of all this change, many nonprofits continue to default to an old solution: creating new full-time positions for every emerging challenge....

When you think of successful organizations, whether a nonprofit, a ministry, a consulting firm, or a Fortune 500 company, the conversation often drifts toward products, services, or charismatic leaders. But the real distinguishing factor between organizations that spark short-term excitement and those that sustain long-term impact is something quieter and far more foundational: the ability to build, model, and maintain strong systems. Systems are the backbone of every thriving business or...

One of the most common questions asked in nonprofit leadership circles is simple but often debated: Should nonprofit board members be expected fundraise? My answer is yes. But like many things in the nonprofit world, one size does not fit all. In theory, the expectation that board members help raise money seems obvious. Nonprofits exist to advance a mission, and that mission requires resources. Board members are fiduciary stewards of the organization, which means they share responsibility for...

I’ve spent a lot of time on both sides of the table; interviewing young leaders, coaching executives, and walking into rooms where decisions are made quickly and often quietly. Over time, I’ve come to a simple but powerful belief that every opportunity evaluates three versions of you at the same time. I call it The Three You’s. I used to teach this to my mentees at Urban Ranger Corps before every summer session interview. Some of them thought it was too simple. Others thought it wasn’t fair....