Imagine Yourself:
more clear, confident, and empowered
energized for your work
Coaching for nonprofit leaders
Leadership and management in a small or grassroots nonprofit can be draining, lonely, and confusing - especially when you’re new in a role. Often there is no clear path and you may not have trusted colleagues or mentors you can turn to for feedback.
Coaching with Vanessa is an energizing partnership that supports you in moving through the places that are hard and where you get stuck. Here, you’ll find a safe and confidential space where you can drop into your own wisdom, discover new tools and perspectives, and build momentum towards greater effectiveness and success.
Your sessions will be
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Personalized
In our initial sessions, we will explore your current strengths and challenges, creating a personalized package to fit your unique needs and goals.
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Timely
I empower you to set the agenda for our sessions, so that you get the answers, perspectives, and confidence you need, just as issues arise.
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Generative
You’ll come away from each session having generated new perspectives, new wisdom, and 1-2 next steps you feel energized about taking.
What you’ll receive
In a 3- or 6-month package of coaching, here’s what you’ll receive:
A 90 minute Discovery Session to set goals and kick off our partnership
Twice monthly sessions of 45 minutes each
Availability by email, text and phone between meetings
Proactive sharing of tools, templates, and readings
Periodic check-ins to reflect on and celebrate progress
Ready to explore whether coaching could be a fit for you? Book a zero-pressure chemistry call with me where we can talk about your goals, your challenges, and your vision for success.
Have questions for me before you book? Feel free to email me.
What Vanessa’s Clients Say
“Coaching opened up another part of me that I didn’t know I had. A new level of confidence that I can approach something that scares me head on and not feel frightened. In the beginning, I was more of a ‘stand in the background’ type of person, not wanting as much to be a leader, and now I have the confidence to say what I need to say and have my words be valued and respected. This is a major shift for me and I really like where it’s going.”
- Ally Albright, Development and Marketing Manager, FACES SF
“A year ago, I sought coaching because I felt overwhelmed and not confident to be an effective leader in my role as a new Executive Director. What’s different now is I no longer feel deficient. I know I am the right person to lead. I am bringing more curiosity and spaciousness in my interactions with my team and asking for help when I need it. And instead of shying away from conflict/challenge today, I’m stepping up to create change from a place of calmness. I highly recommend coaching with Vanessa to anyone who is looking to develop their leadership and sustain their energy for this work.”
- Theresa Harlan, Executive Director, Alliance for Felix Cove (Photo: Jocelyn Knight)
“During our time coaching together, I was promoted to serve as an Associate Director. Vanessa helped me elevate my leadership so that I'm focused on the more significant scope of work in this new role. I've never been the best at asking for help or delegating tasks, but since working with her, I've done just that and more. I've stepped up for public speaking opportunities I never would have dreamed of before and I've opened up lines of communication with vendors and colleagues where before I would have stayed silent. With warmth and positivity, Vanessa has challenged me to think outside the box and be my best self.”
- Andrea Akers, Associate Director of Operations, Foodwise
“When I came to coaching, it was the middle of the pandemic and I was on the brink of a major career change. Working with Vanessa helped me show up with the leadership presence I wanted in my new job, and navigate more fluidly in relationships with people at work who think very differently than I do. I would say coaching with Vanessa is essential professional development on par with any formal training opportunities that I’ve had.”
- Claire McMurtry, Development Manager, LandPaths
FAQs
What is your coaching about?
My coaching is about exploring new perspectives and building your clarity and confidence in mind, body, and spirit. It is based on the premise that YOU are the expert in your own life and your own work. It builds upon the hopes, dreams, and vision for yourself and your organization that you hold most dear. It requires willingness to dig deep during sessions and to reflect, journal, and take action between sessions. My coaching is always holistic (encompassing all the roles you play in your work and life) because our experience in one area always affects the others.
What is coaching generally?
Coaching is a partnership between a coach and a client in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires the client to maximize personal and professional potential. It is a partnership of equals, where the coach brings the tools and the “container” of coaching and where the client brings the content, courage to explore, and energy to take action. Coaching is proven to work when there are two factors present: (1) willingness to grow and (2) a gap between where you are now and where you want to be.
How’s it different from mentoring?
I primarily offer coaching because when I support you in coming to your own solutions, (1) you feel more empowered and (2) you’re much more likely to implement them. That said, some clients ask that I also weave mentoring into our sessions and I’m happy to do that. As a mentor, I share from my two decades of experience as a Development Director, Board Member, and consultant to nonprofit leaders.
Can my organization pay for coaching?
Yes! Sometimes clients pay me directly and sometimes they access professional development funds from the organization where they work. Sometimes we do a mix of both.
How effective is coaching?
Coaching gives a great return on investment. Eighty percent of people who receive coaching report increased self-confidence, and over 70% benefit from improved work performance, relationships, and more effective communication skills (source: International Coaching Federation 2009).
What are your qualifications?
I’m an active member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and I am certified as a coach by both the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and the Co-Active Training Institute (CTI). I’m committed to my ongoing learning and professional development and to following the codes of ethics established by both AFP and ICF.
What if it’s not a fit?
I want the coaching relationship to feel like a phenomenal fit for both of us! If at any point, you feel like it’s not working, please let me know. We can make some adjustments in how we work together OR we can plan to wrap up. I just ask that you offer me two weeks’ notice so that we can have a completion session where we celebrate your learnings and plot out what’s next for you.
Hi, I’m Vanessa.
In my first Development Director role, I started off as a one-woman shop with a $1 million fundraising goal and I felt completely overwhelmed. While I had a solid seven years of professional fundraising under my belt by then, I also had a wicked case of imposter syndrome and the belief I needed to forge bravely ahead without help. Needless to say, I spent a lot of time spinning my wheels and crying in the parking lot.
I had the chance to work with two kind and wise consultants during those early years who coached me to trust myself and who connected me with the additional tools and resources I needed. I also put together a small group of fellow fundraisers who would meet up from time to time to provide each other encouragement and advice. Thanks to these supports, I was able to build out a four-person development shop and launch a $15 million capital campaign – success I never could have imagined at the outset.
Inspired by those who helped me along my journey, I founded my own coaching and consulting practice in 2020. I support open-hearted, mid-career professionals in growing their impact and leading in alignment with their values. Leveraging my intensive training as a coach and my Masters in Nonprofit Administration, I have a knack for making connections, seeing around corners, and sharing the right tools at the right time. I love working with clients to illuminate new possibilities and to bring ease, balance, and joy to their leadership roles.