Nonprofit Consulting with Purpose: The Story Behind Two Deer Consulting

Leading a nonprofit is both rewarding and relentless. After nearly a decade as an Executive Director and over 15 years in nonprofit leadership, I have seen firsthand the promise and the pressure that come with guiding mission-driven organizations.

Nonprofits run on passion, but passion alone cannot sustain financial systems, navigate governance challenges, or respond to the never-ending call to do more with less.

I have lived through the trenches, rebuilding financial infrastructures, resolving governance crises, leading multi-million-dollar capital projects, and guiding organizations through major turnarounds. What I have learned is simple but powerful:

Nonprofits that thrive are not the ones chasing every opportunity. They are the ones that prepare, prioritize, and focus their energy where it matters most.

That realization became the foundation of Two Deer Consulting, my nonprofit consulting practice dedicated to helping leaders build stronger, more sustainable organizations.

Why “Two Deer”? A Lesson in Focus and Preparation

The name Two Deer Consulting comes from a teaching of the Schitsu’umsh (Coeur d’Alene) people. In the story, Crane instructed hunters to take only two deer each. Those who followed the guidance returned with abundance. Coyote, who ignored the wisdom and lacked preparation, came back empty-handed and exhausted.

This timeless lesson applies directly to nonprofit leadership: true abundance comes not from chasing everything, but from focus, preparation, and honoring limits.

At Two Deer Consulting, I bring this philosophy into nonprofit strategy by helping leaders step back, sharpen their arrows, and return with the resources their organizations truly need without burning out staff or diluting their mission.

What I Bring to Nonprofit Leaders

My nonprofit consulting services are rooted in lived experience. I do not just advise from the outside; I have been in the seat of an Executive Director, leading through challenges and opportunities alike.

Some highlights of my work include:

• Organizational Turnaround: Revitalized operations at a nationally recognized arts institute by aligning staff, finances, and workflows for long-term sustainability.

• Capital Campaign Growth: Guided the early stages of a $40M nonprofit capital campaign, securing more than $700K in early funding and building community trust.

• Governance and Compliance: Rebuilt nonprofit governance structures and financial systems, restoring accountability, transparency, and board alignment.

• Strategic Branding: Developed mission-driven brands and strategies that elevated visibility, attracted new funders, and expanded organizational reach.

Because I have lived the realities of nonprofit leadership, I understand the pressures and the pathways to sustainable solutions.

The Two Deer Consulting Approach

Through a blend of strategic planning, organizational development, and nonprofit leadership coaching, I partner with mission-driven organizations to:

• Clarify Priorities: Focus on what advances the mission instead of spreading resources too thin.

• Build Sustainable Systems: Develop financial and operational structures that support long-term growth and stability.

• Strengthen Governance: Align nonprofit boards and staff teams for effectiveness, accountability, and impact.

• Navigate Transitions: Guide organizations through leadership changes, restructuring, or strategic pivots with clarity and confidence.

This structured, values-based approach ensures that leaders and organizations are equipped not just to survive but to thrive.

Why Now: A Commitment to Nonprofit Leaders

Launching Two Deer Consulting is both a professional next step and a personal mission. After years of leading from within organizations, I am committed to standing alongside nonprofit leaders as a trusted partner, helping them prepare wisely, focus strategically, and build organizations that create lasting community impact.

Because when nonprofits lead like Crane, with foresight, discipline, and respect for limits, the whole community flourishes.

Ready to sharpen your nonprofit strategy and strengthen your organization for long-term success? Let’s connect and explore how Two Deer Consulting can support your leadership journey.