We’re Relatable

Our Story:Â From Nonprofit Burnout to Consulting Freedom
We know what it’s like to love the mission but feel trapped by the job. To give everything to your work—your nights, your weekends, your energy—only to wonder if it will ever be enough. To feel stretched thin, undervalued, and stuck in a cycle that leaves little room for your own life.
That was us, too. We built our careers in the nonprofit sector, believing in the work and pouring ourselves into it. But over time, the long hours, the relentless pressure, and the feeling that we had no control over our time or future started to wear us down. We knew we had valuable skills, but we started to wonder—what if we could use them in a way that gave us more freedom, more stability, and, ironically, an even bigger impact?
For Cat, the wake-up call came as a program officer managing grants for a $500M private foundation. She was out the door before sunrise, leaving her daughter with a babysitter, and coming home just in time to tuck her into bed. The guilt was crushing. The career she worked so hard for had hit a ceiling, and when panic attacks and depression set in, she knew she had to make a change.
For Julia, it was the 12-hour days as a Director of Advancement in D.C., managing a $7M annual budget and leading a team of ten. She was constantly on call, carrying the weight of fundraising goals and donor expectations. The stress built up until it finally landed her in the hospital. That’s when she realized—this wasn’t sustainable. She needed a new path, one that wouldn’t cost her health and well-being.
So we took a leap. We started consulting, unsure of exactly what it would look like but certain we couldn’t keep doing what we were doing. Within a year, we had built a six-figure consulting business, working fewer hours and choosing projects we were passionate about.
And here’s what we want you to know: You don’t have to wait until you’re completely burned out to want something different. You don’t have to hit a breaking point to realize that your skills are valuable beyond the walls of your nonprofit job. If you’ve ever wondered whether consulting could give you more freedom, more control, and more balance—it can.
Today, we work 30 hours a week, have control over our schedules, and get to work with organizations we truly care about. And now, we help others do the same.
If you’re a nonprofit professional thinking about consulting but unsure of where to start, that’s exactly why we created our Mentorship Program—to guide you step by step in building a consulting business that gives you stability, flexibility, and the ability to do meaningful work on your terms.
Because you don’t have to choose between impact and freedom. You can have both.

Catalina Parker
Co-Founder
I've worked in the nonprofit sector as an employee, funder, and consultant for a decade. Earned my B.A. in International Studies from American University and M.S. in Nonprofit Management from Columbia University. I live in South Carolina with my husband, two kiddos, and pup. Lover of needlepoint, travel, floral design, and spin classes.Â

Katie Rathburg
Executive Assistant
I'm Katie! I'm originally from the beautiful Southeastern region of Michigan, but these days, I'm soaking up the sunny coastal vibes of South Carolina with my wonderful husband and three amazing kids. We're also pet parents to two cats and two dogs. I'm a proud graduate of Rochester College, where I earned my degree in Business Management. When I'm not running around with my kiddos, I enjoy practicing pilates, singing, and trying out new local coffee shops for delicious lattes.
Our Mission
Relatable Nonprofit empowers growth-driven people with nonprofit hearts to succeed in consulting.
Our Vision
We envision a nonprofit sector where the full potential of talent is unleashed. A revolutionized landscape where nonprofits can tap into a vast pool of skilled consultants while these experts retain the freedom and flexibility to deliver their invaluable skills on their own terms.
Our Why
Because nonprofit professionals deserve to know what’s possible.