Member Spotlight: Jamie McDonald, Nonprofit Operations, Transition, and Succession Planning

Tell us who you are, who you serve, and what you’re focused on right now.

I help mission-driven nonprofits build resilient systems before crisis strikes, through operations, transition, and succession planning and implementation.

What led you into this work? Share a specific moment or turning point.

Curiosity and interest in many things has led me to my current position. I started my career as a public health professional, which led me to work in the nonprofit sector. That work led me to nonprofit management and then leadership as an executive director for a decade. Now, I am taking these experiences and giving back to our future leaders in public health (through teaching), and nonprofit (through consulting). As rewarding as my past experiences have been, nothing really compares to being able to share my learned lessons with others.

What was one of the hardest parts of building your career or business, and how did you move through it?

The second hardest part of building my consulting business, was knowing what to do and understanding what was essential and what was not necessary. Finding Relatable Nonprofit at the beginning of starting my business was the most fortuitous find and has led to the success I have experienced in this year. The HARDEST part of building my business has been all in my head. I needed to develop the confidence in myself. I needed to believe that I was capable, knowledgeable, and would be sought after for the help I could provide. I don't think I would be as far in building that self-confidence were it not for the mentors and peers at Relatable Nonprofit. I have learned and grown so much in this time!

Describe a recent project or client win you’re proud of. What changed because of your work?

I recently developed a presentation on Board member roles and responsibilities for an organization that was challenged with motivating their board to get more active in mission-centered activities. In my discussions with the client, I learned that many of the board members were new to service, or were not completely aware of what their responsibilities were. I created more specificity in the board roles documentation, and will be developing an onboarding manual for them moving forward. Even in a short amount of time, the board members seem more committed and ready to get to work!

What are you building or refining right now?

I developed an assessment tool for my clients to complete when they begin working with me. It gives me information on where their current operations are; what gaps exist; what challenges we need to tackle first. I would like to develop operations plan templates in the same manner - something that I can use as a framework for an operations/succession plan for clients. The plans would still be customized based on the organizational needs, but would also be more efficient to put together in a timeframe that works for the clients.

What belief about consulting or nonprofit work has changed for you over time?

I believed that as a consultant, I would be challenged with the isolation and loneliness of working for myself. It has actually been the opposite. I have been deliberate in finding opportunities to connect with others working in the field and have experienced such a wonderful world of supportive people learning and growing in their work as well. I have been able to connect with former colleagues and that has led to work in new ways. While I still work hard, the work is rewarding and challenging, and strangely less stressful. I have been a surprisingly kind and compassionate boss! :)