The WHY of Nonprofit Nav
If you haven’t heard Simon Sinek or “Start with Why” referenced a few too many times, welcome, you must be new to the nonprofit sector. To successfully engage with outside talent or consultants, you must first understand why they’re helping.
Is it money? Guaranteed, to some degree…otherwise, they’d volunteer, right?
Ideally, however, it’s something that transcends profit.
We’ve been in your seat. We’ve faced the budget, the board, the volunteers, and the loneliness of leadership when you’re making big strides. We’ve lost sleep because of stress, but also because the work is so exciting – the potential so significant – that sleep feels like time wasted. The lingo, the politics, the pressures and the possibilities are all familiar to this team and the network of experts we work with. We are in this for you and with you.
Navigating any business is a challenge and it helps to work with someone who knows the landscape.
Meet the Team
Katie Appold is a nonprofit and association strategist with a track record of helping mission-driven organizations grow, govern well, and lead with intention. As founder and principal consultant of Nonprofit Nav, she partners with nonprofits, associations, and public entities across the country to strengthen boards, sharpen strategy, and build the organizational capacity needed to deliver lasting impact.
Her career includes executive leadership roles across human services, foundations, and professional associations. In her first Executive Director role, she grew annual organizational revenue by 300% and secured the top national affordable housing grant through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis. She later helped launch Do More Good, a nonprofit professional development platform that merged with Nonprofit Hub to become one of North America's largest free resources for nonprofit leaders.
Katie's consulting work spans governance design, strategic planning, board development, capital campaigns, and organizational change. Her clients range from grassroots organizations to national trade associations and international foundations, and her vision has shaped projects touching human services infrastructure, healthcare innovation, housing access, educational programming, and trade association reinvention.
Outside of her consulting practice, Katie serves as an adjunct professor of nonprofit leadership at Cornerstone University and contributes her expertise through board and committee service with regional and national organizations. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and a Master's degree in Public Administration with a concentration in Nonprofit Leadership, and has earned a Certificate of Nonprofit Board Education from BoardSource and a Working Genius Facilitator Certification.
Jessica is a strategic communications and partnerships professional with a strong track record of supporting organizational growth and enhancing client engagement. Her experience spans strategic account management, cross-functional collaboration, and creative content development, allowing her to bring both analytical insight and a thoughtful, people-centered approach to her work. Jessica is known for her ability to build trust, navigate complex priorities, and translate ideas into clear, actionable strategies.
In addition to her corporate experience, Jessica has been deeply engaged in nonprofit and community-focused work, supporting outreach initiatives, church-based programs, and volunteer efforts that serve and strengthen local communities. She is especially passionate about mission-driven organizations and is committed to helping teams align people, process, and purpose to create meaningful, lasting impact.
Sam recently graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in Business Administration and a minor in Psychology. He has a strong interest in how organizations operate behind the scenes, and is passionate about supporting teams through thoughtful processes, attention to detail, and dependable execution. His background includes serving as a student manager for the University of Utah women's basketball team, where he supported team operations, coordinated logistics, and tracked performance data. Originally from West Michigan, Sam is excited to continue building his career close to home, and is especially motivated by opportunities to learn, and support work that has a meaningful impact on local communities.
Emma is a rising sophomore at the University of Michigan studying Information Analysis with plans to dual degree in Organizational Studies with a minor in Spanish. She has a strong passion for philanthropy from her background serving as Secretary for the Youth Advisory Council through the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation in high school, rising Chair for the Student Giving Council at the University of Michigan, and an active member of Dance Marathon at the University of Michigan by raising funds and awareness for C.S Mott Children’s Hospital. Emma is incredibly excited to showcase her empathy and background in data analysis to help vital organizations grow for the betterment of our community.
Lauren Wisniewski has a career driving strategy and efficiency in the nonprofit and public
sectors. As a nonprofit consultant for fifteen years, Lauren has worked with a wide range of
nonprofit organizations in roles from strategic planning to fundraising to analytics to marketing and brand development. She brings expertise in Lean, Human Centered Design, Change Management and Agile methodologies, meeting nonprofits where they are and using these methodologies to support the unique needs of each client organization. Lauren has also served as a board member for national and local nonprofit organizations.
sectors. As a nonprofit consultant for fifteen years, Lauren has worked with a wide range of
nonprofit organizations in roles from strategic planning to fundraising to analytics to marketing and brand development. She brings expertise in Lean, Human Centered Design, Change Management and Agile methodologies, meeting nonprofits where they are and using these methodologies to support the unique needs of each client organization. Lauren has also served as a board member for national and local nonprofit organizations.
In addition to nonprofit experience, Lauren has worked with city and state governments, leading process improvement and change management projects. Within every role, empathy is an important driving force for Lauren’s work. She received her BA in Public Policy from the University of Michigan. Lauren also received her MA in Philanthropic Studies and Nonprofit Management from Indiana University Lilly School of Philanthropy as well as a Masters Certificate in Collaborative Governance from the University of Arizona.
Nonprofit Nav Guiding Values
Relevancy
It’s difficult to provide guidance to the sector when you’re no longer in it. Our team engages in board service, volunteerism, and contract leadership to keep our relevance.
Simplicity
Trending lingo, the latest theories, and strategic fads are lost on us. We use what works and what can be easily understood by our clients. Everything else is for scholars. We’re practitioners.
Raising the Bar
We don’t just aim to set the bar; we attempt to raise it with every engagement. We are competing with ourselves.
Always Learning
We have something to learn from each person we interact with – especially our clients. The things we have figured out may need to be refigured tomorrow. It’s ok, we’re committed to always learning.
Demonstrated Confidence
(Not Declared)
Our introductions will never take the air out of the room. Our confidence is demonstrated by our intellect, belief in our systems, and familiarity with the sector. We don’t feel the need to declare it.
It’s Not About Us
We believe our gifts are being stewarded for a greater purpose. God and our clients get the glory, we get the honor of supporting their work.
