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’s nonprofit career includes a variety of leadership roles for human service, foundation, and publishing-related nonprofits, as well as many volunteer roles. Under Katie’s leadership, nonprofit organizations have developed new programs related to free healthcare, affordable and accessible housing, and literacy programs for K-12 students. In her first Executive Director role, Katie increased the annual revenue of the organization she led by 300% and received the top grant prize in the nation for affordable housing through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis. She went on to help establish Do More Good. This nonprofit educational platform eventually merged with Nonprofit Hub, one of the largest free content sites for nonprofits in North America.
Today, Katie serves as the contract leader of Inform USA in addition to her work with nonprofit consulting through Nonprofit Nav. She also serves as an adjunct professor of nonprofit leadership for Cornerstone University.
Her educational background includes an undergraduate degree in business administration and a masters degree in nonprofit leadership.
Sydney Fancher is a nonprofit strategist and public sector collaborator with a deep commitment to strengthening communities through equitable service delivery and mission-driven partnerships. Sydney’s career spans leadership roles in nonprofit programs, 211s, and multi-state government collaboration, where she has successfully led cross-functional teams, optimized service delivery models, and secured funding through strategic RFP navigation. Her background includes managing contracts and client relationships for high-volume call centers, implementing data-driven outreach strategies, and designing inclusive service frameworks that prioritize equity and accessibility.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Multidisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Social Justice in Organizational Leadership and an Associate of Arts in History. A proud advocate for systemic change, Sydney was named a 2025 Inform USA Networker of the Year Nominee and currently serves on the board of Goodwill Central Oklahoma’s Generation Good initiative.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Multidisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Social Justice in Organizational Leadership and an Associate of Arts in History. A proud advocate for systemic change, Sydney was named a 2025 Inform USA Networker of the Year Nominee and currently serves on the board of Goodwill Central Oklahoma’s Generation Good initiative.
Known for her optimism, proactive leadership, and ability to translate vision into action, Sydney excels at forging lasting relationships and empowering teams to thrive. Her approach blends analytical rigor with heartfelt compassion and measurable impact.
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.
