My Path to Here

I didn’t set out to be a nonprofit consultant: I followed the thread of what I love and where I’m needed.

My very first mission-focused role was nearly two decades ago, and I’ve been immersed in that work ever since. I’ve led fundraising campaigns, written grants, trained boards, organized events, balanced budgets, and lost plenty of sleep wondering how it would all come together. I know what it feels like to carry a vision with both excitement and uncertainty… to lead with heart and still have a thousand practical questions.

Before I landed in consulting, my career took a few winding turns. I studied journalism and theatre in college, which shaped me into someone who’s endlessly curious and nerdy about clear communication. Then I spent years in event planning and management, where I learned the power of intentional space and how physical environments shape the way we connect, reflect, and celebrate. I still carry that passion with me. Whether I’m facilitating a retreat, guiding a strategic session, or building a campaign plan, I want people to feel something real: clarity, connection, even joy.

In the background of it all is my personal life, where I’ve always been a disability and accessibility advocate. That commitment shows up in every layer of my work, from how I design meetings to how I think about systems and equity.

I finally found my way to fundraising through events, and it didn’t take long for me to realize two things: I belonged in people-first, purpose-centered spaces, and I loved connecting others to causes they care about. Over time, I saw that what really lit me up was helping leaders zoom out, name what matters most, and build structures that could hold the weight of their mission.

That’s why I started The Mission Accomplice. Because I don’t want to just cheer you on from the sidelines; I want to walk beside you, arm-in-arm, as you do the courageous, creative, hard, and beautiful work of building something that matters.

A Few Things You Should Know

I live in Northwest Arkansas, where I enjoy eating BBQ, petting cats, leading DND campaigns, and lingering in rocking chairs on porches in the spring or fall.
I’m an iced coffee year-round person, no matter the weather.
I love sitting around a crowded table with friends more than anything.
I believe snacks make every meeting better. (Yes, this is official policy.)

What I Believe

I believe our communities thrive when we build with care, courage, and collective wisdom.
I believe equity, access, and anti-racism must be foundational to how we lead and serve.
I believe being good at this work doesn’t mean doing it alone, it means knowing when to ask for help.
I believe small things done with great heart can lead to big change.
I believe in staying scrappy, creative, and human.

How I Work

I bring structure and soul to every engagement. That means:
– Clear goals, deliverables, and timelines
– Collaborative processes rooted in respect, trust, and transparency
– Practical tools that actually work for small and mid-size teams
– A whole lot of listening, warmth, and laughter

I approach every space with a justice-focused mindset. I am committed to anti-racism, disability inclusion, and equity-centered strategy, not as buzzwords but as essential practices. These values shape how I build agendas, facilitate conversations, and offer solutions that are rooted in real life and long-term sustainability.

My sweet spot is bridging big-picture thinking with on-the-ground know-how. I help organizations dream wisely and build with confidence.

Video by aPauling Productions