ABOUTHelping Nonprofits and Foundations Thrive
Leading a social impact organization comes with constant challenges:
Tight budgets, limited staff, and the pressure to meet urgent needs while keeping an eye on long-term goals are just a few examples. Building and retaining a strong team can feel overwhelming, and strategic planning often takes a back seat. I’ve been there, and I know how isolating it can feel—but you don’t have to navigate it alone.
Together, we can build stronger partnerships, diversify revenue streams, optimize systems, and cultivate a mission-driven culture. My work helps you invest in your people, leverage data for actionable strategies, and deepen the impact of your board and staff—all while keeping your organization moving forward with clarity and confidence.
My Journey
With 20 years of executive experience, I specialize in leadership development, organizational assessments, fractional executive support, and fund development—from strategy to implementation. Most recently, I served as Executive Director of Playworks Illinois, part of a national organization transforming children’s social, emotional, and physical health through play. Over 18 years in various leadership roles, I introduced four new programmatic regions and helped grow Illinois’ revenue and impact fivefold.
I currently serve on several boards, including the Center for Healing and Justice Through Sport and Planned Parenthood of Illinois, and I’m a Leadership Greater Chicago and New Leaders Council Fellow. In 2024, I launched my consultancy to bring my expertise to a wider audience, helping organizations navigate complex challenges and achieve sustainable success.
Outside of work, you’ll find me running through farmers markets, cheering at women’s soccer matches, traveling with my spouse Adam, and walking our dog Stella. I speak Spanish, am learning Italian, and love veggie-forward cooking, al dente pasta, and Burmese food.
Values and Approach
I approach every engagement with adaptability, reliability, and a collaborative spirit. I combine deep executive experience with a hands-on style—rolling up my sleeves alongside my clients to co-create solutions that last. My work emphasizes:
Inclusive leadership grounded in equity
Partnership built on trust and reliability
Clear, confident, and encouraging guidanceClients value my ability to balance professionalism with approachability, offering insights with warmth and clarity while always staying grounded and solution-focused. I prioritize meaningful relationships, using regular check-ins and creative exercises to go deeper than a typical consultant-client dynamic.
A Bit About Me
I’m endlessly curious and love learning through experience. I have five nieces and two fur-nephews, enjoy exploring new cities on foot, and maintain a highly organized fridge (seriously!). My passions extend across mental health, workforce development, educational equity, health promotion, and youth development. This variety fuels my work and allows me to bring broad, adaptable expertise to each client partnership.
What Clients Are Saying
“Colleen was instrumental in our organization’s growth and sustainability planning. She provided consultation in several key areas and hands-on project management support that brought our non-profit to the next level. She worked closely with our Board of Directors and was highly regarded by all for her commitment, understanding of our development needs and ability to guide us in fundraising and infrastructure planning.
Colleen’s insights, skills and relationship-building capacities helped us take significant steps forward in accomplishing expansion goals that have set us on the path for continued growth.”
– Theresa Atchley,
Illinois Association for Infant Mental Health
WORK WITH ME