Update

Communications: Coach incoming President of influential West Coast Congregation.  Began working with congregation during a very challenging rabbinic transition, and through a Presidential transition (advising both the outgoing and incoming presidents).  Designed process for effectively bringing all facets of the congregation into conversation.  Planned key meetings – full congregational meetings as well as smaller conversations.  Provided extensive written materials, and ensured consistent communication across a wide array of channels.  As new President prepares to take office, providing advice on communications strategies (for the congregation, for the Board, and for her personally) and framing her agenda in the most effective terms. [Ongoing]

Communications: Serve as Consulting Communications Director for national nonprofit.  Write, edit, and design full range of communications vehicles.  Write and pitch op-eds.  Monitor media for engagement opportunities.  Function as advisor to the Executive Director. [Ongoing]

 Communications., Board Development: Concluding a long-term consultancy with an active mid-size Midwestern congregation around the possible sale of their existing building.  Led in-person kick-off retreat, and guided series of task forces in assessing congregational needs. Maintained focus on congregational engagement in the process.  Ran nationwide search to select project architect. Currently managing a series of task forces examining options (move and build, stay and renovate, move into an existing building).  [Ongoing]

Development. Consult with key local social service delivery agency around its first major capital campaign. Recommended strategies and wrote/designed collateral – print and video – to support $4.8 million campaign. Have raised $4.2 million, and will reach goal before expectation. [Ongoing]

Research, Writing: Lead a $300,000 research project to analyze if state-specific public interest law firms can play an effective role in democracy protection work in key states.  Building on the work of the Wisconsin firm I helped launch, this research – which includes in-depth interviews with dozens of leading scholars, policy makers, funders, and litigators – is examining the factors that led to the firm’s early success and exploring where that success might be replicated.   [Concluded]

Communications, Writing: Advise Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker in responding to media, community, and other requests after the January 2022 hostage situation at his congregation.  (Rabbi Cytron-Walker and three congregants were held hostage in their sanctuary at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, TX for 11 hours.)  Worked with Rabbi Cytron-Walker to triage thousands of emails, hundreds of phone calls, and to evaluate and prioritize scores of invitations.  Draft emails, short statements, congressional testimony, and an array of other materials. Assisted with op-eds in the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times. Continue to serve as liaison between outside organizations and Rabbi Cytron-Walker, and to consult on opportunities.  [Completed]

Executive Coaching: Coach pivotal staff member at key Jewish Social Justice organization. [Completed]

Start-Up Non Profit: Served as Founding/Interim Executive Director for a Wisconsin-based startup public interest law firm.  Got new organization up and running by designing a process through which we hired our first staff person, opening bank accounts, formalizing Board of Directors’ meetings, soliciting bids and purchasing insurance, and creating a website.  Designed regular financial and other reports for Board and leadership.  Developed, and worked with Board to secure approval of, policies on wide array of topics including health care for employees, deciding when to accept new cases, and how to select new Board members.  Integrally involved in fundraising efforts that have raised approximately $3 million.  Designed process to hire first full-time Executive Director.  (Now work with the firm in a new capacity.) [Completed]

Communications, Programming: Implemented high-level program for large Southeastern congregation designed to reach out to the legal community.  Select, confirm, and brief speakers.  Prepare materials for participants and serve as “Dean” of the program.  Moderate key sessions.  Work with congregational leadership to present programs to entire state and, for final program, to a national audience. [Completed]

Communications: Worked with small Northeastern congregation to communicate with congregants about the circumstances around their rabbi’s early departure.  Crafted overarching strategy, drafted congregation-wide letter, and prepared “talking points” for congregational leadership to use in conversations.  Advised congregational leadership on how to message the decision to hire an interim rabbi.  [Completed]

Communications, Board Development: Worked with a large Southwestern congregation on messaging and communications strategy to create a positive climate for selling the congregation’s buildings and properties.  During this engagement, the long-time and much-loved Senior Rabbi announced that she would be leaving, so the work expanded to include communications around her departure, the hiring of an Interim Rabbi, and the Rabbinic search process.  This long-term (2.5 years) engagement has recently concluded with the successful hiring of a new Senior Rabbi. [Completed]

Strategic Planning, Governance: Consulted with the leadership of a small but influential magazine to redesign its board structure.  Introduced a committee system for the first time, produced a clear and detailed Covenant of Board Service, and developed a road map for Board expansion.  Guided CEO through first Board Chair transition in ten years. [Completed]

Communications: Assisted mid-sized Northeastern congregation in messaging, communications (internal and external) and board work surrounding a complicated series of events including the departure of their rabbi and cantor, the selection and placement of an interim rabbi, and related issues. Played key role connecting congregation with national denominational bodies. [Completed]