Nonprofit Client Testimonials

“Margie led the staff and stakeholder engagement process for the executive director search for Environmental Learning for Kids (ELK). As the outgoing executive director, I was full of anxiety, and hopefulness. And at the time I felt the last thing I needed was another consultant. In entered Margie! Margie worked closely with our Board of Directors and engaged the staff, students, partners, and stakeholders in a facilitated, safe process that built connections and provided the best feedback for the Board as they made their decision on a new leader. Margie calmed my worn nerves and was able to counsel me on the best practices for the leadership change, and how to make the executive director transition and my exit a success for the organization and for my legacy as well. I’m currently looking forward to working with Margie on my next journey into retirement through her life coaching services. Margie’s expertise on “life” is for all of us who have the passion to continue to lead and do good work!”
- Loretta Pineda, ELK.

"When our former CEO departed, our Board of Directors hired Margie in a consulting role as Interim Managing Director, and she was my director supervisor. Not only did Margie offer expert guidance on nonprofit operations, governance, and managerial best practices to keep our organization moving forward, but also she coached and supervised me. It was some of the best professional coaching I've ever received, and I've truly never developed so quickly as a leader and supervisor in such a short period. Margie supports growth by letting you lead, affirms your strengths, and truly maximizes your abilities. I am a different, stronger, and more intentional leader because of Margie's coaching and leadership."
- Madeline Morrissey, RMC Health

“Consulting with Margie has been the best investment our organization has undertaken since I joined the board of the Flathead Lakers roughly two years ago.  A non-profit organization founded over 60 years ago, the Flathead Lakers work to protect the waters of the majestic Flathead Lake in western Montana.  We recently underwent tremendous change at the Lakers, hiring a new Executive Director, with Margie providing exceptional guidance along the way by helping us identify what we wanted in a new ED, providing objective feedback from independent interviews with the candidates, and facilitating the first annual planning meeting with the new ED in place.  Margie is now serving as our ED’s executive coach to develop her leadership skills.  For a long-standing organization such as ours, this is crucial for ensuring our new ED has the support and guidance she needs to direct and grow the Lakers over the coming years.  With intelligence, experience, and humor, Margie is helping everyone at the Lakers, staff and board members alike, grow in our time of change.”
- Nanette Nelson, Board Member, Flathead Lakers

“In preparing for our CEO leadership transition, the Mi Casa Resource Center board decided to hire Margie as an interim consultant to support our organization through the transition and advising our board in the search. During those few months, Margie led the day-to-day management of the operations, provided professional development to the staff, hosted weekly meetings with our executive committee, and helped facilitate our CEO search. Margie was a treat for the board to work with and our staff loved having a leader who was empathetic, experienced, and inclusive in her approach. Her professionalism, organizational skills, and experience in the field provided our team with the stability that was needed to work through a transitional period. We were pleased with her work and our hiring decision. I would recommend Margie to any organization that is looking for a strong leader with a ton of experience to advise your non-profit strategy, leadership, management of the staff, and culture/values work.”
- Shannon Corcoran, Board Member, Mi Casa Resource Center

"I've had the pleasure of knowing and working with Margie for the past three years as a fellow nonprofit board member, and watching her in action as a nonprofit consultant. Last year Margie facilitated a retreat with a service organization I'm part of. Margie quickly gained the confidence and trust of the group and quickly created a communal focus and plan we used to lead us to one of our most successful operational years. This is not an easy task to pull off - it requires keen diagnosis, something Margie can do with ease. Bottom line, when you’re working on a project with Margie you can bet it will be organized, strategic without the filler, and setup for you to win." 
- Michael Williams, Chairman, Omega Leadership Academy

“Margie is a nonprofit phenom. She is whip smart, super focused and yet incredibly fun - not a combo you find every day. I first met Margie when she was a student of mine in the Nonprofit Certificate program at the University of Washington. Margie stood out because she was so engaged in the material. She asked questions, she offered comments, she furrowed her brow until she figured things out. And then you'd get one of her explosively wonderful laughs. Later, I got to see Margie in action as the Executive Director of Rebuilding Together Seattle. She was as impressive out of the classroom as she was in it. She is strategic while not shying away from rolling up her sleeves (literally) to get done what needs to get done. In sum, Margie is wonderful. A gem. We are lucky to have her putting her super powers to work making the world a better place!”
- Erica Mills Barnhart, Sr. Lecturer, Evans School of Public Policy and Governance

“I had the privilege of working with Margie for four years at Reading Partners, where we worked together to complete a rigorous program evaluation and collaborated on a variety of organizational projects. Margie is an exceptional leader with a unique ability to cultivate deep and meaningful relationships with her staff, colleagues, and community partners. While Margie is undoubtedly a leader capable of consistently delivering on organizational mission and goals, it is her ability to foster a dynamic, collaborative, and growth-oriented culture that sets her apart. Margie is the sort of leader who values and elevates the talents of those around her, creating a team culture defined by trust, partnership, and excellence. It was an honor to work alongside Margie at Reading Partners.”
- Kate Smiles, Sr. Director of Data, Evaluation, and Learning, Reading Partners

“Margie was my direct supervisor at Rebuilding Together Seattle. She always made the professional development of her employees a top priority: she empowered us to take on new, perhaps unfamiliar responsibilities and constantly challenged us to grow. She was never afraid to roll up her sleeves and get into the weeds of an issue but also knew when it was appropriate to delegate in order to complete work efficiently. Not only is Margie an outstanding supervisor, but she’s also a gifted relationship builder when it comes to external relations. At Rebuilding Together, her passion for the mission was contagious: she made community sponsors and partners eager to join in on our work and built numerous lasting alliances for the organization. Rebuilding Together Seattle would not be what it is today without Margie’s hard work and leadership.”
- Jenny Vincent, Associate Director for Advancement, University of Washington

“I have worked with Margie on several occasions from volunteering at homes to helping host fundraisers. Margie is that rare combination of compassion, charisma, and competitiveness. If I coached a football team Margie would be the quarterback. She is a strong leader who seems to draw the best out of people. I would work for Margie in a minute except I already have a job.”
- Tony Ventrella, Media Consultant, Former News Anchor

“Margie is an amazing woman totally devoted to enhancing the lives of those in need and involves others in the process of giving back to the community. She works tirelessly at what she does and has had and will continue to have an amazing impact on the community. Very professional and at the same time compassionate.” - Mark Knudson, Senior Superintendent, Exxel Pacific, Inc.