Jeremy C. Park interviews Katie Spencer, founder and CEO of Zipline Consulting, who discusses her work with nonprofits and her background in nonprofit management and consulting. Katie and Jeremy explore topics including board engagement, strategic focus, and the evolving landscape of the nonprofit sector, with Katie emphasizing the importance of clear vision, effective communication, and making tough strategic decisions. Katie shares various ways people can connect with her to access valuable insights for nonprofit leaders, and they highlight the upcoming free cityCURRENT GET ON BOARD webinar Katie is leading on January 16, 2026, focused on sharing “The Blueprint for a Highly-Engaged Board.”
Summary
Nonprofit Strategy and Board Development – Katie Spencer, Founder and CEO of Zipline Consulting, discusses her work with nonprofits. Katie explains her background in nonprofit management and consulting, emphasizing her focus on strengthening boards and clarifying strategic focus for organizations. She highlights the importance of clear vision and actionable pathways for nonprofits to succeed.
Nonprofit Innovation and Board Engagement – Katie discusses the evolving landscape of the nonprofit sector, highlighting the need for organizations to adapt to a more competitive and global environment by embracing innovation and effective communication. She emphasizes that nonprofits must rise above the noise, articulate their vision clearly, and demonstrate their impact to build trust and secure support. Jeremy and Katie explore the importance of board engagement for nonprofit success, acknowledging the diversity in board composition and the critical role it plays in driving organizational effectiveness.
Effective Nonprofit Board Engagement – Katie discusses the importance of clarifying board roles and partnerships in nonprofits, emphasizing the need to look beyond surface-level engagement. She highlights that effective boards show up consistently, support the organization’s mission, and maintain clear alignment with the executive team. Jeremy acknowledges the value of understanding what a high-functioning board looks like to guide future improvements.
Nonprofit Strategic Focus and Adaptation – Katie discusses the importance of strategic focus in nonprofit organizations, emphasizing the need to prioritize impact over serving every need that arises. She highlights the cultural challenge of making tough choices to focus on specific areas, noting the tension between mission-driven passion and the necessity of strategic decision-making. Katie stresses the importance of creating a bold vision, staying flexible, and being willing to adapt strategies if something isn’t working, while maintaining focus on the organization’s core mission.
Nonprofit Leadership and Fundraising Insights – Katie encourages nonprofit leaders by acknowledging the sector’s challenges while highlighting successful fundraising, leadership transitions, and board effectiveness. She emphasizes the critical role of nonprofits in addressing societal issues and expresses optimism about organizations that adapt to challenges. Jeremy notes Katie’s efforts in producing valuable content for social media and newsletters.
Connecting with Katie for Insights = Katie shares various ways people can connect with her, including her email newsletter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook, as well as her newly launched Substack. She expresses her desire to share valuable insights with leaders to help them grow their impact.
Visit https://www.ziplineconsulting.com to learn more about Zipline Consulting and to connect with Katie Spencer.
