Our Staff
Nonprofit Impact is a women-owned small business. Together with our sister company, Conservation Impact, we have worked with nearly 500 clients in 43 states. We created Nonprofit Impact in 2003 to complement our work in Conservation Impact, which provides comprehensive organizational development consulting to organizations and related public agencies dedicated to environmental quality and natural resource protection.
We have spent our entire professional careers in the nonprofit and public sectors and have extensive experience with public health, education, and human services, as well as a solid track record of consulting and training success. We do this work because we care about making a difference in our communities.
(From L to R: Jennifer Burstein, Shelli Bischoff-Turner, Karen Buck, Leni Wilsmann)
Strengths and Experience
- Strategic thinking, getting to the core issues, creating practical solutions, and inspiring clients to be stronger than they could have imagined.
- 30 years working with nonprofits and public agencies; management, technical assistance, and consulting; adjunct faculty in nonprofit management.
How Clients Describe Shelli
“Amazing visionary” “Passionate and energetic” “A real pro”
What Clients Have Said About Shelli
“Of all the consultants we have had over the 15 years I have been here, no one has helped us to be more transformative and to act on what we learned for the advancement of our mission.”
“I was impressed how you were able to keep the group on point, manage some strong and vocal personalities, and craft language which presented an acceptable compromise between differing points of view and sometimes doing all of these at the same time.”
Education
Master’s of Public Administration with Nonprofit Emphasis, University of Colorado at Denver
Bachelor’s of Arts, Environmental Conservation, University of Colorado at Denver
Background
- Founded and manages Conservation Impact and Nonprofit Impact for past 14 years.
- Consulted with more than 1,000 nonprofits and public agencies nationwide and in Canada and the Philippines.
- Started and managed two revenue generating enterprises of nonprofit institutions.
- Started and managed Colorado’s fourteen Small Business Development Centers.
- Authored several nonprofit management, marketing, and organizational development articles.
- Invited speaker and trainer at national conferences and leadership institutes.
Interests
- Making organizations and agencies potent and impactful.
- All aspects of organizational development and how organizations and agencies do their work.
- Generational cohort data and information and how it applies to nonprofit marketing.
Strengths and Experience
- Strategic thinking, aligning goals and fundraising, connecting with high-level volunteers, and bringing clarity to complex issues and systems.
- 15 years working with nonprofits and public agencies; fundraising, program development, grant making, special events, volunteer and board development.
How Clients Describe Karen
“Focus and guidance” “You keep us on track” “Personable and professional”
What Clients Have Said About Karen
“Your feedback really helped to clarify our message and has given us a plan of attack for tomorrow’s fundraising meeting.”
“Thanks so much for a valuable presentation. I’ve had several people comment on what a great presenter you were and how much they gained from it. I was especially pleased to have staff and board working together on mutual concerns.”
Education
Masters in Nonprofit Management, with Honors, from Regis University
Colorado Trust Fellowship, Class of 1997
Bachelor’s of Arts, Sociology, University of Colorado at Boulder
Background
- Consulted with local, regional, national, and international nonprofits around the country.
- Recruited, trained, and supervised over 500 volunteers filling a wide variety of roles, including high-level board and committee volunteers.
- Developed and implemented 80+ fundraising events for local, state, and national audiences.
- Created comprehensive marketing and donor communication campaigns.
- Invited workshop leader at state and national conferences.
Interests
- Helping organizations determine their strategic focus.
- Taking the fear out of fundraising.
- How organizations use technology to connect with supporters and raise funds.
Strengths and Experience
- Strategic thinking, critical analysis, practical problem solving, scientific perspective.
- 25 years working with nonprofits and public agencies; management, consulting, and priority-setting.
How Clients Describe Leni
“Insightful” “Knowledgeable” “Helpful”
What Clients Have Said About Leni
“We so enjoyed Leni. She was thorough, well-informed, knowledgeable, fluent, and well prepared. It was a great session. It was more productive than we could have ever imagined.
“So many times I’ve been appreciative for the work you did with us. As we completed our LTA accreditation for submission last month, I often cited the work you did with the Board. Thanks ever so much – and I can’t wait to tell you about the progress we’re making!
Education
Doctorate in Aquatic Ecology, Michigan State University
Bachelor’s of Arts, Zoology, University of California at Berkeley
Background
- Five years as a consultant to nonprofits and agencies at Nonprofit Impact.
- Served as manager and scientist of state, regional, and national science programs at The Nature Conservancy for 21 years.
- Managed national teams focused on large-scale conservation planning and partner development with public agencies and nonprofits.
- Invited speaker and participant at national conferences.
Interests
- Helping organizations clarify their focus and priorities for greater impact.
- Helping organizations create sustainable outcomes and organizations.
- Creating a more effective conservation community at the local, state, regional, and national scales.
Strengths and Experience
- Project management, client services, and system and financial administration.
- 12 years experience working with nonprofits; served as director of development and program staff for a statewide organization.
Words Used to Describe Jennifer…
“Efficient” “Organized” “Thorough” “Dedicated” “Passionate”
Education
Bachelor’s of Arts, Psychology and Environmental Biology, University of Colorado at Boulder
Background
- Raised funds from a variety of sources including government, foundation, and corporate grant funders, corporate sponsors, and individuals.
- Oversaw marketing and communication efforts including newsletters and public relations events.
- Managed statewide referral service connecting volunteers with conservation opportunities with federal, state, local, and nonprofit organizations.
- Created and administered a statewide youth program to engage at-risk youth.
- Managed volunteer teams to plan, coordinate, and implement large-scale volunteer projects.
Interests
- Creating effective and efficient systems for small businesses.
- Creating useful final products for clients.