How my journey began
In 2019, I was riding high. After a successful career in nonprofit fundraising, I had landed my dream job leading a team of analysts for a boutique consulting firm with a national clientele and a solid reputation. Then…the announcement - we were being acquired. The offer was shiny and new but the uncertainty was dreadful.
When I looked back on my career, I realized I’d navigated a lot of transitions already and I would get through this one like I had before - with curiosity, adaptability, humor, integrity, and a sense of adventure.
Throughout the merger, a lot of the skills I’d developed over the years - fundraising, board development, executive coaching, strategy, organizational development, and diversity, equity, and inclusion consulting - came in handy.
I’d been an interim executive director, a major gift officer, a board member, and an analyst for organizations who had all experienced major transitions. From my first foray into the nonprofit world as a program manager in 2007 to my healthcare clients at Marts & Lundy in 2021, mergers and acquisitions were everywhere, but no one was talking about it!
I created The Kate Harris Group to bring this all together and help organizations and leaders navigate their way through change.
We’re still experiencing the ripple effects of a global pandemic. There have been winners and losers. Nonprofits have closed their doors. Some because they met their mission and others because they didn’t have the resources to sustain themselves. More nonprofits are created every year, but our social crises persist. And yet - strategic affiliations are not just a response to crisis. It’s a strategic question organizations should be asking all the time - Who are our partners? What’s missing? How can we do more under our mission?
From finding the right partner to navigating post-merger integration, I’ve helped nonprofits do more under their missions for 15 years. Considering a strategic shift? I’d love to talk to you!
Bio
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Kate has worked for and with nonprofit organizations for 20 years. Her clients range from small start ups to seasoned national organizations. Throughout her career as a consultant, program manager, and development director, she has found herself in organizations experiencing big changes. She likes to serve as bit of respite and steady calm for clients navigating the rough seas of organizational change.
Kate completed her undergraduate degree at Ohio University after a year living abroad. She caught the travel bug which not only let her see the world but brought valuable lessons in empathy, adaptability, and everyone’s right to dignity. She studied philanthropy and environmental science and holds an MA and MS from the University of Michigan.
Kate is a volunteer mediator for the Dispute Resolution Center in Washtenaw County, Michigan and an advocate for the abolition of family policing.
She currently resides in Rhode Island with her wife and her dog, Atlas. If she’s not working, you can find her at the beach.
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Kate is a sole practitioner who never works alone. Highly collaborative, “Kate’s Group” includes both licensed services and folks with lived experience in major leadership positions. She also regularly partners with other consulting firms, interim or fractional services, legal, accounting, HR, PR and communications, data management and integration services, organizers, advocates, and content experts. If you’re looking for support in your merger or other structural change, Kate can help you locate services and professionals that fit your needs.
You can also find me here:
The Dispute Resolution Center
Volunteer General Civil Mediator
