Nonprofit Board Consulting
Boards that know how to govern.
Most nonprofit boards are made up of committed, capable people who were never taught the mechanics of governance. Kia closes that gap — with practical frameworks, direct guidance, and the kind of honest conversation that actually moves organizations forward.
What the work looks like
Kia works directly with boards and executive leadership — not through a junior associate, not via a template. Every engagement is scoped to what the organization actually needs.
Strategic planning
Develop a clear, actionable strategic plan for the organization and its board. Not a document that sits on a shelf — a roadmap the board actually uses to make decisions.
Board development
Build the board you need. Kia works with boards to clarify roles, strengthen recruitment, improve meeting culture, and develop the governance infrastructure that sustains growth.
Executive director search support
When a board needs to hire or transition executive leadership, Kia helps develop the job description, search plan, and evaluation process — so the board leads the search with confidence.
HR and staffing alignment
Working alongside your HR provider, Kia helps boards identify and address staffing concerns — ensuring board-level decisions align with organizational needs and legal obligations.
Board meeting facilitation
Kia attends board meetings on request to provide real-time guidance, ensure compliance with parliamentary procedure, and help boards run meetings that are actually productive.
Progress reporting
Every engagement closes with a written report on progress toward agreed goals — so the board has a clear record of what was accomplished and what comes next.
The approach
Kia doesn't come in with a one-size-fits-all playbook. She starts by listening — to the board, to the staff, to the history of the organization. Then she works alongside leadership to build governance infrastructure that fits the organization's actual stage, culture, and goals.
Direct, not diplomatic
Boards don't need someone to tell them what they want to hear. They need someone who will name what's not working and help them fix it.
Practical, not theoretical
Every recommendation is grounded in what the board can actually implement — not best-practice frameworks that require a full-time governance staff to execute.
Alongside, not above
Kia works with boards, not at them. The goal is to build the board's own capacity — not create dependency on a consultant.
Real work. Real results.
Here's an example of what a Kia Baird Consulting engagement looks like in practice.
STEPS, Inc.
Board governance & strategic planning
Scope of engagement
- Provide guidance and consultation to develop a strategic plan for the organization and its board
- Assist with the creation of a job description and search plan for an Executive Director
- Work with the HR provider to identify and address staffing concerns
- Attend board meetings to provide guidance and ensure compliance with parliamentary procedure
- Deliver a final written report on progress toward board-agreed goals
Ready to build a board that governs well?
Start with a discovery conversation. No pitch, no pressure — just an honest look at where your board is and what it needs.
Schedule a discovery call