When action is more important than the org chart

Mar 5, 2026 | Capacity-building, Leadership, Strategic planning, Taking action

I’m not afraid of bureaucracy. As a music historian, I spent years studying the network of East German state, party, and professional organizations that influenced the country’s musical development during the Cold War. The East German musical bureaucracy was, in...

Dream, Defer, Delegate: Managing January’s overwhelming potential

Jan 8, 2026 | Capacity-building, Leadership, Strategic planning, Taking action

There’s something undeniably exciting about the start of a new year and the brimming possibilities of a (nearly) blank planner. Yet for many organizational leaders, January’s energy and ambition can eventually lead to paralysis. This is the paradox of overwhelming...

Clarity of thought, word, and action: Editing and the art of facilitation

Oct 30, 2025 | Communication, Leadership, Strategic planning, Writing & Editing

What do grant writing, strategic planning, and impact reporting have in common? A. They are time-intensive but critical activities for any mission-driven organization. B. They work best by engaging stakeholders early and often. C. They benefit from an outside...

A book that changed how I bring people together: The Art of Gathering

Oct 2, 2025 | Capacity-building, Communication, Connection, Meetings, Strategic planning

Between client projects, the start of the school year, the ramping up of a number of community commitments, and a calendar full of meetings (oh, the meetings!) I haven’t had much time to pause, reflect, and write. Yet I still carve out time to read. Most recently, I...

How a PhD in music history shapes how I approach today’s challenges

Jul 10, 2025 | Creativity, Humanities, Strategic planning, Taking action

A few weeks ago, the American Musicological Society invited me to lead a workshop for Musicology PhD students interested in careers beyond the academy. In light of the dire budget cuts to higher education research and unprecedented attacks on science and academic...

The Power of Changing Your Environment (Without Leaving Town)

Jun 26, 2025 | Capacity-building, Creativity, Leadership, Meetings, Strategic planning

I have the great fortune to divide my time between two wonderful cities: Madison, Wisconsin and Berlin, Germany. While the trips back and forth require planning and effort, the benefits always outweigh the short-term logistical stress. By shifting my location, I gain...