ABOUT ME

Your vision is my mission! I help small and mid-size nonprofits to build capacity through strategic planning, effective organizational management, and strong board governance so that you can do what you do best - serve your community and clients.

After 18 years in the nonprofit sector, I started Lavin Strategies to help nonprofits take their organizations to the next level. Throughout my career, I've held progressive leadership roles in program development and management, fundraising, and strategic planning. As Chief Strategy Officer at NeighborWorks Western Pennsylvania, I led strategic and business planning processes, served as the organization’s lead fundraiser, and ensured continuous program improvement through data-driven decision-making. I've also held leadership positions on multiple nonprofit boards, most recently spending four years as President of Family Promise of Bell County, an organization serving families experiencing homelessness.

In both my staff and board roles, I've revised bylaws, developed board performance expectations and board agreements, designed board recruitment processes, and restructured committees. Through it all, I discovered a true passion for board governance. I believe that building a high-performing board is the key for organizations to go from surviving to thriving. As a consultant, my primary goal is to help nonprofits build the capacity to fulfill their mission.

As a BoardSource Certified Governance Consultant, I have been trained best practices in board governance which guide my work to help boards and executives to lead with purpose.

Grow Your Vision

Welcome visitors to your site with a short, engaging introduction.

Double click to edit and add your own text.

It is a rare professional who effectively delivers across the organizational spectrum, from strategy to organizational management and all points in between. The depth and breadth of Emily’s experience and knowledge truly made her a “go-to” team member for strategic planning and decision-making, systems management, creative problem-solving, and relationship management at NeighborWorks Western Pennsylvania, where she instilled a culture of continuous improvement within the organization.

Colin Kelley, CEO, NeighborWorks Western Pennsylvania