Reflections on One Year of Reveillon Solutions
My home office where I’ve spent the past year building and running Reveillon Solutions.
It’s hard to believe it’s already been a year since I launched Reveillon Solutions.
When I stepped out on my own, I wasn’t sure what value I could offer clients that they didn’t already have in-house. After all, nonprofit leaders are incredibly smart, experienced, and resourceful. But as I reflect on the last twelve months, I’ve come to realize that 30 years of experience offers something incredibly valuable: perspective.
Over the years, I’ve seen it all—the terrible and the transformative. I’ve navigated through PR crises, budget deficits, Congressional investigations, million-dollar thefts, earthquakes, wildfires, and a global pandemic. But I’ve also had a front-row seat to meaningful change: reorganizing teams, launching new programs, opening buildings, rebranding, landing transformative gifts, and building systems that truly make things work better.
Now, as I consult with a wide range of nonprofit clients, I’m seeing how transferable that experience is. Most importantly, I’m seeing how valuable it is to simply have someone who’s been there before. Someone who can ask the tough questions, offer fresh solutions, or just help hold space for the hard stuff.
Because let’s be honest: Leading a nonprofit has always been hard. The mission keeps expanding, the money never stretches far enough, and leaders constantly have to balance funders, boards, staff, and ever-shifting priorities. And now? It’s even harder. The stakes are higher. Missions are under scrutiny, funding is uncertain, and the very purpose of important organizations is being questioned.
What I thought I’d be offering was labor and deliverables. What I’ve learned is that the real value I provide is space to reflect, think, plan, and reset. Sometimes, that looks like offering a new framework. Sometimes, it’s playing devil’s advocate or being the skunk at the garden party. And sometimes, it’s just reminding leaders that their work still matters, even when it feels like everything is falling apart.
Over the past year, I’ve done work I’m really proud of. I’ve written strong, practical policies. I’ve led trainings that helped teams build skills and confidence. I’ve diagnosed tough organizational challenges and offered clear, actionable solutions. I’ve crafted thoughtful scenario plans and facilitated meetings that moved conversations and missions forward.
But the most rewarding part was something less tangible: the opportunity to draw on 30 years of experience and speak in my own voice. No edits, no approvals, no filters, just honest insights shared with people who wanted to hear them. It was a reminder that the value I bring is real. That affirmation has been incredibly validating.
I created this section on my website to house these reflections, tools, and ideas. It’s a place where nonprofit leaders can come when they need a fresh perspective, a spark of inspiration, or solutions to the challenges they’re facing within their organizations. Because if I have learned anything this last year, it’s that everyone can use a little help.
