Nielsen Training & Consulting, LLC

06/18/2026

Many nonprofit boards view executive evaluation as an annual task to complete. The most effective boards see it as something much more.

A strong executive evaluation process builds trust, strengthens accountability, improves communication, and aligns leadership with organizational strategy. Most importantly, it creates an opportunity for meaningful dialogue and continuous improvement.

In my latest article, I share practical insights on how boards can move beyond simply documenting performance and create an evaluation process that supports executive success and organizational impact.

What is one thing your board does well—or could improve—when it comes to executive evaluation?

When nonprofit boards discuss their governance responsibilities, they often focus on strategic planning, financial oversight, fundraising, and board recruitment. Yet one of the most important responsibilities of a board is sometimes the one that receives the least attention: supporting and evaluatin

06/15/2026

Last week, I facilitated a thoughtful and engaging conversation with the Board of the Hearing Loss Association of America (Official Page) focused on the future of board leadership.

Together, we explored what it takes to build and sustain healthy boards in a rapidly changing environment—examining the critical roles of trust, healthy board culture, strong relationships, accountability, and leadership succession. The discussion highlighted how intentional governance practices create the foundation for boards to lead with confidence, adaptability, and impact.

HLAA is the nation’s leading organization representing people with hearing loss, providing support, education, advocacy, and resources to help individuals and their families live successfully with hearing loss.

The future of board leadership is built on trust, shared purpose, and a culture where every voice is heard.

06/11/2026

This week, I facilitated a Board and staff retreat with CASA of Rock County, WI in Wisconsin. Together, we explored Board Champions: Habits and Practices of Healthy Boards, engaging in meaningful discussions about governance excellence, board culture, accountability, and the behaviors that help organizations thrive. We also spent time focused on strategic planning, identifying priorities and opportunities to strengthen the organization's impact in the years ahead.

CASA of Rock County's mission is to recruit, train, and support community volunteers who advocate for the best interests of children who have experienced abuse or neglect, ensuring that every child's voice is heard.

05/14/2026

What will nonprofit Board governance look like in 2035? Please share your thoughts in the comments!

The future Board will need to be more adaptive, strategic, and future-focused than ever before. The interesting part? Many healthy Boards are already modeling these practices today.

In this new article, I explore emerging trends in nonprofit governance — from generative leadership and AI to Board culture, recruitment, and strategic foresight.
https://www.nielsenconsults.com/latestnews/2026/5/14/k3vezkm1hxyr150r1b6i8o7r9ijjnz

By 2035, nonprofit Board governance will look very different than it does today. Some of those changes are already underway. Others are just beginning to emerge. But one thing feels increasingly clear: the future nonprofit Board will not simply be a smaller version of the Boards we have now. It will

05/05/2026

Grateful for the opportunity to spend time with nonprofit leaders and Board members in Evansville, Indiana for a recent Board Champions 101 session — sponsored by Welborn.

Together, we explored what it takes to build and sustain high-performing boards—clarifying governance roles, strengthening engagement, and embracing the habits that drive meaningful impact.

There’s something powerful about bringing leaders together across organizations to learn, reflect, and grow. The commitment in the room to stronger governance and community impact was clear.

04/28/2026

There is nothing quite like the energy of a Board that is ready to lead!
Last night I facilitated an interactive Board governance session with the dedicated leaders at Camp Hendon. We dove deep into strategic oversight, the nuances of effective stewardship, and how to best support the incredible work they do for the community.

For those unfamiliar with their vital mission, Camp Hendon provides life-changing camp experiences for children with Type 1 Diabetes. They create a safe, supportive environment where kids can learn to manage their health, build lifelong friendships, and—most importantly—just be kids.

Want to see this mission in action? You’re invited to learn more about their upcoming Campfires and Cocktails event, taking place on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at the Sawyer-Hayes Community Center in Louisville, KY.
Get all the details and grab your tickets here: camphendon.org/campfires-and-cocktails

04/08/2026

In this episode of Nonprofit Vision, Gregory Nielsen sits down with Vanessa Wakeman to explore why communications should be treated not as a “nice to have,” but as a core governance function within nonprofit organizations. Together, they unpack how communications intersects with legal, finance, and program strategy—and why elevating it to the governance level can fundamentally reshape how organizations build trust, engage stakeholders, and advance their mission.

If your organization is still treating communications as an afterthought, this conversation offers a compelling case for rethinking its role as a strategic driver of impact.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3bLLoMPFfidS6SNpm9jtTT?si=V1EEoTv4S-qu7_pS6dAEiw

Nonprofit Vision With Gregory Nielsen · Episode

03/31/2026

For nonprofit Board Presidents, the end of a term isn’t the end of leadership—it’s the start of a new kind of impact. From mentoring new leaders to serving as a strategic thought partner, former presidents play a critical role in sustaining strong governance.
In my latest article, I share practical ways past presidents can continue to lead—just differently.
Leadership doesn’t end with the title. It evolves.

When a nonprofit Board President’s term comes to an end, it can feel a bit like stepping off a moving train. For many, the role has been all-consuming—setting agendas, partnering closely with the CEO, and navigating challenges. So what comes next? In my experience working with nonprofit boards a...

03/27/2026

There’s something powerful about connecting how a board governs with where an organization is going.

One of the most impactful moves in strategic planning is integrating a Board Self-Assessment into the process. It grounds the strategy in reality—clarifying strengths, surfacing gaps, and ensuring the board is truly equipped to steward the vision ahead. Strategy doesn’t just live on paper—it lives through governance.

Grateful for the opportunity to facilitate a two-day leadership retreat with San Diego Botanic Garden, where we brought together board governance and strategic planning in a meaningful, integrated way. The conversations were thoughtful, candid, and forward-looking—exactly what strong governance requires.

And the setting? Absolutely stunning. The Garden itself is a reminder of what intentional cultivation can create over time. If you haven’t visited, it’s well worth experiencing.

03/18/2026

In the latest episode of Nonprofit Vision podcast, I sit down with leadership expert Dave Neumann to explore a powerful truth: mission success doesn’t just depend on strategy—it depends on culture.

Together, we unpack how coaching-based leadership behaviors can transform organizational culture, strengthen teams, and ultimately amplify impact. Dave shares practical insights on what it really means to lead as a coach, how everyday leadership habits shape workplace dynamics, and why culture is often the hidden driver behind a nonprofit’s ability to fulfill its mission.

Whether you’re a board member, executive leader, or emerging manager, this conversation will challenge you to think differently about how you show up—and how your leadership style influences the people and purpose you serve.

Nonprofit Vision With Gregory Nielsen · Episode