After more than 30 years of work with nonprofit organizations, Dawn Fisk-Thomsen knows a thing or two about what makes a nonprofit tick.
That?s why 10 years ago, she launched her own consulting practice, Columbia-based DFT & Associates Inc., which works exclusively with the nonprofit sector.
While she provides several services, including strategic planning, business plan development, management audits and financial recovery, the focus of Fisk-Thomsen?s work is helping nonprofits transition when an executive director leaves.
“These days, nonprofit work is very professional and it?s recognized that these transition periods are marvelous opportunities to increase the organization?s capacity building,” said Fisk-Thomsen. “The most beneficial piece for an organization that is coming through a transition … is that it is an opportunity to stop and look ahead.”
Fisk-Thomsen added that in many cases she act as an organization?s interim executive director while the organization searches for a permanent replacement so there is no lapse in executive coverage.
She chose to start the consulting practice after working as an executive at nonprofits nationwide.
“Everywhere I went it was an organization that was struggling with change and generally not doing well with the changes,” said Fisk-Thomsen. “Organizations lose traction during those periods of time.”
Since starting her company, Fisk-Thomsen has worked with 30 different organizations. Currently, she is interim chief executive officer for the YWCA of Greater Baltimore. Carla O?Donoghue, president of the YWCA board, says Fisk-Thomsen?s help has been invaluable during the transitional period.
