Boards That Add Value: Rethinking Nonprofit Governance

​Event Description

Nonprofit boards are meant to provide strategic guidance, accountability, and support. Yet in practice, many boards struggle to move beyond governance on paper to becoming truly effective partners in an organization’s success.

This discussion explores what it takes to build boards that actively contribute to fundraising, strategy, and leadership, while staying grounded in the realities of nonprofit work. How can organizations ensure their boards have the right mix of expertise, experience, and engagement? What changes when board members understand the operational challenges firsthand?

We will also examine how governance needs to evolve in a more complex and fast-moving environment, where leaders are making higher-stakes decisions under pressure. The session will explore practical approaches to building stronger relationships between boards and executive teams, clarifying roles, and creating structures that enable both support and accountability.

​Speakers

• ​Abhinav Khanal is Co-Founder of multiple social impact initiatives, supporting women coffee farmers in Latin America and helping early-stage leaders become funder-ready.

• ​Elizabeth Atherton is COO of Nuru, leading finance, marketing, and partnerships to strengthen locally led organizations across Africa.

​
Discussion Questions
What distinguishes a high-performing board from one that is effective only on paper?
How can organizations build boards with the right expertise and level of engagement?
What role should boards play in fundraising, strategy, and day-to-day support?
How can governance models evolve to meet the demands of an increasingly complex environment?