Meet our Visionaries Behind the Mission: Crystallee Crain and Regina Pinney
In this special blog interview we're excited to spotlight two of our changemakers: Dr. Crystallee Crain, Director of Nonprofit Impact Consulting, and Regina Pinney, Executive Director of Nonprofit Network.
Crystallee brings a dynamic blend of strategic insight, social justice advocacy, and deep-rooted community engagement to her work. Regina, a seasoned nonprofit leader that has been a steadfast force in helping mission-driven organizations thrive.

In this blog series interview, Crystallee interviews Regina on how Nonprofit Network empowers leaders to create lasting community change. By providing tailored support and addressing each organization's unique challenges, Nonprofit Network helps nonprofit leaders and teams thrive. This conversation highlights the importance of listening, understanding core issues, and building sustainable strategies for long-term success. 

Crystallee: Why is this work so important? How do you see the world change through the mission of Nonprofit Network? 

Regina: I can't think of any work of greater value than helping innovative leaders to gain the skills, resources and tools to manifest community change. The work nonprofits do is complex and mired in crucial administrative tasks and essential program outcomes. Having a partner, like Nonprofit Network, helps executives, board members, volunteers, and staff find efficient ways to get the work done AND assist the community served. I truly believe that our work is transformational - we have the powerful opportunity to SERVE others. 

Crystallee: How do you customize your services to meet the unique needs of different organizations? Can you share a fun example? 

Regina: We know that those closest to the problem are the best equipped to find a solution, and the first step to customize our services is to simply listen. I listen a client's story, their desired outcomes, and the capacity they have for change. Often times, a leader comes to us with words they have been told to use (strategic planning, board governance training, etc.), but when I listen - those activities won't actually get them what they need or are developmentally appropriate. Listening allows me to truly hear what the leader is saying, and identify root causes, versus addressing symptoms. 
I once sat with leaders of an organization who shared their story: The organization was less than three years old, had seen some programmatic success and was trying to launch a fundraising campaign to expand. The board was experiencing significant turn over and the founder was ready to move on. The leaders wanted a five-year strategic plan, believing that if they had a plan, they would find sustainability and attract donors. If I had only focused on the request, I would have missed the opportunity to address the underlying reasons why the founder and board members were leaving the organization. We were able to identify the causes of dysfunction and burnout and create strategies to address them. 

Crystallee: How do you ensure that the changes implemented during your consulting engagement are sustainable in the long term? 

Regina: I typically try to incorporate change strategies throughout the process to address implementation as part of the process, rather than after it. This approach allows people to discuss the application of changes or system amendments in a measured way. It also gives organizations the opportunity to practice the changes, assess how the process is working, and identify barriers to success. Additionally, I will suggest ways to keep the changes front and center, such as including them in agendas, the ED's monthly reports, and dashboards. 

Crystallee: Thank you for your precious time Regina! 
Regina: Thank you for the choice in questions Crystallee!

To learn more about Nonprofit Network visit our About Us page. Click here to learn more about our Consulting Services. And to speak to, or learn more about how our Capacity Building Consultants can help you fulfill your mission, you may complete our Speak with a Consultant form. 

Want even more? Click here to sign up for our weekly e-newsletter.  Each week you'll get a link to the most recent news, workshops, and sector updates. We promise to respect your time and will not flood your inbox. We send a weekly Friday e-newsletter and if any important announcements need to be made.