Author Archive

Lisa Pilar Cowan

is the vice president of the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation and in this capacity she helps with strategy, development and oversight of foundation programs and grantmaking. Lisa has been working with community-based organizations for the last 25 years, first as a community health educator and program director at several youth-serving agencies, then as a senior consultant at Community Resource Exchange. Lisa was the co-founder of College Access: Research and Action, where she continues to act as an advisor. Most recently, Lisa was the principal consultant at Hummingbird Consulting from 2013-2016.
Opinion

Opinion: How Joe Biden’s decision is relevant to nonprofit leadership

We all need to know when to step down, before it hurts the institution.

  • By Lisa Pilar Cowan , NYN Media

Nonprofits
Trade Tips

Providing BIPOC leaders a “Brilliant Transformation” into leadership roles

Here’s what a new study learned and recommended to help integrate leadership transitions successfully into our collective work.

  • By AiLun Ku and Lisa Pilar Cowan , NYN Media

Opinion

As a nonprofit leader, here’s why I practice the ‘Joy at Missing Out’

Pulling back from the public eye allows new colleagues to come in – and for their life experiences, ideas, and visions to come to the fore.

  • By Lisa Pilar Cowan

Opinion

Opinion: Why nonprofit leaders should discuss past mistakes as 2023 gets underway

A new year brings opportunity for worthwhile discussions and there is tremendous relief that comes with chatting about our setbacks and being our true selves when seeking solutions.

  • By Lisa Pilar Cowan

Opinion
Opinion

Finding the joy in social change

How to balance the challenges and fulfillment that come with nonprofit work.

  • By Lisa Pilar Cowan , NYN Media

Nonprofits
Opinion

Commentary: The last week of August is a good time to take off and get deep about your nonprofit

Use those seven days to take a breather and consider the false choice between taking care of ourselves and meeting our missions. Holding both requires new ways of leading.

  • By Lisa Pilar Cowan , NYN Media

Nonprofits
Opinion

I’m not feeling a barbecue this Fourth of July

Two words resonate for me during these challenging times: action and community

  • By Lisa Pilar Cowan

Nonprofits
Opinion

Commentary: Reflections on parenting to widen one’s perspective on nonprofit board work

As children grow older, I and other parents in my Brooklyn neighborhood shifted to purpose-driven parenting, opening ourselves up to caring about the full community, city, country, and planet.

  • By Lisa Pilar Cowan

Nonprofits
Opinion

Opinion: The next generation of nonprofit workers are demanding more for themselves, and we should support them

They should be set up to do meaningful work that helps repair the world, while still living whole, happy, joyful lives.

  • By Lisa Pilar Cowan

Nonprofits
News

Setting up your nonprofit the way you play with LEGOs

  • By Lisa Pilar Cowan

Opinion

Opinion: Nonprofit leaders, like everyone else, are scared and tired during these difficult times

Organizations should come up with ways for everyone involved, including leadership, to take go a little slower and allow for some much-needed grace.

  • By Lisa Pilar Cowan

Opinion
Opinion

Rethinking how nonprofits pay their workforce

  • By Lisa Pilar Cowan

Nonprofits
Opinion

A nonprofit thought leader’s resolutions for a new year: To follow and to fail

  • By Lisa Pilar Cowan

Opinion

Making and taking space

The importance of making structural changes in organizations to support new leaders of color.

  • By Lisa Pilar Cowan

Opinion

What we need from new leadership

According to 15 people running nonprofit organizations, new leaders need to be allies with the ability to listen to those they’re serving.

  • By Lisa Pilar Cowan