A six-month virtual peer cohort for Executive Directors Facilitated by Elizabeth Scott, PhD, Founder & CEO, Brighter Strategies and Funded by Greater Washington Community Foundation
Nonprofit boards are being asked to govern through uncertainty, make high-stakes decisions under pressure, and do more with less — often without a trusted space to think it through with peers who understand. This circle is that space.
Over six months (June–November), a small cohort of Executive Directors from nonprofits across the DC/MD/VA region will meet every other week in a facilitated, psychologically safe virtual environment.Â
Sessions are practical and grounding — part skill-building, part honest peer dialogue, part mutual accountability.Â
Each 75–90 minute session follows a consistent structure:
grounding check-in → skill or framework → peer dialogue → closing commitments.Â
Between sessions, participants share a digital workspace and session resources.
What We’ll Cover
Topics are drawn from what boards and EDs are navigating right now:Â
- strengthening the board-ED partnership
- fiduciary responsibilities and financial oversight
- governing through crisis and uncertainty
- maintaining mission integrity under external pressure
- board roles, accountability, and decision-making authority
Session Schedule
The circle meets on Monday’s at 10 am on:
- June 8
- June 22
- July 6
- July 20
- August 3
- August 17
- August 31
- September 14
- September 28
- October 12
- October 26
- November 9
Who Should Apply
This circle is designed for Executive Directors of nonprofits with annual budgets under $5 million in the DC/MD/VA region. No prior governance training is required, just a genuine commitment to showing up and engaging.Â
We ask participants to commit to the full six months and attend as many sessions as possible; we understand that life happens, but consistent presence is what makes peer cohorts work.
Board Chairs are warmly encouraged to join. We’ll designate at least one session as an open bring-your-chair session; if your Chair would like to attend beyond that, we’ll work it out together.
Space is limited to 12 participants. A brief interest form helps us ensure cohort fit. Accepted applicants will receive notification by May 22.Â
This program is offered at no cost to participants, made possible through a grant from the Greater Washington Community Foundation’s Community Resilience Initiative.
Questions? Contact info@brighterstrategies.com.
Facilitator
Elizabeth Scott, PHD
CEO/President Brighter Strategies
Liz founded Brighter Strategies and has over 20 years of expertise in change management, strategic planning, and human capital development. Prior to founding Brighter Strategies, Liz served as the vice president of strategy and performance development for a large human service agency. Liz also provided a wide range of management consulting services to federal, state, and local government clients through her earlier career experience.
Liz is a respected and sought-after speaker on the topics of culture, leadership, and strategy. She has taught graduate-level courses in organizational diagnosis and assessment, change management, and culture, as well as statistics, data collection, and evaluation design.
Liz has a doctorate and a master’s in human and organizational systems from Fielding University. She also holds a bachelor’s in sociology and a master’s in organizational management from George Washington University. She is the author of the upcoming book, The Ripple Effect.