About Us
Nonprofit Wizards was born in 2014 from the conviction that great leadership–Board, Chief Executive, and Leadership Team–is the key factor in a nonprofit’s effectiveness. We embarked on a quest to distill the knowledge, habits, and practices of effective leaders. We vowed to disseminate our learnings widely.
More than a decade later, we’ve been privileged to work with organizations and leaders all over the United States. We’ve developed a niche in the museums and cultural attractions space, but work with every type of nonprofit. The one requirement is that leaders are hungry to improve their organization, advance their mission, and serve their community.
Every community deserves vibrant nonprofits, every employee deserves a great work experience, and every board member deserves the chance to make a difference.
So, why are we obsessed with wizards?
Sure, we like to be a little bit playful. But it’s not what you think.
The brand is a nod to John Wooden, the legendary coach of UCLA Bruins basketball. Over the 12 years from 1964 to 1975, Coach Wooden’s teams won 10 national championships, a record of success unseen before and unmatched since.
The press dubbed him “the Wizard of Westwood”, an alliterative play on the suburb where UCLA is located. However, Coach Wooden hated this nickname and the implication of his teams using trickery. His philosophy was to focus on fundamentals until achieving mastery.
That’s what Nonprofit Wizards brings to our engagements: a focus on fundamentals and a relentless pursuit of mastery.
We aren’t wizards. But we will help you become so good that your board and staff will think you are.
Mission, Vision, Values
Our Mission
Elevate nonprofit leadership by teaching simple, actionable tools and offering candid, supportive coaching.
Our Vision
We dream of a world where nonprofit organizations achieve mission impact while also being great places to work. Organizations are healthy and boards are no longer dysfunctional.
Our Values
We value simplicity over complexity.
We value systems over heroes.
We value long-term thinking, repetition and compounding gains.
We value Radical Candor.
We value results and accountability.
We value curiosity, grace, and compassion.
Our Team
Darren Macfee
Founder
In more than a decade of consulting, Darren has worked with organizations of various size and scope in all corners of the US. Darren’s passion is learning and teaching the principles employed by successful Chief Executives of nonprofit organizations.
Before consulting, Darren was the Executive Director of the Lincoln Children’s Museum, giving him an intimate understanding of the challenges inherent in leading a staff and reporting to a board of directors. Prior to that, Darren worked in all facets of the development office, culminating as Director of Development for a major hospital.
Darren resides in Lincoln, Nebraska with his wife and children.
Sunnee O'Rork
Affiliated Consultant
Sunnee is the President of O’Rork Consulting and the lead facilitator of the Deputy/Senior Staff Roundtables. Sunnee’s consulting focuses on helping organizations achieve sustainability through strategic planning and customized solutions for increasing mission impact.
Prior to consulting, Sunnee led i.d.e.a. Museum in Mesa, AZ as Executive Director for 15 years. She also served as Deputy Director at Heritage Museums and Gardens in Sandwich, MA. Throughout her career she has served on several nonprofit boards and is a Museum Assessment Peer Reviewer for the American Alliance of Museums, giving her a broad perspective on organizational excellence.
Sunnee makes her home in Mesa, AZ with her husband and pooch.