Testimonials

“Sophia has been a valuable partner to create our new strategic plan. She is experienced, a clear thinker and writer, and successfully able to facilitate a large offsite board retreat and incorporate many voices and priorities into a final document.”

“I appreciate working with Sophia.  She has helped me think through my goals for giving and identify what causes matter most to me.  We work together on researching nonprofits and ensuring the gifts are used as intended.”

“Thank you again, Sophia, for getting us on the right path on our strategic planning and governance projects. I feel more supported than ever and am grateful.”

“With Sophia, we envisioned, planned, and completed several projects crucial to our Foundation’s mission. The Schuler Initiative to support liberal-arts colleges greatly benefitted from Sophia Shaw and Associates’ engagement. Their expertise and sound counsel have been very helpful to our family and senior staff.”

“Art Collins has provided me and the CHOP board of trustees extremely practical and valuable counsel.”

“The Seraj Library Project is very fortunate to have found Sophia. She is intensely focused. She listens well. She grasped our mission quickly. She identified key areas in which we could improve. And she does not waste any time. In all, a perfect match.”

“The practical advice that Art Collins provided me and the board as we built our business and navigated the process to sell the company was invaluable. His experience as a seasoned CEO and board member was particularly helpful to me during my first CEO role, and he always made himself available to advise on matters related to our team, product, and industry. Art’s domain expertise in the medical industry was especially impactful in our go-to-market approach and during the successful sale of the company.”

“Our board has worked with Sophia on a wide range of topics related to governance. She lends not only her years of experience leading and working with nonprofit boards, but also her insights from her tenure as adjunct professor and program director of Kellogg Board Fellows at Northwestern University’s business school. She cares deeply about her work and is incredibly supportive and encouraging. It was a privilege to work with Sophia and I am grateful for her informed counsel and candid insights.”

“Sophia’s success as president & CEO of the Chicago Botanic Garden makes her an excellent source of knowledge for any organization whose mission brings people and nature together for joy, learning, and conservation.”

“The training session Sophia conducted for the Lake County Forest Preserves board was insightful and well received by both the board and staff.”

“Sophia has been an excellent contributor to Kellogg’s nonprofit executive program as well as Kellogg Board Fellows. We were also pleased she shared her perspective on the importance of nonprofit revenue streams in our Allstate video series.”

“Thank you for your work, Sophia! Your presentation was spot on with a great balance of enthusiasm and opportunity along with a realistic to do list! I think all on the board see a clearer mandate.”