Leading a growing nonprofit is exciting—but let’s be honest, it can also feel pretty isolating! When your budget expands, your programs scale, and operations double, the demands on your leadership seem to shift overnight.

"As a founder, there can be a lot of shame when you don't know how to do something," shares Eva Maria Lewis, Founder and Executive Director of Free Root Operation (FRO).

When Eva Maria joined SVP Chicago’s Fast Pitch program in 2025, FRO was experiencing rapid growth. She knew that to reach the next level, her organization needed to transition from an early-stage board to a dynamic, highly engaged working board.

Like many executive leaders, Eva Maria was used to asking for help and getting generic advice or a list of articles—not the actual, hands-on help needed to get things done. That all changed when she was connected with SVP Partner and Governance Chair, Debbie Nutley.

Building a Real Game Plan (Together!)

What started as a simple request to review bylaws quickly turned into a true, roll-up-your-sleeves collaboration. Instead of just throwing standard legal rules at the problem, Debbie took an intentional, empathetic approach:

"I always start out by putting myself in the Community Partner's shoes and really understanding where the need is coming from," Debbie says. "They may have said, 'I want to do X because I want to achieve Y,’ but there may be a different way to achieve Y, and that's where my expertise comes in."

Together, they overhauled FRO’s bylaws and created customized board accountability tools and give-get agreements. Debbie brought the strategic legal expertise, while Eva Maria built the pitch deck to present the changes to her team.

"She didn't just do the task, I came out with a game plan," Eva Maria reflects. "We had genuine thought partnership."

Real Results, Real Confidence

Armed with new governance tools and a clear strategy, Eva Maria successfully passed the updated bylaws and onboarded an active working board—which now includes fellow SVP Partner Karrie Miner. Today, FRO’s board members are proactively writing role descriptions, editing grant applications, and hosting fundraising events.

Most importantly, the partnership gave Eva Maria the space and support to grow as a leader. 

"We have the infrastructure, and we have the mechanisms to actually be held accountable," Eva Maria shared. "More than anything, I'm gaining a lot of confidence."

A Note to Our Community Partners:

Whether you're navigating board governance, strategic planning, or operational growth, remember: you don't have to figure it all out by yourself. Real thought partnership is built on collaboration, trust, and having people in your corner who truly care about your mission!