Our Team Kat & Mouse storytelling sessions often begin with a simple but important question: What brought you to the mission? The answer is what fuels our work and allows nonprofit professionals to speak authentically about the impact their organizations have on the communities they serve. But even the deepest passion can become buried beneath daily responsibilities, deadlines, and competing priorities. When that happens, organizations often face an important question:Can you manage your way...

Earlier this month, I went on my annual “Girls Weekend” with my four college besties. Not surprisingly, our conversations have evolved over the years. This time, instead of dissecting college applications or early career decisions, we found ourselves talking about caring for our aging parents—and making sure our own financial and estate plans are in order. Some of the questions were practical (When should we start taking social security?) and others led to more philosophical discussions....

At the beginning of 2026, like many people looking for a fresh start, I spent some time choosing a “word for the year.” I hoped it would guide me through a year that I already knew might be complicated — and maybe help keep one of my personal tendencies in check: the instinct to disconnect when things get overwhelming. I wanted a word that would remind me to stay present. The word I chose was AVAILABLE . There are a lot of people counting on me (more on that in a bit), and I want to be...