About Isabelle

I am a nonprofit executive and strategic advisor with more than two decades of experience leading organizations, cross-sector initiatives, and community-centered systems work focused on youth, families, education, and equity.

My professional background spans executive leadership, operations, policy implementation, organizational development, grants management, and collaborative systems change. Across roles including CEO, Executive Director, Policy Director, and strategic consultant, I have led organizations through periods of growth, transition, operational redesign, funding complexity, and organizational change.

I have worked across public systems, philanthropy, education, and nonprofit leadership environments, managing complex stakeholder relationships while helping organizations strengthen operational sustainability, strategic clarity, and mission alignment.

Areas of Focus:

  • Executive leadership and organizational transition

  • Operations and infrastructure development

  • Grants management and funding strategy

  • Cross-sector partnership development

  • Team leadership and organizational culture

  • Policy and systems collaboration

  • Program design and implementation

  • Stakeholder engagement and facilitation

Leadership Experience:

  • CEO of African Library Project

  • Executive Director of California School-Age Consortium

  • Children & Youth Development Policy Director at Safe Passages

  • Associate Director for Public Interest Programs at UC Law San Francisco

Earlier in my career, I worked directly with children and families as a teacher, early childhood center director, and program leader supporting youth and families experiencing homelessness.

Education:

I hold a Juris Doctor from UC Law San Francisco, a Master’s degree in International and Intercultural Management, and a lifelong commitment to equity, community partnership, and sustainable leadership.

Approach:

At Gutsy Mama LLC, I partner with nonprofit leaders and mission-driven organizations navigating complexity, transition, and growth. My work focuses on helping leaders strengthen organizational effectiveness while building systems and practices capable of sustaining both mission and the people carrying it forward.

I am particularly drawn to organizations and leaders working at the intersection of systems change, community partnership, education, and long-term organizational sustainability.