Mollard Consulting is pleased to welcome Kate Smith on board as managing director — and we knew you’d want to meet her, too. With more than 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Kate brings deep expertise in fundraising, strategy, and organizational development.
Liz from our team recently sat down with Kate to learn about her journey into nonprofit work, what motivates her every day, and what she’s most excited about in her new role.
What first drew you to working in the nonprofit sector?
Kate didn’t initially plan to build a career in nonprofits.
“Like many people, I accidentally found myself working in the nonprofit sector,” she said. Her first role was with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and in the 22 years since then, she has worked across development, capacity building, and consulting. Throughout those roles, one thing has remained clear to her: the impact that nonprofits have on individuals and communities is incredibly meaningful.
“I’m grateful to have the opportunity to help support that work,” she said.
You describe yourself as a problem solver. How does that show up in your day-to-day work?
For Kate, problem-solving is less about having all the answers and more about helping others find clarity.
“As consultants, our role is to partner with clients to help solve complex challenges,” she explained. “By nature, I’m a helper and a fixer.”
In practice, that means listening closely, asking thoughtful questions, and acting as a true thought partner to both colleagues and clients.
“It’s not always about having the solution right away,” she said. “Often it’s about helping people clarify their thinking, see new possibilities, and move forward with confidence.”
How do you approach building relationships and trust with new clients or teams?
For Kate, strong relationships start with authenticity and follow-through.
“I try to show up as my authentic self in every interaction,” she said. “Being a strong listener, communicating clearly, and following through on commitments goes a long way in building trust.”
When people feel heard and know they can rely on someone, it creates the kind of partnership where real progress can happen.
How do strong systems and processes impact an organization’s long-term success?
Kate believes strong foundations allow organizations to grow sustainably.
“Having a solid foundation helps teams, regardless of their size, create sustainability and level up their work,” she explained.
While systems and processes are not always seen as the most exciting work, investing the time to create and be grounded in them prepares organizations for future leaps.
“When those pieces are in place, teams are ready to think creatively and move forward when opportunities arise,” she said.
Can you share a project or experience that had a lasting impact on how you approach your work today?
One experience early in Kate’s consulting career stands out. She worked on a feasibility study for a children’s services organization that was considering expanding or rebuilding its facility.
The organization had strong community support, but local leaders asked important questions about long-term planning. The feasibility findings showed that more work was needed before moving forward with a campaign.
“It wasn’t the news the board hoped to hear,” Kate said.
But the board trusted the process. They took the time to refine their plans and strengthen their approach. When they eventually launched the campaign, it was successful.
“The experience reinforced that the answers aren’t always easy,” Kate said. “But good can come from honesty, integrity, and thoughtful partnership.”
Can you share a particularly memorable fundraising campaign?
Kate points to a campaign from her time at Metroparks Toledo to create the Glass City Riverwalk in downtown Toledo.
The project is transforming the city’s waterfront by connecting neighborhoods, converting vacant brownfields into green space, and creating a world-class public park along the river.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime type of project that is truly changing Toledo for the better,” she said. “The benefits will impact not only our community today, but for generations to come.”
What are you most excited about as you step into this new role?
At the center of Kate’s excitement is the opportunity to build relationships.
“I’m most excited to build connections both with our team and with the nonprofit organizations we serve,” she said. “Supporting both our clients and our internal team in meaningful ways is what makes this work so rewarding.”
What are your go-to sayings?
One phrase Kate often shares with her daughters is simple but powerful.
“Good gets good.”
“It’s a reminder that what we focus on tends to grow,” she explained. Even in challenging moments, choosing to look for the good, or be the good, can create positive momentum.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Perhaps surprisingly for a consultant, Kate would remind her younger self to trust the process and not feel like every step needs to be perfectly planned.
“Some of the most meaningful opportunities come from unexpected places,” she said.
She would also encourage herself to speak up sooner.
“Your perspective has value, even before you feel completely ready.”
P.S. A fun fact about Kate: From January through July, she spends most weekends traveling with her daughters for club volleyball tournaments. She’s seen more convention centers across the Midwest than she can count and is very familiar with tournament hoodies and açaí bowls (if you know, you know).
