Tammi Fleming

In this dynamic and engaging presentation at The Gathering conference, hosted by the Baltimore Children & Youth Fund, I led an interactive Board Building Bootcamp for nonprofit leaders and grantees. The session focused on the key responsibilities of nonprofit boards, with practical tools for strengthening governance, improving decision-making, and increasing organizational impact. Participants were guided through the process of assessing their current boards using a customized Board Matrix, a tool I developed to help nonprofits evaluate board strengths and gaps. Together, we explored strategies to build more diverse, effective boards that can drive sustainable growth and impact. By the end of the session, attendees walked away with a clear action plan for enhancing board effectiveness and advancing their mission.

In this TED Talk-style presentation at the Department of Labor’s Women’s Bureau Staff Development Retreat, I addressed the common divide between career staff and political appointees by exploring the logical fallacy of the false dilemma. I challenged the misconception that these two groups are inherently at odds, presenting the reality that their unique strengths—when brought together—complement each other and cover critical blind spots. Through real-life examples, I demonstrated how some of the best work within the department has been achieved through collaboration between these two groups. I also provided actionable insights into how fostering mutual understanding and leveraging diverse perspectives can lead to more effective leadership, innovative solutions, and stronger organizational outcomes.