By Erin Manske
I’m thrilled to join Spectrum Nonprofit Services as a Strategy Consultant in a role that aligns with my passion for strengthening organizations that strengthen communities.
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside extraordinary leaders across government, philanthropy, and the nonprofit sector. It is inspiring to collaborate with people who pour their hearts into solving some of our most complex challenges. From expanding access to school-based mental health services to driving juvenile justice reforms that reduced youth incarceration, my work has always centered on one belief: lasting change happens when strategy and values move in tandem.
That’s exactly what drew me to Spectrum.
Founded on the understanding that mission, strategy, and financial health are inseparable, Spectrum partners with nonprofits and philanthropies to build clarity, confidence, and lasting impact. The firm’s approach doesn’t stop at strategic plans, either. Spectrum supports leaders connect data to decisions, vision to possibility, and passion to practical steps forward.
At its core, the work is about listening deeply, asking the right questions, and helping organizations see their own power with a fresh perspective. As a Strategy Consultant, I’ll collaborate with leaders to assess mission alignment, analyze financial sustainability, and surface actionable strategies that position their organizations for long-term success.
I’ll also get to do what I love most: create meaningful action out of complexity. Whether through stakeholder interviews, focus groups, or data synthesis, I’ll help translate ideas into plans that people can rally around. Along the way, I’ll contribute to Spectrum’s thought leadership by writing about emerging trends, sharing tools that strengthen nonprofit leadership, and learning from peers across the sector.
Joining Spectrum feels like both a continuation and an evolution of my journey. I’ve spent my career building bridges between state agencies and tribal leaders, between law enforcement and behavioral health providers, between data and human stories. Spectrum offers a space where that bridge-building instinct can thrive, surrounded by colleagues who share my belief that strong strategy is as much about people as it is about plans.
I’m especially inspired by the firm’s commitment to equity and sustainability, not as buzzwords, but as organizing principles. Nonprofits are navigating unprecedented complexity, economic shifts, leadership transitions, and evolving community needs and Spectrum’s work gives them the clarity and confidence to lead through it all.
As I step into this new chapter, I’m energized by the opportunity to support organizations doing the important work of making communities stronger, fairer, and more connected. I’m ready to listen, learn, and contribute to solutions that honor both heart and strategy.
I’m jumping in with gratitude for where I’ve been, excitement for where I’m headed, and deep respect for the changemakers I’ll get to learn from and partner with along the way. Here’s to the next phase of the journey!
Photo by Matt Howard on Unsplash