I believe most nonprofit organizations believe the people they serve deserve the highest levels of excellence they can possibly give them. However, our challenge as nonprofit leaders is that many of us are so focused on serving those outwardly, we don’t spend enough time, talent, and energy on our inward, internal systems that would actually ensure greater impact and greater reach. As a result, we aren’t producing the level of impact we know we’re capable of. In 2010, I founded Life Remodeled, a Detroit-based nonprofit that helps create neighborhood revitalization that lasts. Our first four years were messy, but over the next ten years we were able to invest $56 million into four Detroit neighborhoods, renovate four school buildings, mobilize 87,000 volunteers, and beautify more than 2,600 city blocks. We’ve been recognized as one of the best-managed nonprofits in the region, and Candid and Charity Navigator have awarded us their highest possible ratings. Even more important, we have demonstrated measurable and sustainable outcomes and impact.Life Remodeled was able to build a remarkable team and intentionally scale our impact, because we created and implemented an organizational operating system we call “Next Level Nonprofit.” Next Level Nonprofit is a series of simple, timeless principles that ensure all nonprofit organizations can build the dream teams they are longing for and serve more people, more effectively.Visit nextlevelnonprofit.orgBuy the book "Next Level Nonprofit" on Amazon: https://a.co/d/bFOjRCQ

Life Remodeled works with communities and organizations to create neighborhood revitalization that lasts. Our unique model repurposes vacant properties into one-stop hubs of opportunity where families can thrive. We fill these hubs with the best and brightest nonprofit organizations and facilitate collaboration to create far greater life transformation together than was previously possible alone. Together, we ensure more:1. Students perform at or above grade level in math and reading2. Families have access to essential health and wellness services3. Community members obtain higher paying jobs and achieve economic self-sufficiency

Co-founded a church with my wife, and developed a team-based leadership model shared by a total of four pastors who were equal in authority, but specialized in function. Created a culture where “church” was viewed as a way of life, rather than an event: seeking to love every individual, just the way they were, and inspiring/equipping those who desired to become more like Jesus. Developed inward/outward focused authentic and transparent community. Initiated a movement called “First Serve Sunday,” whereby the first monthly Sunday church service consisted of physical labor to improve our surrounding community, rather than an event inside a building. Upon my departure, I helped Ekklesia merge churches with another church.

Lived in a predominately Muslim village in Liberia with no school or clean water and very few animals. Assimilating into the culture, I resided in a mud hut and ate like the rest of the community. Gaining the trust of the chief and village leadership council, I was invited to help the community achieve their most pressing development needs. Through my relationships with nonprofits and churches, I was able to facilitate the construction of a new elementary school, the drilling of a well, and the acquisition of numerous sheep, goats and chickens.