Clarity and Next Steps
For when things feel messy, urgent or hard to hold, and you need to work out what matters most.
You'll leave with:
- clearer priorities
- immediate next steps
- a short written output you can actually use
Charity Consultant
Strategy Systems Responsible AI
Helping charity leaders strengthen what is not holding and work out what needs to happen next.
In small and medium-sized charities, too much often rests with too few people. I work with CEOs to reduce overload, sharpen priorities, and move things forward in a way that feels clearer, steadier and more sustainable.
That might mean strategy, governance, organisational structure, or practical help with digital tools and AI.
You might recognise this:
Too much sits with you
Things have grown quickly, but the structure hasn't kept up
Systems are stretched and reporting feels heavy
You know something needs to change, you're just not sure where to start
Everyone's talking about AI, and you haven't yet worked out how to think about it, or use it responsibly
AI is already showing up in charity work
Staff, volunteers, trustees and partners may already be using AI to draft, summarise, plan, research or rewrite content.
That can be useful. It can also create real risks, especially when personal information, safeguarding or decisions about people are involved.
For charities, AI is not just a productivity question. It is a trust question.
I help organisations understand AI in plain English, work out where it might be useful, where it should not be used, and what needs to be in place before people start relying on it.
Talk to me about responsible AIA few ways I can help
Support shaped around what your organisation actually needs.
Strategy to Delivery Plan
For when you need more than a reset and want a strategy your team and board can actually work from.
You'll leave with:
- a clearer direction
- a practical roadmap
- defined priorities, ownership and milestones
Responsible AI and digital systems
Support to explore AI carefully, improve simple systems and reduce admin without losing trust, care or good judgement.
This can include:
- understanding where AI can genuinely help
- responsible approaches to data, privacy and risk
- practical guidance for teams getting started
Ad Hoc Strategic Support
Experienced support for specific pieces of work that need clearer structure.
This can include:
- salary benchmarking
- LGBT+ inclusion strategy
- governance, reporting and risk
One-to-One Mentoring and Advisory Support
Sometimes you do not need a consultant. This is a practical, supportive space for the things that feel stuck, messy, or difficult to untangle.
We might look at:
- leadership and decision-making
- governance and trustee relationships
- teams, roles and workload
- strategy, funding and sustainability
- AI and digital tools
I can also help with:
- delivery planning
- policy review
- board and trustee papers
- roles and accountability
- systems that haven't kept up with growth
About
As an ex-charity Chief Executive, I know what it's like when teams are stretched, reporting is heavy, and leaders are trying to hold the bigger picture together while dealing with what is right in front of them. I know how lonely it can be, how much leaders carry, and how hard it is to make good decisions when everything feels urgent.
I've worked across strategy, governance, organisational leadership and the practical work that helps charities function well under pressure. That includes strategic planning, board support, salary benchmarking, policy review, LGBT+ inclusion work, and helping organisations strengthen systems and structures that have not kept up.
I work collaboratively and inclusively. I don't use jargon, and I'm not interested in making things sound more complicated than they are.
I'm also interested in how charities use digital tools and AI in ways that are useful, careful and proportionate. For me, that is part of leadership and governance. It is about what information we share, what risks we accept, and where people still need to make the decision.
Fairness, inclusion and social justice have always mattered to me, including speaking at Brighton TEDx about Why the Fight for LGBT+ Young People Is Far From Over.
If you're looking for someone who will listen properly, name things plainly and help you work out what needs to happen next, that's what I do.
What people say
Working with Katie was an incredibly valuable experience. She brought clear structure and proven methodology to the work required to support our charity in developing both operational and strategic plans.
As an emerging organisation Katie's support has been invaluable in helping QTH to envision possibilities while keeping clear about the need for building the right structures and processes. I've learned that getting these right will protect the organisation as it continues to expand and grow.
Katie helped us with salary benchmarking, our pay policy and updated band descriptors. It was a complicated and sensitive piece of work, but Katie brought real clarity and practical judgement to it. The final report, policy and bandings were clear, useful and easy to work with, and she made the whole process feel incredibly straightforward.
Katie took the time to listen carefully to everyone involved and understand the internal processes that needed review. The result was not just a practical roadmap, but an extremely thorough and detailed report that honestly reflected where things had not been working well, and what needed to change.
Katie brought real care and clarity to our pay and benefits review, and produced a rigorous benchmarking report that made the key risks and priorities easy to understand. Her recommendations were practical, values-led and genuinely useful for our planning.
Katie delivered an excellent governance package as part of our learning and development programme for grassroots LGBTQIA+ groups. Both the sessions and resources were thorough and accessible, with real attention given to making sure the content was appropriate and relevant for the audience. Katie was a delight to work with, and made light of what can be a hugely daunting topic!
Thanks so much for the time with Katie - it's been so helpful in supporting me to work out where I am in the process of building a new organisation/business.
Associate Network
I bring in trusted associates when a project needs additional expertise, capacity or sector knowledge.
Associate Consultant
Jess Estcourt
Jess is an experienced charity consultant and senior voluntary sector leader with expertise across organisational development, fundraising, partnerships and strategy.
View Jess on LinkedIn (opens in new tab)Fundraising Consultancy
The Fundraisers
I work with The Fundraisers on selected projects supporting charities with fundraising strategy, cases for support and income development.
Visit The Fundraisers (opens in new tab)Associate Consultant
Frances Duncan
Frances is an experienced charity consultant and former CEO with expertise across strategy, governance, organisational development and change.
View Frances on LinkedIn (opens in new tab)Executive Coaching
April Baker
April is an executive coach and consultant with expertise in ethical AI, leadership and organisational development.
View April's website (opens in new tab)Creative Marketing Agency
Social Firefly
I have worked with Social Firefly previously and recommend them to organisations looking for thoughtful, practical support with social media strategy, content, campaigns and online engagement.
Social Firefly (opens in new tab)Tell me what's going on
You don't need to have it all worked out before you get in touch.
If things feel messy, heavy or unclear, send me an email. If I can help, I will. If I'm not the right fit, I'll always point you towards someone who is.