In Somali, the word xukuma [hoo.koo.ma] means “life the way you want it to be."
After 20 years of working with leading institutions, inspiring leaders, and exciting start-ups, in and out of the non-profit sector, I founded Xukuma, LLC, to pursue my “xukuma” and work with for-impact organizations to help them capture their own.
Xukuma, LLC services include, but are not limited to:
Currently, these services are delivered through:
The Paul E. Singer Foundation supports innovative and effective organizations that strengthen our American democracy and democracies around the world. Work with portfolio grantees and the PESF team focusing on developing and strengthening capacity for national and international NGOs.
Lead turn-around and held responsible for the Foundation’s annual and long-term fundraising efforts, including planned giving and endowment, direct marketing, major gifts, and regional fundraising. Supervise regional fundraising, human resources, leadership and engagement, board relations, communications and marketing, IT, and data analytics. Supervise 40 employees, and deploy an annual operating budget of $10M.
Played a key role in the re-direction of SeaChange, including branding and communications, real estate, vendor contract renegotiation, investor recommitment, human resources, operations, and work-flow design. Founded by Goldman Sachs, SeaChange uses a variety of tools to help nonprofits, initially in the education and youth development space, address complex challenges. These include grants, loans, consulting, referrals, and the insights we’ve gained doing the work. Managed new business, outreach, and external relations with foundations, prospective nonprofit clients, and individuals, resulting in revenue of $200K and raising $1.2M fund for non-profit collaboration in New York City. Supervised human resources, operations, and communications functions, including website, social media, print collateral, and events.
Held responsibility for developing the organization’s membership strategy for an 800-member network of philanthropists.
Worked closely with senior staff and board to identify major donor prospects, in addition to writing grant proposals and reports, coordinating fundraising events, and identifying new fundraising channels.
Identified, developed, and provided stewardship to corporate and foundation funding prospects and existing donors.
Conceived, researched, budgeted, shot, wrote, and edited pieces for PrimeTime Live, Nightline, and news coverage. Produced breaking news coverage and live shots for World News Tonight with Peter Jennings. Served as Overnight Senior Producer and acting Deputy Supervising Producer for 30-person Good Morning America Field and Series Unit. Required to become an immediate expert on any subject on a compressed timeline, sometimes overnight.
Support Center is a nonprofit capacity building organization created as part of an international network of management support organizations (Support Centers of America) originally established in 1971. We have been a trusted partner to nonprofits in the greater New York/New Jersey/Connecticut area for more than 30 years. Support Center specializes in organizational development, consulting, and executive transition.
At The Well's mission is to connect women around the world through transformative practices inspired by ancient Jewish Wisdom. We envision a world where all women are connected to their bodies, spiritual practices, and community. At The Well works to inspire women to empower themselves, live whole lives, and lift each other up. As founding board chair, I launched and built ATW's first board and chaired it for five years.
Association of Nonprofit Specialists
National Network of Consultants to Grantmakers
Alliance for Nonprofit Management