Welcoming Our Incoming
President and CEO, Pherabe Kolb
Nonprofit Leadership Alliance Names Pherabe Kolb as President and CEO
The Nonprofit Leadership Alliance has named Pherabe Kolb as its next President and CEO, effective April 6, 2026. She will lead the organization as it continues its work to strengthen the nonprofit workforce through training and certification at every stage of a nonprofit professional’s career.
At a time when the nonprofit sector employs roughly one in ten American workers and faces increasing pressure to meet growing community needs, developing a well-prepared workforce has never been more important. The Alliance plays a critical role in this effort���having credentialed more than 13,000 Certified Nonprofit Professionals across all 50 states and more than a dozen countries.
“Pherabe is perfectly suited to lead the Alliance and continue driving its impact in the sector,” said Jacky Alling, Board Member and Search Committee Chair. “She has a keen understanding of the needs of mission-driven organizations of all sizes, and an ambitious vision to move the sector forward.”
Pherabe Kolb brings more than 30 years of experience across nonprofit management, strategy, and operations. She has held leadership roles at institutions including the Aspen Institute and the Smithsonian Institution, and most recently advised mission-driven organizations through her consulting practice, Reveillon Solutions. Her work has focused on strengthening strategy, operations, and organizational effectiveness to help nonprofits expand their impact.
In this new role, Kolb will work closely with nonprofit leaders, university partners, and Certified Nonprofit Professionals to support the evolving needs of the sector and the people driving its impact.
“Nonprofits are facing unprecedented challenges right now and we must step up to meet their needs,” said Kolb. “The Alliance’s 77-year legacy uniquely positions it to support and empower the people of this critical workforce whose lives are devoted to serving the public and the greater good. I look forward to listening and engaging with our alumni, partners, and the wider network of nonprofit leaders to craft a brighter future together.”
Kolb succeeds Dorothy Norris-Tirrell, Ph.D., ACNP, who led the Alliance for the past decade and helped expand its programs and partnerships, positioning the organization for its next chapter.
About the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance
The Nonprofit Leadership Alliance is a national nonprofit founded in 1948 to develop a well-prepared and talented nonprofit workforce at every stage of their careers. Its flagship programs—the Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) credential and Leaderosity—equip current and aspiring nonprofit leaders with the knowledge, skills, and real-world experience needed to succeed in social-impact careers. Through a national network of university partners and online professional development programs, the Alliance has credentialed more than 13,000 Certified Nonprofit Professionals working across the sector across 50 states and more than a dozen countries.