THE SECRET
It's not about doing more. ​It's about amplifying what only you can do.
While others are caught in the endless cycle of scaling programs without scaling leadership, these organizations have cracked the code. They've brought in strategic operators who can match their vision with equal parts strategy and execution—freeing the CEO to work at their highest level.
I'm Joy Knox and I give nonprofit CEOs the gift of focus.
For over 20 years, I've been that secret weapon for transformational leaders. From launching statewide initiatives to orchestrating multi-million dollar collaborations, I create the operational excellence that lets visionaries do what they do best: envision and lead.
How I create your gift of focus:
I don't parachute in with templates or "best practices." I embed as your fractional Chief of Staff.
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When we partner, I become part of your organization's DNA—learning your unique context, understanding your stakeholders, and seeing both the possibilities and the complexities you navigate daily.
This isn't consulting. It's strategic partnership at the deepest level.
Here's what the gift of focus looks like:
When you partner with me, suddenly:
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That complex multi-stakeholder initiative runs smoothly without your constant attention
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The infrastructure you've been needing simply appears and works
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Your vision comes with the operational blueprints that unlock major funding—because we know exactly what we're building and how
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Strategic decisions get implemented with precision while you're focused on the next big thing
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You have space to think, strategize, and lead at the level your mission demands
Fractional Chief of Staff
As your fractional Chief of Staff, I work differently than other senior roles:
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Unlike an Executive Assistant, I don't manage calendars—I manage strategic initiatives. While EAs excel at day-to-day support, I focus on medium to long-term planning that transforms how your organization operates.
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Unlike a COO, I don't run departments—I connect them. I work across fundraising, programs, operations, finance, and administration to ensure everyone's pulling in the same direction.
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What makes me unique: I operate at every level—from board strategy to front-line implementation. I influence through insight rather than authority. And I can scale my involvement to match your needs—fractional, project-based, or deeply embedded.
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Think of me as your organizational connector—the person who ensures all your pieces work as one powerful whole.
Meet Your Fractional Chief of Staff
I'm a strategic generalist who multiplies nonprofit CEO impact.
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My journey started on the floor of a small Oregon church, folding bulletins while my pastor father juggled everything from board meetings to mission trips. Even as a kid, I was the one reorganizing the donation closet—not because anyone asked, but because I saw how good systems could preserve dignity and make missions actually work.
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That early insight shaped everything: Great missions need more than good intentions. They need someone who can connect all the dots.
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Today, I'm that connector. With 20+ years embedded in nonprofits, I've mastered what David Epstein calls "range"—the ability to see patterns across disciplines that specialists miss. Where others see separate challenges in fundraising, operations, and programs, I see interconnected systems waiting to be aligned.
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My generalist advantage means I:
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Learn your context quickly and see opportunities others overlook
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Connect ideas from different sectors to solve your unique challenges
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Build elegant solutions that work because they're designed for how you actually operate
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Navigate between strategy and execution, vision and implementation, with equal fluency
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Background:
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20+ years building infrastructure for BIPOC-led nonprofits and foundations
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Currently pursuing a Masters in Strategic Management at Harvard Extension
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Orchestrated partnerships yielding $22M+ in new funding
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Based in Colorado, partnering with visionaries nationwide
I believe clarity is kindness, dignity lives in the details, and your vision deserves operational support as thoughtful as your mission.
Joy Knox