Nonprofit Leadership Series- Tasha Van Vlack
Welcome to my new Nonprofit Leadership Series. I’ll be spotlighting changemakers who are redefining what it means to lead with purpose in today’s nonprofit landscape.
To kick things off, I had the privilege of interviewing Tasha Van Vlack, Director of Community and Marketing at The Nonprofit Hive and CEO of Community Hives. Tasha has built one of the most inspiring and impactful communities in our sector, connecting thousands of nonprofit professionals across the globe for honest, human conversations that foster belonging, mentorship, and shared learning.
I was thrilled when she agreed to take part in this first interview. Her insights on leadership, community, and redefining mentorship are a reminder that connection is not just a nice-to-have in our work- it’s essential to sustaining it.
1. For those who may be new to your work, can you share a little about The Nonprofit Hive and Community Hives?
The Nonprofit Hive is a free global community where nonprofit professionals connect one-on-one for honest, human conversations. We’ve had thousands of “Hive Chats” between people who might never have crossed paths otherwise — from fundraisers in Canada to program managers in Kenya to board members in India.
Out of that, we built Community Hives, a platform that helps other organizations do the same thing — to bring their networks or members together for intentional, one-to-one connection. It’s been amazing to see associations, foundations, and global initiatives using it to strengthen their communities in ways that go far beyond webinars or LinkedIn groups.
2. What challenges are you hearing most often from nonprofit professionals in 2025?
Honestly, people are tired. There’s this mix of compassion fatigue, funding uncertainty, and constant change — whether it’s AI, shifting donor behavior, or just trying to do more with less.
But underneath that, what I hear most is a craving for belonging. Nonprofit professionals are longing to feel less isolated in their work — to talk to someone who gets it without judgment, without agenda. That’s the heartbeat of everything we do.
3. You’ve helped foster thousands of connections through the Nonprofit Hive. Is there a particular success story or testimonial that really captures what this community is all about?
There’s one story I always think about — a fundraiser at an arts organization in Texas matched with a founder from Uganda working with refugee children to learn art skills. They went into the chat thinking it would be a quick networking call, but she ended up teaching him fundraising and supporting campaigns. They then went on to meet in person when he was selected for the opportunity to come to the US as a foundation recipient!
Another Hive member once said, “It’s like therapy for my professional life.” I think that captures it perfectly — it’s not about fixing something, it’s about being seen, and that simple act has ripple effects across teams and missions.
4. How has leading a growing platform like The Nonprofit Hive shaped or challenged your own understanding of leadership?
It’s forced me to redefine leadership — away from control and toward trust. In a community-driven space, leadership looks like creating the conditions for others to thrive, not holding all the answers.
There’s also humility in realizing that belonging doesn’t scale by accident. Every “system” we build — from our matching process to our communications — has to protect that human heartbeat. It’s a daily reminder that leading with empathy isn’t soft; it’s strategy.
5. You’ve spoken before about the power of mentorship in the nonprofit sector. How has mentorship, both giving and receiving it, influenced your career and your approach to building community?
For most of my career, I didn’t really have a mentor. I was usually in small teams or wearing a dozen hats, just figuring things out as I went. I often felt a bit lost in the woods — passionate about the work but untethered, like I was building the map while walking it.
It wasn’t until I started investing in peer connections that things shifted. Those conversations — the honest, curious, “me too” kind of chats — gave me a sense of grounding I hadn’t felt before. They reminded me that mentorship doesn’t always look like one person guiding another. Sometimes it’s two people walking alongside each other, sharing light from their own corners of the path.
That’s really what shaped The Nonprofit Hive. It’s mentorship reimagined — less about hierarchy, more about humanity.
6. As both The Nonprofit Hive and Community Hives continue to scale, what have you learned about building systems and processes that support growth without losing the human touch?
We’ve learned that systems should hold humans, not replace them. Every automation or process we create starts with the question: “Does this make people feel more connected or more like data?”
It’s about designing for ease, not efficiency alone — things like personalized intros, simple scheduling, or feedback loops that actually get read. Growth is great, but the moment people stop feeling like they matter, you’ve lost the point.
7. Nonprofit leaders today are navigating constant change, including funding volatility, AI disruption, and burnout. What is your go-to piece of advice for fundraisers and leaders who are trying to stay grounded and effective right now?
Stay connected to why you started. The work will always be messy and unpredictable, but purpose is what steadies you when the ground shifts.
Also, don’t confuse visibility with value. In an age of algorithms, sometimes the most strategic thing you can do is slow down and build real relationships. You can’t automate trust.
8. You’ve built something that bridges digital and human connection beautifully. What advice would you give to founders or leaders trying to create authentic community in a virtual world?
Start small. Community doesn’t begin at scale — it starts with two people.
Be intentional about creating spaces for depth, not just engagement metrics. People don’t join communities for features; they stay for the feeling of being known. So build that first, and the rest will follow.
9. Anything else you want to share that I didn't ask about!
Just that I think we’re entering a new era of community — one that’s less about visibility and more about belonging. My hope is that The Nonprofit Hive continues to model what’s possible when you focus on depth over breadth.
Lightning Round:
1. Favorite candy or baked good? Anything with lemon — bonus points if it’s tart
2. Favorite thing to do outside of work? Wandering small towns, drinking a beer with my husband while reading a great book in a cozy pub with a fire.
3. Favorite meal, home-cooked or from a restaurant? I love some spicy Indian food (even better if I didn’t have to cook).
4. Favorite recent book, podcast, or show? I am a real sci-fi nerd so I've been getting into the new Alien tv show! For reading I am deep into "Belonging Without Othering."
5. Your go-to de-stressing activity when times get tough? Puzzles!
A huge thank you to Tasha for sharing her time and wisdom in this conversation, and for the incredible work she continues to lead through The Nonprofit Hive and Community Hives.
If you haven’t already, I highly recommend checking out The Nonprofit Hive and joining one of their weekly Hive Chats, held on Thursdays at 8:30am, 12:30pm, or 4:30pm EST. It’s one of the most genuine and energizing spaces for nonprofit professionals I’ve encountered.
And if you’re a consultant or tech provider, consider sponsoring a week of Hive Chats—I’ve sponsored twice myself and found each opportunity to be very worthwhile. The sessions are thoughtfully organized, community-driven, and a great way to support connection across the sector.
👉 Visit The Nonprofit Hive
👉 Learn more about Community Hives