Marie Stravlo

Marie Stravlo

With over 15 years of experience in non-profit governance and operations, Marie Stravlo specializes in helping organizations build strong, effective boards that drive mission-focused success. She is passionate about creating governance structures that empower volunteer leaders to set strategic priorities and clear policies—allowing staff and volunteers to execute the organization’s goals effectively. Her commitment to non-profit excellence is demonstrated by her credentials, including the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation and her role as both a graduate and faculty member of the US Chamber of Commerce Institute of Organizational Management (IOM). These achievements reflect her dedication to best practices, ethics, and sustainable leadership in the sector. Through Governance Gal®, Marie provides expert consulting on governance best practices. She has helped numerous non-profits strengthen their bylaws, policies, and procedures, improve board orientations, restructure for efficiency, revitalize volunteer engagement, and develop strategic plans that drive long-term success. As the CEO of Avlo Solutions, an association management company, Marie and her team support non-profits with daily operations such as bookkeeping, member services, board and volunteer engagement, elections, event planning, and more. She also serves as the Executive Director for two association clients (one national and one state chapter), a role she has held for the past nine years. Marie’s ability to connect with volunteers in a meaningful way is rooted in her own experience serving as a volunteer. Having held leadership roles as president, vice president, treasurer, trustee, and director for various local and national non-profits, she understands the challenges and perspectives of both staff and volunteers. This unique insight allows her to facilitate solutions that benefit all stakeholders.

KPIs vs. OKRs: What Nonprofit Boards Should Really Focus On

Strategic planning loves its acronyms. And few get tossed around more casually—or confused more often—than KPIs and OKRs. They sound alike, show up in the same conversations, and occasionally spark more debate than they probably deserve.  But here’s the truth:…

The Micromanaging Board: How to Pull Back Without Checking Out

If you’ve ever sat in a board meeting and thought, “Why are we spending 20 minutes debating font sizes on the gala invitation?” — this one’s for you.  Micromanagement is the boardroom version of helicopter parenting. It often comes from…

Why Board Orientation Isn’t Optional (And What to Include)

Let’s get one thing clear: board orientation is not a nice-to-have—it’s a must. It’s more than a welcome packet or a PowerPoint at the first meeting. Orientation is a strategic investment in your board’s effectiveness, your organization’s stability, and the…

The Risk-Reward Equation: How to Assess Risks as a Board

Introduction: Calculated Risks for Lasting Success  For boards, taking risks can feel daunting—but avoiding them altogether is often a greater gamble. As organizations evolve, boards must consider bold moves that keep them relevant and innovative. However, not all risks are…

10 Intangible Benefits of Association Memberships

Associations offer various intangible benefits that are not easily quantifiable or physically tangible. Here are ten examples of such intangible benefits provided by associations: Remember, the specific intangible benefits offered by an association can vary depending on its focus, industry,…

Navigating Non-Profit Leadership Without Emotional Bias

Many people involved in the non-profit sector have generous hearts and strive to make a positive impact on the world, which is truly commendable. Despite this, it is important to distinguish when generosity crosses the line, where decisions are more…

Lessons from the Other Side: Becoming a Member After a Frustrating Journey

I recently encountered a frustrating experience while applying for membership in a professional society. The application instructions on their website were arranged numerically but needed reordering. Adding to the confusion, the entire website needed more specific information. Seeking clarification, I…

Power of Presence

As I sat outside my Uncle Jim’s hospice room, I talked to many people who came to say their goodbyes – they were colleagues, golfing buddies, and of course family. As I sat with them in the waiting room, I…