About

We match great people to meaningful work that helps achieve your vision.

Stacy Nelson

Founder and Managing Director

Executive Search and Nonprofit Strategist Stacy Nelson has spent her life’s work and passion recruiting leaders for over twenty years. Stacy Nelson has led successful recruiting teams for corporate recruiting and nonprofit organizations. Stacy Nelson & Associates has placed hundreds of C-suite and director-level nonprofit leaders over the years. We have a high referral rate for client and candidate recommendations. We are honored and passionate about the work we do daily for our community to support their mission.

As a Board Chair and President of nonprofits in the past, she has established strong ties and taken on significant leadership roles. Her contributions have been recognized with a nomination for the Heart of Marin 2015 awards. Stacy is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), and Chi Omega. Her academic background in Political Science from George Mason University in Virginia, coupled with a Human Resources Management certificate from the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management and Board Chair certification through Board Source, further enrich her leadership capabilities.

Stacy has served as President and Advisor Chair for nonprofits, including Mark Day School Bread & Roses Presents, and on the fundraising Committee for Golden Gate Presidio Trust. Since 2016, she has been a member of the Human Resources Committee at the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco. Stacy has participated as a group lead for annual fund drives and has been chairing many fundraising events. She recently became a board member at Marin Art & Garden Center after working with them to place their executive director.

Jenny Peng

Senior Search Consultant and HR Advisor

A versatile and accomplished executive with extensive leadership and management expertise across multinational, small business and non-profit organizations, Jenny Peng has a proven track record in financial management and analysis, with demonstrated expertise in strategic planning, business development and relationship management across a range of stakeholders. Committed to mission-driven work that empowers and transforms the lives of young people through education, resources, and employment.

As the Director of Finance and Administration at Bridge the Gap College Prep, whose mission aligns with her lifelong belief in the power of education, Jenny leveraged her business and financial acumen for a cause which she cares passionately about, bringing equity to youth through education and social-emotional support. She was an integral part of the leadership team responsible for the impressive growth and many success stories of the students that the organization serves. Jenny supports SNA search projects and strategy for scaling our own business.

Laura Congdon

Senior Search Consultant and Grant Writer

Laura started her career in SF Bay Area non-profits over 25 years ago at Juma Ventures, a San Francisco non-profit serving at-risk youth where she could merge her management experience and desire to make a difference in the lives of under-resourced youth. Laura went on to have leadership roles at additional youth development and social enterprise focused organizations in San Francisco, Oakland, and Richmond. Laura has served as the Director of Outcome Measurement at Boys and Girls Clubs of San Francisco, Site Director at BUILD Oakland, Director of Partnerships and Special Projects at Pogo Park in Richmond – to name a few. Throughout her career, Laura was often in a hiring manager role herself, and on many executive search communities and for a time managed a Temp Staffing Agency for formerly incarcerated individuals. Laura has been with SNA for over three years now and supports our search projects in every way. Laura also works as a consultant with Bay Area nonprofits on diverse projects such as grant writing, program design and evaluation.  

photo of sally kuhlman, nonprofit executive search consultant

Sally Kuhlman

Senior Search Consultant and Communications

Sally Kuhlman has been working with Bay Area non-profits for over 20 years. Most recently, Sally served as the Director of National Programs for Beyond Differences. She played an integral role in the growth of Beyond Differences’ network of school partners to almost 10,000 schools across the nation. Prior to that, she was the Chief of Staff at Hispanics in Philanthropy where she served as the hiring manager as well as co-leading the launch of the HIPGive – the first transnational crowdfunding platform specifically designed for non-profits that serve Latinx communities

Sally specializes in marketing and communications and holds a degree in Social Ecology from the University of California, Irvine. Sally manages our social media and communications while leading our search projects.

Sally also works as a consultant with Bay Area nonprofits supporting them with communications, social media and online fundraising.

Louise Franklin

Louise Franklin

Senior Search Consultant

Louise Franklin is a seasoned nonprofit consultant with over 30 years of experience in leadership transition and organizational change. She has served as an interim executive director, executive coach, and consultant, guiding nonprofits through critical transitions. Louise has led or collaborated on numerous executive searches, ensuring smooth leadership transitions through onboarding and training for boards and new executives. She is also skilled in organizational assessments and strategic planning, essential for incoming leaders.

Louise is dedicated to the vitality of nonprofits, recognizing their crucial role in supporting the essential contribution they make to the health and well-being of people, communities, and the planet. She emphasizes communication, inclusivity, and leadership that aligns organizations with their mission and vision.

In addition to consulting, Louise has served on numerous boards, is a licensed MFT, and volunteers with the Red Cross Disaster Mental Health Team and the Humane Hospice Prison Project.

Jacqueline Janssen

Senior Advisor

Jacqueline Janssen founded Janssen & Associates in 1978. As a member of nonprofit boards, she realized what a few people could accomplish for a community and the need for excellent executive leaders in the nonprofit sector. Over the years she and Stacy Nelson found they have a similar style, approach to nonprofit leadership and share the same values. They collaborated in placing many CEOs and Executive Directors. In 2021, Jacqueline could leave her business, with great confidence in Stacy Nelson & Associates to whom she recommends all her clients, inquiries and referrals from others. Jacqueline continues in an advisory role and offers pro bono services through SNA. Jacqueline is a graduate of University of California Berkeley and has served on the Marin Women’s Commission and volunteers for NAMI Marin.

Stefanie Homitz

Bookkeeper and Operations Assistant

Stefanie has an efficiency and care to detail that our clients can appreciate. Stefanie was referred to us like so many great candidates.

Let us help you find the right talent.

We look for the right person that is an ideal match to help achieve your mission. Our clients are diverse in size and organizations. Stacy Nelson & Associates specializes in nonprofit sectors including but not limited to healthcare, education, supportive housing, social justice, youth development and environment.