We are a dedicated group of curious and visionary people with diverse experience working across the nonprofit sector. Our work is our calling – we want to do our part to make the world a better place; and for decades, we have been able to do just that through the power of philanthropy.
NGA views impossibilities as opportunities, and we provide the expertise, tools, and resources for your organization to develop habits for long-term viability and sustainability.
NGA values community partnerships and strives to make our services affordable to all
nonprofit organizations. We offer flexible payment structures, including monthly retainer or project-based contracts, as well as daily rates of service to best suit your organization’s needs.
Once we understand your goals and challenges, we will propose a service package tailored to your organization’s needs and budget range.
We’re truth-tellers and keep it real with our clients. Your success is our success, and we draw on a seasoned perspective to both see and create the future of social impact.
We never work for commission
and makes no exceptions to that rule.
Melissa Tillman has spent more than two decades helping nonprofits thrive, transforming challenges into opportunities, and building strategies that stick.
As the Founder and CEO of Nonprofit Growth Advisors, she’s known for guiding organizations through leadership transitions, creating resilient teams, and designing innovative approaches that lead to lasting impact.
Whether it’s launching standout fundraising programs, strengthening Boards, or turning deficits into growth, Melissa brings a bold mix of expertise, creativity, and heart to every project. Her work spans education, foster care, homelessness, and health services, all driven by her unwavering commitment to social justice and equity.
Melissa holds an MBA in Nonprofit Management, a BA in Sociology with a Minor in Communications, and certifications from the Interim Executive Academy and BoardSource.
Som Puangladda has spent more than fifteen years working with leading tech companies from Silicon Valley to New York City and Silicon Beach. Today, she is an award-winning global marketer, consulting for marketing and revenue growth at various tech startups and non-profit organizations, and currently splits time between Los Angeles, CA, and Bangkok, Thailand. Prior to being a full-time consultant, Puangladda’s B2B marketing career included roles as Head of Marketing at GumGum, an adtech platform; and VP of Global Demand Generation for the programmatic marketing company, Rubicon Project. She also was the first marketing lead at pioneering web video startup, JW Player and has appeared on several podcasts, and received a B2B Innovator award in 2018, and a Leadership Honorable Mention in 2019 for the Data-Driven CMO Award. She holds a degree in Business and Marketing from Assumption University and has spoken at over a dozen conferences, including SXSW, Forrester's SiriusDecisions, B2BMX, and the TOPO Summit.
Maggie Weisberg has spent the past 20 years working in the nonprofit sector, most recently serving as the Senior Executive Director of the Greater Los Angeles & Orange County Chapter of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. Maggie has also previously held executive positions at the American Lung Association, Hadassah, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and the American Jewish University.
Her specialties include executive leadership, organizational efficiency, staff development and training, cross-functional operations, financial planning, strategic planning, project, program, board, and volunteer management. Maggie is a solutions-based nonprofit leader and advisor with extensive presentation and training experience; training, coaching, and conflict resolution skills, and she has a genuine interest and proven track record for helping people and programs reach their full potential.
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Whelma Cabanawan brings nearly two decades of leadership experience in the nonprofit sector, specializing in operational management, financial oversight, and talent development. With an MBA in Nonprofit Management and a PhD in Organizational Leadership (ABD), she has guided organizations through significant growth and transitions. Whelma's expertise spans people and culture, risk management, grant writing, and fundraising, making her a versatile asset. Certified in DEI and professional coaching, Whelma is committed to fostering inclusive environments and empowering teams. Her holistic approach combines operational excellence with a deep understanding of movement-building, making her an invaluable consultant for any nonprofit seeking transformative impact.
Nonprofit Growth Advisors have been catalysts for positive change during a time of leadership transition at PRESENT NOW. Melissa's collaborative approach, coupled with a deep understanding of the nonprofit landscape, has allowed for the development and implementation of tailored strategies that have allowed us to scale and grow our operations according to plan. The impact of the NGA team’s work is evident in all aspects of PRESENT NOW’s operations leading to increased efficiency and expanded programming. Melissa is a wonderful mentor and thought partner who is not only invested in an organization’s success but is also invested in your professional and personal growth.
Nonprofit Growth Advisors gets the job done. My organization, Arts for LA, has collaborated with NGA two times now on two very distinct projects, fundraising, and interim Chief Operations Officer. I've done so because Melissa and her team deliver. They are creative in their solutions, meticulous in their detail management, and trusted partners in the work.
NGA's Founder, Melissa was hired as an Interim Executive Director at Food on Foot, and she steered our ship through some pretty treacherous waters. We were all impressed and grateful for the breadth of skills she displayed with the staff, the board, our donors, and our clients. She conducted an organizational analysis that led to a solid restructuring and reduced annual operating expenses. She deeply cares about helping the population we serve (the unhoused and food insecure of Hollywood) and aside from keeping us steady, she brought new ideas for our programs and is gifted at thinking outside the box. We’ve just begun our Year-End Appeal, and Melissa has already come up with new perspectives on fundraising that are in keeping with our culture.
Maggie joined the Foundation during a tumultuous time of transition. The program was in decline with many broken relationships in the community. Maggie dove in; built a new strategic direction for the program, and engaged a wide variety of community stakeholders and partners. Her vision and excellent relational and people skills led the way to renewed energy and growth. Working together, she helped shape the direction of the Western US programs and set the organization on a positive footing.
Our Advisors' past and present experience includes executive, managerial, consulting, and board positions at:
