Dr Angie Holzer

I attribute my success to having a clear vision, rooting that vision in solid research, and surrounding myself with people who believe in that vision. From the beginning, I’ve been driven by a deep desire to improve the nonprofit sector—to make it more transparent, collaborative, and accessible. That vision became sharper through my doctoral research, which identified key barriers nonprofits face and revealed practical, scalable solutions.

Once the vision was clear, it was about finding the right people—those who shared the same passion for impact and innovation—and moving forward with persistence and purpose. Progress comes when research meets action and when a collective belief turns into momentum.

One of the biggest challenges in the nonprofit sector is the lack of funding for data infrastructure—few funders see it as a priority, which has meant building WikiCharities from the ground up with support from small donors and dedicated volunteers. There's also a persistent skepticism from long-time sector professionals, which can hinder innovation. We’ve learned that real change requires involving forward-thinking visionaries who are open to building something better. Despite these challenges, there's a growing awareness that data-driven solutions are essential for impact, making this a pivotal moment to transform how the nonprofit sector operates.

A collaborative mindset and finding people who are open to innovation and exploring new ways of doing things are values I hold closely. I believe meaningful change happens when we work together and remain willing to challenge the status quo. Surrounding myself with individuals who are curious, adaptable, and willing to rethink traditional systems is key to building solutions that truly make a difference.