Michelle Kenyon
Michelle Kenyon is a licensed consultant specializing in nonprofit development and strategic partnerships, serving the Tyler-Jacksonville area. Licensed through the Maryland Nonprofits’ Standards of Excellence Institute, she is one of fewer than 50 licensed consultants in Texas under this program. Michelle works with new nonprofit and small-business founders, helping them become sustainable and successfully launch programs. Her approach emphasizes collaboration, strategic alignment, and practical guidance, empowering organizations to thrive independently.
Before transitioning to consulting, Michelle built extensive experience as a development director for various nonprofits, where she honed her expertise in fundraising, program development, and organizational sustainability. She is particularly passionate about facilitating strategic partnerships, connecting organizations with complementary missions to maximize their impact. Michelle takes pride in mentoring her clients through the early stages of growth, guiding them until they are confident and equipped to operate autonomously.
Committed to lifelong learning and professional growth, Michelle continually participates in workshops and trainings to expand her knowledge and bring best practices to her clients. She is actively engaged in her local community, serving on boards and supporting initiatives in youth development, mental health, and social services. Her work reflects a deep dedication to strengthening nonprofits, fostering collaboration, and building lasting capacity for the organizations she serves.
• Licensed Consultant
• Troy University - BA
• Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP)
• Camp V Board Member
• Marvin UMC
What do you attribute your success to?
I credit my success to my passion for helping people. What I love most is guiding clients over a few months and then watching them launch programs, lead workshops, and share their expertise confidently. I often tell clients I’ll “baby bird” them—after our time together, it’s their turn to soar. Seeing them grow, succeed, and contribute to the community is the most rewarding part of my work and what drew me to this profession.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this field is to do your due diligence: get thorough training, learn every aspect of consulting, and understand the laws and processes that affect your work—whether it’s nonprofits or businesses. Learn how to guide organizations through challenges like succession planning or leadership transitions. No one knows everything, so commit to continuous learning and development. Most importantly, have a genuine passion for helping people succeed. I regularly attend workshops and trainings myself, so I can bring the latest knowledge and strategies to the clients I work with.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Right now, one of the biggest opportunities in my field is the limited number of licensed consultants in Texas through the Maryland Nonprofits program. This creates strong potential to build strategic partnerships and develop replication or incubator hubs that support new organizations. At the same time, a key challenge is mastering technical and regulatory areas, such as IRS compliance and succession planning. These can be complex and require focused, ongoing training, but overcoming them allows me to provide the highest level of guidance and support to the organizations I serve.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me in both my work and personal life are helping others succeed, fostering collaboration, committing to lifelong learning, and giving back through community service. These principles shape how I approach every project and relationship, and they drive my passion for supporting growth and positive impact.
Locations
Flourish
Tyler, TX 75701