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Susan Kenny Stevens, Ph.D.

Susan Kenny Stevens

Susan is an experienced management consultant specializing in:

  • Strategic advice to nonprofits and foundations especially those at a directional crossroad.
  • Capacity-building counsel for foundations seeking a customizable, proven method for strengthening the durability and sustainability of grantee partners.
  • Individual coaching for nonprofit/foundation executives in transition and for nonprofit founders at various stages of the founder lifecycle.

Susan’s fundamental understanding of nonprofit management honed over 30 years as a strategic advisor and consultant provides an authenticity to both her consulting work and speaking engagements. Her up-tempo, engaging style makes her a sought-after keynote speaker on issues pertaining to philanthropy and the nonprofit sector.

Susan holds a Ph.D in Organizational Behavior.  She is the author of five books and numerous journal articles and case studies. Her award-winning book, Nonprofit Lifecycles, now in its second edition, has sold more than 15,000 copies and serves as a cornerstone for many university nonprofit management courses and foundation sponsored capacity-building programs across the nation.  Her dissertation examined the entrepreneurial behavior of nonprofit founders. 

Career Highlights

  • Clinical Social Worker specializing in the field of adolescence.
  • Community Relations Director and VP of Finance and Administration positions
  • Bush Foundation Fellow at Cornell University.
  • Founder, The Stevens Group, a boutique consulting and training firm designed to bring financial and management principles to the nonprofit sector.
  • Instructor of Nonprofit Financial Management. University of Minnesota Humphrey Institute of Public Policy.
  • Sale of The Stevens Group to LarsonAllen, LLP, after sixteen years and with 20 employees
  • Principal-in-Charge, Public Service Group, LarsonAllen’s nonprofit and government audit, tax and consulting division.
  • Retired principal, Of counsel, LarsonAllen LLP
  • Community Volunteer and Board Member
  • Independent consultant, author and speaker specializing in strategic consulting, capacity building and transitional coaching.

Susan is married to entrepreneur and small business owner, Pat Stevens.They have two grown sons who are both small business entrepreneurs as well.