Partner Highlight: Nicole Thibodeau
In this continuing series, we are highlighting Partners and the skills they bring to the SVP Portland Partnership.
Nicole Thibodeau was born in a small town built around a pulp and paper mill in Quebec, near the border of Maine, which is not unlike the Pacific NW. She obtained her BBA in 1988 from Laval University in Quebec, Canada. She earned her CPA in 1990, and in 2003 went on to obtain her PhD from the University of Pittsburgh.
Nicole’s company, Nthandco Management Consultants, engages with business owners and professionals to drive growth through strategic financial leadership (SFL®). Using real costs, strategic pricing, and investing, she helps put owners, executives, and financial teams in the driver’s seat.
Q: How did you hear about SVP Portland?
A: I met former CEO Mark Holloway at a breakfast workshop through a joint friend. I had never heard of SVP, but I immediately knew I wanted to know more when Mark talked about SVP’s vision to strategically focus on a core social issue through partnerships with the community. I knew there had to be something inherently valuable about such a goal-orientated approach. The meld of long-term investment of philanthropic and professional resources guided by the community organizations wanting to grow their impact really appealed to me.
Q: What was compelling about SVP and venture philanthropy?
A: The idea of investing in capacity building with smaller organizations that have great potential for impact and shared values seemed like a more constructive and impactful way to address community challenges than just donating money or volunteering. Also, at that point in my life, I had defined some clear goals and intentions. I wanted to understand the institutional constraints and barriers in the nonprofit sector. And I wanted to better understand Portland’s history and root issues so that I could connect with my community on a deeper level. SVP went beyond traditional philanthropy to provide these opportunities too.
Q: How has SVP changed you?
A: SVP has provided a space to grow and to engage in the community. I am continuously learning and thinking about the historical role of philanthropy and how to leverage the good aspects while shifting power toward a community-driven approach to solving issues. I am a member of our Equity Team, and our equity work has challenged me to explore the different forms and significant impact of systemic racism and other pervasive inequities, in our town, in this country, and in the world of business and finance. There is a long way to go on my journey, but SVP has given me strong momentum and it helps that I get to work with really thoughtful and committed Partners and staff. Working with Community Partners has only further clarified for me the barriers faced by communities of color. The most satisfying aspect of my engagements has been seeing Community Partners strength and leadership as they work in their communities.
Q: What have your engagements been like?
A: Very rewarding. I initially worked on internal systems for SVP, including with the Finance Committee. Soon, I was also working with Community Partner staff, leadership, and SVP Partners doing capacity building. I then joined the Board of Directors as Treasurer, and now co-lead the Financial Partner Team. I have engaged with several Community Partners, including the Center for African Immigrants and Refugees Organization (CAIRO), the Center for Equity and Inclusion (CEI), Portland Children’s Museum, Hacienda CDC, Latino Network, and now the Alliance for Equity in Montessori Education (AEME). It is thoroughly enjoyable to always be moving forward toward new challenges and things to think about, with lots of learning that contributes to my health and other endeavors.
Q: What is your overarching goal with engagement?
A: I focus on leveraging financial strategy and systems with people’s strengths to help our Community Partners best utilize their staff and resources to grow toward their vision. I want to help change the limiting approach to nonprofits, or rather social enterprise funding, especially annual budgets and restricted grants. By listening, learning and integrating cross-sectorial tools with strong thought partnership, we can look ahead, be highly accountable, and advance our preschool access goal.
Q: SVP is not your only philanthropic endeavor. What else are you doing?
A: I am also an Associate Professor of Accounting Practice at Willamette University’s MBA program where I was grateful to be co-tasked with developing a one-of-a-kind consequential philanthropic course, Philanthropic Investment for Community Impact. The goal of the class is to build leadership and interest in a sector, where our next generation can make an incredible impact. Partnering with the nonprofit and philanthropic communities in Marion, Polk, and Yamhill counties, as well as the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley, students manage real dollars for community impact -- a first of its kind in North America. We are now in our 5th grant cycle. (See our annual report here)
Q: What do you do in your spare time?
A: I just love to do anything outdoors, Bikram Yoga, and my passion in the past five years, circus aerials. Much of this has side-tracked during Covid, though Zoom classes have helped me stay connected to my community. Cycling and cycle commuting to every errand were also key during the pandemic. As things open up I am looking forward to planned adventures rafting, kayaking and hiking. I have been replenishing my outdoor reserves most recently with a good friend on the least traveled trails of Forest Park. And, anytime I can commute on my Harley Davidson Sportster 48 in our beautiful surroundings, I feel reenergized.