Kenya Roberts

Executive Leadership & Philanthropy

EMAIL KENYA

— EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP & ORGANIZATIONAL STRATEGY

Leadership that is rooted in purpose.

Kenya Roberts strengthens organizations, develops the leaders inside them, and helps boards and executive teams turn vision into results — with philanthropy and fundraising as one of the many ways she creates lasting impact.

Explore My Story
See My Impact
  • About Kenya

A leadership story, not a résumé.

I didn’t set out to be a fundraiser. I set out to build things that outlast me — teams that trust each other, organizations that can weather change, missions that keep their promises. Fundraising turned out to be where that instinct could do the most good.

Over two decades leading development functions for mission-driven organizations, I’ve learned that the numbers on a campaign report come from something quieter beneath them: whether people feel led well. My work has always started there.

“I lead the way I fundraise — by building trust first and asking second.”

Why I Lead

Because institutions with clear, generous leadership change more lives than any single gift.

Core Belief

Growth follows relationships. Relationships follow integrity.

What Keeps Me Grounded

Beyond the boardroom — family, faith, and the quiet routines that keep me steady when the work gets heavy.

  • Signature Framework

Rooted Leadership

Inspired by my book, The Rooted Fundraiser — six principles that hold everything else up. Select a root to explore the leadership philosophy behind it.

Purpose Relationships Strategy Growth Integrity Stewardship
Root 01 — Purpose

Start with why the work matters

Purpose has been a constant throughout my career, even as my roles have changed. I've learned that people do their best work when they understand what they're working toward and why it matters. Whether I'm leading a team, working alongside a board, mentoring an emerging leader, or developing strategy, I try to connect the work back to its larger purpose. That's often where clarity—and momentum—begin.

  • Evolution, Not a Timeline

The Leadership Journey

Building the Foundation

My early career taught me how organizations work from the inside—supporting executive leaders, navigating complex environments, and learning the importance of relationships, communication, and execution.

Finding My Place in Philanthropy

Fundraising became a natural extension of how I was already wired: building relationships, connecting people to purpose, and creating the structure needed to turn ideas into action.

Expanding My Leadership

As my responsibilities grew, so did the scope of my work—from fundraising strategy and team leadership to operations, board engagement, organizational change, and building sustainable systems for growth.

Developing Others

Leadership increasingly became about more than what I could accomplish myself. Mentoring, coaching, and creating opportunities for others to grow became an important measure of the impact I wanted to have.

Sharing What I’ve Learned

Speaking, teaching, writing, and mentoring have given me opportunities to take lessons learned through experience and share them with leaders and fundraisers across the sector.

Leading Forward

Today, I bring together more than two decades of experience in executive leadership, organizational strategy, philanthropy, and people development—helping organizations and leaders build what comes next.
  • Results That Last

Results measured in more than dollars.

A track record built across organizational strategy, philanthropy, and people development — with the team, mission, and organization left stronger than before.

Cool Number
$ 0 M+

Raised Throughout Career

Cool Number
$ 0 M

Growth in Endowment Assets

Cool Number
0 %

Growth in Online Giving

Cool Number
0 +

Professionals Mentored & Developed

Case Study 01

Building Sustainable Philanthropic Growth

Challenge

Strengthen and diversify philanthropy while creating more sustainable pathways for long-term growth.

My Role

Led development strategy across multiple giving channels, strengthening major and planned giving, digital fundraising, donor engagement, and board participation.

Outcome

Annual revenue grew from approximately $7M to $10M, online giving increased 160%, and major and planned gifts generated more than $25M.

Case Study 02

Building for the Long Term

Challenge

Create stronger long-term philanthropic sustainability and expand opportunities for donors to invest beyond annual giving.

My Role

Helped launch planned giving, strengthened donor stewardship, and developed strategies designed to deepen long-term donor relationships and build future resources.

Outcome

Planned giving generated approximately $5M in its first year, while the organization’s endowment grew from approximately $1M to $54M during my tenure.

Case Study 03

Developing Leaders, Not Just Teams

Challenge

Build leadership capacity while creating an environment where people could grow, take ownership, and contribute at a higher level.

My Role

Made coaching, mentoring, delegation, and professional development part of how I led—both within my teams and through mentoring relationships across the nonprofit sector.

Outcome

Mentored and developed 20+ professionals, helping emerging leaders build confidence, expand their capabilities, and step into greater responsibility.
  • Sharing the Work

Ideas worth bringing to your stage.

Kenya speaks to conferences, executive teams, and boards on executive leadership, philanthropy, and the human side of building organizations that last.

  • Executive & Nonprofit Leadership
  • Philanthropy & Fundraising
  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Organizational Effectiveness
  • Sustainable Leadership
  • Board Engagement
  • Belonging & Organizational Culture
Email Kenya to Book a Talk
  • Author

The Rooted Fundraiser

A Guide to Sustainable Fundraising, Grounded Leadership, and Lasting Impact

Drawing on two decades of leadership experience, The Rooted Fundraiser explores sustainable fundraising, grounded leadership, and the principles that help organizations create lasting impact.

Get the Book
  • Conversations & Podcasts

The Board Shake-Up

“Don’t Touch My Hair: Black Women Owning the Boardroom”

A candid conversation about board leadership, belonging, purpose, and creating space for women to lead authentically.

Listen to the Conversation →
  • In Their Words

Leadership, In Their Words.

The people I’ve had the privilege to lead, learn from, and work alongside share their perspectives on my leadership, partnership, and impact.

Laurie Wong-Burns

CEO

Terri Williams, MA, CFRE

Development Leader · Mentee

Julissa Ciquero

Development Operations Manager · Former Team Member

Portfolio

A curated look at my leadership, selected work, and the experiences that have shaped how I lead.

Explore My Portfolio
  • Contact

Let's start a conversation.

Whether you’re a search committee, a conference organizer, a strategic partner, or a board considering your next chapter — I’d love to hear from you.