Aaron M.

About Aaron M.

When organizations are under strain, the signals often quiet before they get loud. Decisions slow. Teams compensate. Good people work harder but clarity and engagement erode.For boards and senior leaders (especially in nonprofits) these moments raise a difficult question: how to stabilize the organization, support an exhausted team, and move forward without rushing to the wrong long-term hire or defaulting to more planning that never quite lands.This is where I do my best work.As a fractional and interim executive, I partner with mission-driven organizations to provide experienced, hands-on leadership during transition and complexity. I learn the terrain quickly, earn trust, and help teams breathe again—bringing structure where there is drift, momentum where there is fatigue, and execution where vision has stalled. My work lives at the intersection of strategy, operations, culture, and leadership formation.Recent roles include:*Chief Operating Officer, Kids Helping Kids*Fractional / Interim COO, Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance*Interim President, The Turner FoundationIn parallel, I support organizations through:*Strategic planning and operating-model design*Executive team offsites and retreat facilitation*Leader and founder coaching, with an emphasis on clarity, resilience, and sustainable performanceMy background blends executive leadership, management consulting, and higher education. I bring an operator’s eye, a coach’s presence, and a teacher’s instinct—helping leaders see what matters most, name what’s getting in the way, and build rhythms that endure.I’m especially drawn to organizations working at the intersection of social impact, education, culture, and community, where purpose is real and leadership carries weight.If your organization is navigating transition, fatigue, or the need to re-establish steady leadership at the center, I’m glad to explore whether a fractional partnership could serve your next season—I’m husband to my brilliant and beautiful wife, dad to 3 amazing teens, and an engaged follower of Jesus. I’ve authored 4 kids books about courage and a few for adults: Habits for Leaders Grounded & Growing, and Building a Thriving Culture (forthcoming). I also have two LinkedIn Learning courses reaching over 250k learners, and my writing at Everyday Formation shares sanity-saving practices for busy souls. Let’s connect!

Experience

1. Principal

   Csc Strategic Consulting Llc

   Oct 2024 — Present · Santa Barbara, CA, US

   Through CSC, I provide fractional COO & CMO support, helping growth-minded companies sharpen strategy, brand, and operations to scale with clarity. We’ve partnered with consumer brands, nonprofits, and service-based companies to refine messaging, build marketing systems, and drive growth that’s sustainable—not just another spike on a chart.Highlights-Supported 21 Seeds Tequila with marketing and brand positioning that contributed to their rapid acquisition by Diageo-Grew Organic Girl’s social presence, expanding reach, engagement, and brand recognition-Maintained a 6+ year partnership with The Republic of Tea, providing ongoing brand/social support-Led marketing projects with Newman’s Own and Newman\'s Own Foundation, integrating mission-driven storytelling with consumer growth-Managed book launch and brand support for Julianne Hough, including social strategy and website development. Reach out if you need fractional marketing leadership or operational clarity.

Education

• Chapman University

  Teaching Credential, Education

  2002 — 2003

• The University of Edinburgh

  Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Education

  2010 — 2016

• Biola University

  Master of Arts (MA), Philosophy

  2006 — 2008

• Quantic School of Business and Technology

  eMBA

• George Fox University

  Bachelor of Arts (BA), Interdisciplinary Studies

  1994 — 1998