Who We Are

Rhonda Buckley-Bishop uses her 30 years in the nonprofit sector to lead others during times of organizational transition. She is passionate about strengthening nonprofits so that they can best serve their missions. Rhonda has worked with organizations in both growth and crisis situations, and her special talent is fortifying teams so they can achieve and expand their organizations' mission.

Rhonda is passionate about structurally-sound organizations. She is an inclusive team builder, decisive decision maker, experienced manager of people and resources, and enthusiastic about all that non-profits/associations can accomplish. Her goal is to strengthen the organizational infrastructure and reinvigorate teams to prepare the way for the incoming long-term executive to thrive.

"Leading an organization during a transition requires an enhanced skill set, and a great deal of listening to board, staff, and constituents. Whether the organization is in a turnaround situation, a start-up, has gone through a crisis, or needs a leader to step in to give the board more time to conduct a search, it is important to always put the mission first, while supporting board and staff throughout the strategic transition process."

Rhonda has served as interim ED/CEO for nonprofit organizations, associations, and academic institutions, both large and small, in the metro DC area and beyond and brings a new perspective, critical thinking and problem solving to the organizations that she serves, while building a culture of trust and accountability.

Rhonda was founder and longtime Executive Director of the Sitar Arts Center, a community arts organization that serves at-risk youth and families in Washington DC, where she received numerous awards as a nonprofit leader. She has also served as Associate Dean for Outreach and Engagement at the Michigan State University College of Music in East Lansing, MI.

Rhonda earned both a bachelor's and master's degree in music from Michigan State University. She also received a Master of General Administration degree with an emphasis in nonprofit management from the University of Maryland University College. Rhonda was a Fellow in the Executive Program for Nonprofit Leaders at Stanford's Graduate School of Management. She is a member of the Leadership Greater Washington, Class of 2006. Rhonda volunteers with several Washington DC region nonprofit organizations. She also continues to perform as a classical saxophonist.