I work at the intersection of product innovation, strategy, and responsible data and AI, helping mission-driven organizations design, launch, and scale solutions that drive measurable community and economic impact. I integrate human-centered product design with ecosystem-aware go-to-market strategy to ensure innovation is not only built, but adopted, operationalized, and sustained.

My work bridges strategy and execution by aligning vision, product design, technical workflows, stakeholder incentives, and narrative clarity. I’m typically engaged when the opportunity is high, the path is ambiguous, and success requires both systems thinking and creative problem-solving. I move initiatives from concept to prototype to adoption through intentional workflow design, collaboration, and clear communication.

In short: I specialize in converting strategy into scalable, operational reality.

Sarah Merion

Growing Relationships with Nonprofits, Consultants and Tech Partners

I’ve always been a community builder.

Long before I launched The Nonprofit Hive I was the one bringing people together, making introductions, and finding ways to build connections that mattered. It was house parties, group chats, mom collaboratives, facebook groups, a community of stroke survivors. I wasn’t just drawn to community building; I lived it.

I know what it feels like to be the glue—the one who sees potential in relationships, who believes that the right connections can change everything. That instinct has shaped my career. And now, I support and build intentional, high-impact communities that help organizations move beyond engagement metrics and into real, lasting relationships.

💡 What I Do:

I work with nonprofits, associations, and mission-driven networks to strengthen their communities through:

- Thoughtful 1:1 connection and matching
- Community engagement strategy
- Lightweight, human-first technology and marketing

Light systems. Real relationships. No forced networking.

🐝 Where this shows up

Community Hives – A high-touch, low-lift platform that helps organizations create meaningful 1:1 connections inside their communities

The Nonprofit Hive – A global peer community for nonprofit professionals built on trust, shared learning, and collaboration

📊 The Impact I have created:

🔹 Connected 2,800+ nonprofit professionals through structured, meaningful conversations. This has resulted in jobs, cross-country collaborations and deep international friendships.
🔹 Facilitated over 10,000 1:1 conversations across 90 countries since Oct.2023
🔹 Increased engagement rates 3x higher than typical networking spaces by fostering one-to-one connections that actually stick.
🔹 Helped organizations retain and activate their communities through better strategy, stronger tech, and smarter engagement models.

If you’re trying to build community that actually feels like community — or you’re tired of platforms and strategies that look good but don’t stick — we should probably talk.

📩 Message me here or reach me at tasha@thenonprofithive.com

Tasha Van Vlack

You are using the word "Community" all wrong.

(Or maybe you are)

I get that community is a hot word lately, and in the nonprofit sector, we use the word constantly. In proposals. On websites. In strategy decks. We say “our community” when we mean our followers. Or our CRM. Or our webinar attendees.

And I get it. Community is aspirational. It feels hopeful; particularly in this time of deep societal upheaval and when EVERYONE wants to feel some measure of belonging.

But the more casually we use the word, the less clarity it carries.

Over the last few years building The Nonprofit Hive, I’ve watched what actually creates connection (and what doesn’t). And I’ve realized something important:
Community is not a platform. It’s not an event. It’s not a list.

It’s a pattern of reciprocal relationships over time.

I wrote a full breakdown of the different ways we misuse the word “community” — and what we might mean instead.

https://lnkd.in/eBM9hVfk

Because if we misname what we’re building, we will mis-design it. And the social impact sector can't afford that right now....

Community is a Verb - Social Impact Community Builder and Strategist @ Community Hives/The Nonprofit Hive

The Community Misuse Matrix.

A taxonomy table relating to community.

It took hitting my 40s to really figure out how to be in community with other women.

And some of that is likely my big, loud personality (I swear I am not trying to project my voice that much!)

But some of it I am also realizing is absolutely a product of a society that has encouraged competition vs cooperation between women.

That hasnt encouraged that we uplift each other.

I’m learning as I go how to be a champion for the many other incredible women in my life. To be loud, but not only in service to myself and my goals, but also to advance those around me if my voice can help.

This card from my dear friend Rachel Zant hit my mailbox today. And it says it perfectly.

There is so much space for us to root each other on. The pie can be made bigger. Finite is a lie.

I am going to do a horrible job of name-dropping all of the many many women I admire and am in community with but here are a few. Lets have 2026 be a year of cheerleading and growth ♥️

Who are you cheerleading on for International Women’s Day???

Thank you for expanding my growth Nicole Jamrozinski, Amina Mohamed, Eleanor Campbell, Loretta Turner MA, ACC, Robyn Greaves, Leah Kral, Julienne Torres-Hinds, Bobbie James, Indu Sambandam, Justine Pitcher, Alexandra Piatkowski, MPH, PMP®, Bobbie James, Madeleine Nance, 🔆 Anne Nevel, CAE, Ronnie Tepp, Anna Taylor, Diamond J., Maia Iva, Kathy Archer, Jemima Attanasio, Lori Muñoz, Janine Ayoub, Corrie Oberdin, Jessica Pang-Parks MES, CVA, Laurie de Fleuriot de la Colinière, CFRE

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I really loved Learning Out Loud today at our The Nonprofit Hive Partner Social.

We spent the session talking LinkedIn — what’s working, what’s changed, where people are stuck, and how to think more strategically about profiles, company pages, outreach, and engagement.

And every time I’m in a space like that, I’m reminded how much I love learning environments that do two things at once:

1. They make me re-evaluate what I know.
2. They create room to share what may help others leverage their work and visibility a little better.

That kind of exchange is GOLD.

Especially in this sector, where so many people are doing important work and still trying to figure out how to show up online in a way that is useful, real, and sustainable.

Grateful for our partners who continue to show up with curiosity and generosity and figure out engagement that is built on reciprocity.

Sonya Perez-Lauterbach, Amy Krigsman, MNM, MPA, CNP, Rachel Zant, Kimberly Lewis, Bobbie James, Sigrid Penner, Alexandra Piatkowski, MPH, PMP®, Jeremy Stern, Jami Yazdani, Arum Lansel, Chris Martin, Heather Nelson, Lori Muñoz, Matthew A. Poland, Olivia Lopez-Wheeler, Zanni Miranda, MA, Janine Ayoub, Dr. Kate Toth, Chris Wong, LMHC, ACC, Jessica Pang-Parks MES, CVA, Christopher McGown

Social media promised us many things.

Connection, information, opportunity, belonging.

Lately it feels like the social media I grew up with is failing on all levels. And yet its STILL one of the best ways to reach your community and/or audience where they are at.

So whats a nonprofit to do in the age of ever changing social media algorithms, viral videos and diminishing ad returns??

Can't wait to facilitate a conversation with two of my favourite marketing nonprofiteers Kate Meyers Emery, Ph.D. of Candid and Shay Leonia of American Humanist Association.

How are you finding ways to connect meaningfully on socials these days?

https://lnkd.in/eHnCdFgU

Social media is everywhere—but is it working for your nonprofit, or working you over?

In 2026, the digital landscape is moving faster than ever. New platforms pop up monthly. Algorithms change weekly. And generative AI has made content creation easier—and more questionable—than ever before.

For nonprofits, this shifting terrain brings both possibility and pressure.

This conversation will unpack the complex relationship between social media and the nonprofit sector—beyond the “post more!” advice and into the heart of what actually builds trust, alignment, and connection online. Because the real question isn’t “Are you keeping up?”—it’s “Does this still serve your mission?”

Date: Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Time: 12:30–1:15 PM (EST)
Location: LinkedIn Live

Panelists:
Kate Meyers Emery, Ph.D. | Senior Digital Communications Manager, Candid
Shay Leonia | Communications Manager, American Humanist Association 
Wasseem Emam | Founder, Director & Head of Research Ethical Seafood Research

Facilitator: Tasha Van Vlack | Co-Director, Community & Marketing, The Nonprofit Hive & Founder & Community Strategist, Community Hives

This isn’t about going viral.

It’s about using social media to build real connection—without burning out your team or compromising your message.

Because showing up online should be an act of alignment, not obligation.

Thank you to our sponsor: Reloveution 

#NonprofitMarketing #DigitalStrategy #EthicalStorytelling #SocialMediaForGood #TheNonprofitHive

Nonprofits & Social Media: Tool, Trap, or Something More? 

taplio

The Battle

Sarah Merion

Tasha Van Vlack

Followers

Posts

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Performance ScoreTasha Van Vlack's LinkedIn Performance

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taplio

The Battle

Sarah Merion

Tasha Van Vlack

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Tasha Van Vlack's LinkedIn Performance

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Performance ScoreTasha Van Vlack's LinkedIn Performance