Woman of color with short curly hair presenting to a nonprofit board of directors in a mustard button-down shirt. She is confident and smiling.

Advancing Women of Color in Nonprofit Leadership

Leadership support for BIPOC women through coaching, consulting and speaking events

our founder HAS BEEN FEATURED ON

the challenge

Women of color leading mission-driven organizations face a myriad of obstacles—and it’s not because we’re not wildly capable, passionate, or knowledgable.

We’re less likely to hold positions of power compared to white men, white women, and men of color, and when we do, we’re likely to experience an increase in misogyny, racism, harrassment and prejudice.*

*Source: Christopher, G., & Iyer, D. (2023). Honoring and Supporting Women of Color Leaders. Stanford Social Innovation Review https://doi.org/10.48558/DQ20-7G23

Woman of color with short curly hair and bold glasses, writing in a notebook while looking down at her computer, reading an upsetting email from her colleague.

how we help

Fiercely Forward provides critical leadership support for BIPOC women nonprofit leaders.

Through expert, 1:1 leadership coaching, strategic consultation with nonprofit teams, and speaking engagements, we help women of color in nonprofit leadership achieve their most audacious goals, make meaningful change, and move fiercely forward.

Dr. Lynette Fraga sits on the steps of a building, smiling. She is a Latina with short brown hair, and wears leopard print glasses and a brown suede shirt.

Hi, I’m Dr. Lynette Fraga

founder & CEO OF FIERCELY FORWARD

Having successfully led organizations in diverse sectors—including 15 years in the C-Suite, 10 years as CEO for a large, national nonprofit—I have experienced the complexity of leadership and its wins, losses, and hard-earned lessons. Especially as a BIPOC woman.

Now, as an executive coach, strategic consultant, and speaker, I am dedicated to supporting women of color and allies who are leading organizations destined to make our world a better place.

With over 30 years’ experience, I’m an expert at helping leaders from every seat navigate the complexities of social, organizational, personal, and professional change.

And as a mission-driven executive, I believe in the necessity to address inequities and disparities, contest racism and prejudice, and affect positive social change so that the dreams of each and every person are made attainable.

Ready to move fiercely forward?

  • Coaching

    Nonprofit BIPOC leaders and allies need and deserve space to think, reflect, strategize, and consider their goals—as a whole person—with time, intention and support.

    Our Coaching Services

  • Consulting

    Individualized, strategic advice for nonprofit organizations to reach tangible milestones and produce impactful results—while honoring diverse perspectives, and promoting equity, inclusion and belonging.

    Our Consulting Services

  • Speaking

    Dr. Lynette Fraga is a seasoned nonprofit C-level executive and engaging, motivating speaker with 30+ years of wins, losses and hard-earned lessons.

    Hire Dr. Fraga to Speak

Kind words

“Dr. Lynette Fraga brings a wealth of leadership experience and a great passion for helping others reach their full potential.

As a nationally recognized expert and advocate in early care and education, she has carefully navigated deeply entrenched systems of power. She skillfully draws from her personal leadership experiences to catalyze growth in others. Her coaching style is both encouraging and challenging, pushing you to gain new perspectives.

—Thelma Wong, Principal Consultant, Jeong Collective

Two female nonprofit executives of color are laughing as they informally present to their colleagues. The older one stands while the younger one sits.

time to get fierce

Activate bold leadership in your nonprofit career or organization.