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LSS Featured in Forbes

Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan (LSS) was recently featured in Forbes. LSS President & CEO Héctor Colón shared the remarkable story of how LSS overcame a decade of financial losses and high staff turnover.

In the article, Héctor outlines four bold board decisions that drove the organization’s transformation:

  • Clarifying roles to empower executives while building a more diverse and engaged board.
  • Prioritizing strategy and sector education so board members became thought partners, not passive reviewers.
  • Strengthening financial expertise by adding CEOs, CPAs, and financial professionals to guide sustainable growth.
  • Instituting annual board evaluations to foster accountability and continuous improvement.

The results speak for themselves: LSS increased cash reserves from $73,000 to $32 million, divested $25 million in underperforming programs, and added $60 million in strategic growth—all while boosting staff morale and confidence in the mission.

“Bold, intentional governance doesn’t just safeguard a mission—it accelerates it,” Colón writes. Discover how Héctor believes strong governance can be a powerful engine for change across any nonprofit: Read the full story on Forbes.