In this compelling episode of Cutting Through the Clutter, host Cyndee Woolley welcomes Cecilia Sepp, a recognized authority in nonprofit management who’s dedicated her career to revolutionizing how associations and nonprofits operate in the 21st century. As a certified association executive and advanced certified nonprofit professional, Cecilia brings both academic rigor and real-world experience to every challenge.
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As founder and principal of Rogue Tulips Nonprofit Consulting and author of “Association Chapter Systems: From Frustrating to Fruitful,” Cecilia brings over 20 years of expertise to bear on one of the sector’s most critical challenges: maintaining ethical standards while fulfilling mission-driven work. Fresh off earning her Leadership Professional in Ethics and Compliance certification, Cecilia shares eye-opening examples of ethical failures—from the National Association of Realtors’ cultural crisis to the Corcoran Gallery’s devastating collapse—demonstrating how reputation remains nonprofits’ most valuable currency.
The discussion tackles modern ethical dilemmas head-on, including the minefield of social media conduct, the anonymous nature of digital communication, and the emerging challenges of AI-generated content. Cecilia introduces practical frameworks like the “conscience fiduciary” approach and emphasizes the importance of graduated enforcement mechanisms rather than all-or-nothing responses.
Whether you’re leading a volunteer board, managing a large association, or stewarding nonprofit resources, this episode offers actionable strategies for building ethical cultures through codes of conduct, ethics committees, continuous training, and clear accountability systems. As Cecilia explains, “ethics can totally innovate the way we approach how we treat each other, how we treat our members and other stakeholders and how we make those business decisions.”
Links and Resources:
Connect with Cecilia Sepp on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ceciliasepp/
Rogue Tulips Nonprofit Consulting & Association Management Services LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rogue-tulips-llc/
Website: www.roguetulips.com
Podcast: www.roguetulips.com/podcast
Instagram: @roguetulips.llc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RogueTulipsNonprofitConsulting
