About
Inspired by the Japanese word “suru (する),” meaning “to do.”
Suru is our consulting ethos — doing the work to transform nonprofits and bring their meaningful visions to life.
Suru Consulting collaborates with nonprofit executives and boards to build the foundation and pillars that are core to the long-term success and impact of nonprofit organizations: leadership, strategy, and resources.
Our approach is in-depth and collaborative. We do not offer surface-level deliverables or one-and-done solutions. Lasting impact requires sustained commitment. As a boutique consulting firm specializing in 501(c)(3) nonprofits, our responsive services are high-touch and high-impact.
Clients describe our work as transformative, insightful, empowering, and thoughtful. Our services address the root problems of our clients, often stemming from a gap in nonprofit management skills or governance expertise. Paired with emotional attunement and relationship-building, Suru’s approach provides the breadth and depth necessary to overcome complex organizational challenges and set nonprofits up for excellence and impact.
Suru Consulting serves 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations nationwide, with a focus on start-up and growth-phase organizations. Services are scoped collaboratively, tailoring deliverables to each client's unique needs.
Suru’s Founder & Principal: Pauline Herrera, MNM, CFRE, CESG
With nearly three decades of service in the nonprofit and impact industry, Pauline Herrera draws from deep experience at multiple organizational levels: director, executive, board, advisory, and consulting.
Paired with her deep sector knowledge is her commitment to transformative, collaborative work with fellow changemakers and impact leaders. She draws inspiration from the visions and actions of her colleagues and clients. Through Suru, Pauline delivers responsive services that strengthen the leadership, strategy, and resources of 501(c)(3) nonprofits across the U.S.
Pauline’s background includes a decade as the Executive Director and then President & CEO of the Denver Architecture Foundation. Under her leadership, the organization’s budget tripled, the team expanded, and program offerings and participation increased in both quality and quantity. Highlights from her tenure include securing the organization’s first major gift and developing the foundation’s most diverse and inclusive board.
Other career highlights include directing Communications & Marketing for the City of Denver's Office of Cultural Affairs, a promotion following her successful spearheading of the inaugural “One Book, One Denver” initiative during former Mayor John Hickenlooper’s first term.
She has also worked on the staff of, served on the board of, or collaborated with many well-respected arts and culture organizations and their leaders: Denver Art Museum, History Colorado, Denver Public Library, Clyfford Still Museum, Denver Botanic Gardens, Museo de las Américas, Association of Architecture Organizations, and more.
Pauline launched Suru Consulting in 2024 to continue her journey in supporting the transformation and development of small to mid-size nonprofit organizations.
How can Suru help?
Suru Consulting’s services are responsive to the needs of clients and align with best practices of the nonprofit sector. Share your nonprofit story with us or request an introductory call.