Do Great Work

Helping mission-focused businesses and organizations do great work.

ABOUT

Thomas Bruner, Principal

From CEO of a scrappy start up in Texas, to Vice President with the nation’s largest humanitarian organization in Washington, D.C., to volunteer at a Buddhist temple in Portland, Oregon, Thomas Bruner has been helping mission-focused businesses and organizations do great work for decades. Across the country, Bruner has successfully built and strengthened organizations, mobilized communities to respond to critical issues and needs, and marshalled the resources of the public, private, and social sectors.

A nationally recognized leader, Bruner brings a wealth of experience to his work, including years of executive-level leadership, a master’s degree in clinical psychology, a diversity management certificate from Cornell University, an impressive portfolio of volunteer community engagement, and numerous awards and accolades.

Besides all that, Thomas Bruner is: A Doer. Energetic. Optimistic. World traveler. Buddhist. Personable. Brother. Uncle. Smart. Accomplished. Passionate. Dog lover. Change agent. Innovative. Spanish student. Dreamer. Native Texan. Adventurous. Part-time Mexico resident. Fixer. Lifelong learner. Fun.

“Ensuring businesses and organizations thrive, are resilient and healthy, and have meaningful impact – this is great work.”

The Bruner Strategies Advantage

EXPERIENCED

Our team aren’t just talkers. We’ve done this work. Built organizations. Run businesses. Turned around institutions.

SUCCESSFUL

We have measurable results and data to show for how we’ve strengthened and advanced organizations.

BROAD-BASED

Bruner’s team has worked in and with an array of organizations – big and small, private and public, corporate and nonprofit.

LOCAL TO GLOBAL

The Bruner Strategies team has lived and worked down the street, across the country, and around the world.

RECOGNIZED

Our team has been honored with multiple awards and accolades from our peers, the press, and the community.

STRATEGIC

We are strategists and systems thinkers – skilled in seeing how the parts shape, connect to, and influence the whole.

FORWARD-THINKING

Bruner Strategies is innovative – skilled at seeing beyond today to where organizations are headed and need to go.

RESULTS FOCUSED

We focus on results. We understand the difference between process and outputs, and impact and outcomes.

ENGAGING

Our team isn’t just smart, we’re skilled facilitators – energetic, engaging, personable, and motivating.

SERVICES

Practice Areas

Governance is more than just a set of rules; it’s the foundation that propels organizations forward.

Governance

At Bruner Strategies, we don’t just understand governance—we’ve lived it. With a proven track record of collaborating with, managing, and serving on over 200 Boards of Directors, our team has worked across a diverse spectrum of organizations, from dynamic start-ups to global industry leaders and nonprofit powerhouses. Our extensive experience gives us a unique, insider perspective on governance practices, stakeholder engagement, and the intricacies of how different organizations thrive in a variety of sectors.

Why Governance Matters

We believe that governance is more than just a set of rules; it’s the foundation that propels organizations forward. Strong, ethical governance is the cornerstone of businesses that not only survive but thrive. It’s what allows decisions to be made with purpose, risks to be navigated with confidence, and every stakeholder’s voice to be heard. By fostering a culture of transparency, accountability, and integrity, good governance strengthens an organization’s resilience and positions it for lasting success.

Tailored Strategies for Great Governance

Our team works alongside you to strengthen your Board of Directors through strategies that are as unique as your organization. We collaborate to elevate your governance practices, ensuring your board is equipped to drive growth, navigate challenges, and build trust. Our specialized services include:

Governance Assessments. Analyze current practices to uncover strengths and areas for improvement.
Corporate Bylaws & Job Descriptions. Craft clear, actionable structures that align with your vision.
Committee Charters & Structure. Optimize committees for efficiency and impact.
Strategic Recruitment & Onboarding. Bring in the right leadership and get them up to speed quickly.
CEO & Board Relations. Foster strong, collaborative relationships for seamless decision-making.
CEO Performance Evaluation. Provide insights to help the CEO lead with purpose and accountability.
Meeting Planning & Management. Streamline your meetings to focus on what truly matters.
Annual Governance Evaluations. Ensure that governance remains agile and effective year after year.

My dad was a true leader and defied one stereotype of aging. The older he got, the more open and intellectually curious he became. Quicker to say, "I don’t know," "I made a mistake," or "I never thought about it that way." When he died at 87, he was a great example of a lifelong learner.

Leadership

At Bruner Strategies, leadership is at the heart of everything we do. We’ve been leaders and serve in a variety of leadership roles today. And with years of experience working with leaders across every sector—CEOs, elected officials, board chairs, faith community leaders, and those aspiring to lead—we understand the complex and evolving nature of effective leadership. And not just conceptually, but in practical, real-word terms.

Why Leadership Matters

Leadership isn’t defined by a title or position—it’s shaped by a combination of personal qualities, professional skills, and behaviors that inspire others to follow, collaborate, and achieve a shared vision. True leaders are adaptable, empathetic, decisive, communicative, and resilient. They have the integrity to lead with authenticity and the emotional intelligence to connect deeply with others. All while understanding the need to make decisions and choices, including in tough circumstances.

Tailored Strategies for Great Leadership

Whether you’re currently leading or working toward leadership, Bruner Strategies is here to help you develop the skills, mindset, and strategies to become an impactful and effective leader. Our approach is customized to meet the unique needs of each individual, helping you unlock your full potential with guidance in key areas such as:

Executive Coaching. Tailored, one-on-one coaching to enhance your leadership impact.
Skills Assessment. In-depth analysis to identify your strengths and areas for growth.
Communication Skills. Master the art of clear, confident, and persuasive communication.
Conflict Management. Build the tools to resolve conflicts and build stronger teams.
Professional Development. Continuous growth to elevate your leadership capabilities.
Career Pathing. Navigate the trajectory of your leadership journey with clarity and purpose.
Lifelong Learning. Cultivate a growth mindset and keep evolving as a leader.
Mindfulness. Enhance emotional intelligence and resilience through mindfulness techniques.

A great strategic plan isn't just a document, but a living, breathing framework that fuels long-term growth, adaptability, and success.

Strategic Planning

Bruner Strategies partners with organizations to create strategic plans that not only guide growth but actively drive continuous improvement. We believe your strategic plan should be more than just a roadmap – it’s a dynamic framework that adapts to evolving challenges and opportunities, ensuring your organization thrives for years to come.

Why Strategic Planning Matters

Great strategic plans can have a profound impact on your business or organization. An exceptional plan is one that guides you toward sustained success while remaining flexible to shift as the world around you changes. A thoughtfully crafted and well-implemented plan provides multiple advantages by helping you:

Navigate changing environments and conditions – internal and external – with agility.
Make data-driven decisions grounded in internal and external trends and information.
Create focus by setting clear, actionable priorities that are known and understood by your team.
Define results-driven goals that are achievable, relevant, and timely.
Engage stakeholders to ensure alignment, buy-in, and commitment.
Boost organizational performance with a shared vision and plan of action.
Ensure accountability through clear implementation timelines and outcome metrics.

Tailored Strategies for Strategic Planning

At Bruner Strategies, we offer custom-tailored solutions to ensure your plan includes the key components that will propel your business forward:

Clear Vision and Mission that align with your core values and purpose.
Comprehensive Situational Analysis to inform every decision, including a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) and in-depth market research.
Stakeholder Engagement to align and empower all parties involved.
Clear and Prioritized Goals to keep everyone focused and motivated.
Actionable Strategies and Tactics that are realistic and impactful.
Smart Resource Allocation to maximize your investment.
Performance Metrics and KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) to track progress and measure success.
Detailed Implementation Timelines to ensure consistent momentum and follow through.
Clear Communication across all levels for transparency and. understanding.
Continuous Evaluation and Adaptation to keep the plan relevant and responsive.

Let’s work together to create a strategic plan that isn’t just a document, but a living, breathing framework that fuels long-term growth, adaptability, and success.

I got into my work to change the world. But when I became Executive Director of a poorly funded start-up at the age of 26, I learned that my passion for changing the world would go a lot farther if I learned how to raise money.

Development

At Bruner Strategies, we’ve helped organizations across the country raise over $400 million—funds that directly fuel their missions and drive meaningful change in communities worldwide. With decades of experience as CEOs, executives, board members, volunteers, and donors, our team offers a unique, hands-on approach that combines strategic insight with a donor-centric, results-driven focus. We’ve worked with organizations on all points of the development continuum – from established pros to newbies.

Why Development Matters

Great fundraising is about much more than just collecting money. It’s about building a foundation for lasting growth, ensuring organizations can fully realize their mission, and cultivating a loyal, engaged community of supporters for the long haul. Whether you’re launching a new initiative, scaling an established institution, or strengthening a community-driven cause, fundraising is the cornerstone of achieving both immediate and long-term goals.

Tailored Strategies for Great Development

Bruner’s team is dedicated to helping organizations assess and elevate their development efforts, crafting personalized strategies that lead to greater success. Our services are designed to meet the unique needs of each client in the following key areas:

Development Assessments and Audits that identify your strengths, assets, and opportunities to improve.
Board Development and Training that motivates, inspires, and builds confidence of leadership to engage in fundraising.
Executive and Board Coaching to ensure leaders have actionable, achievable, and individualized plans for fundraising.
Foundation Program Design to identify, cultivate, and engage public, private, and family foundations in advancing your work.
Securing Government Grants that propel your mission with significant funds through multiyear contracts.
Major Gift Programs that help you grow your current donors and engage new supporters with an affinity for your work.
Planned Giving Strategies that provide your donors an opportunity to leave a legacy and ensures future support for your mission.
Corporate Giving Programs that leverage the credibility, reach, and marketing of businesses that are aligned with your mission.
High-Impact Special Events to reinforce relationships with current donors and introduce potential supporters to your organization.
Innovative Crowdfunding Campaigns that amplify your message and expand your reach to new audiences and demographics.

Together, we’ll not only secure funding but also create lasting change.

My mom taught school in a tough, poor Latino district in San Antonio, Texas. She was passionate about the conditions her kids faced every day – at home, in the streets, and in the classroom. She taught me to be passionate about equity and inclusion, too.

Inclusion

For decades, Bruner Strategies has been a trailblazer in advancing inclusion – before there was an acronym for the work, and before it became a topic of conversation. But we don’t just see it as good social policy; we view it as a crucial business and organizational strategy—one that’s essential for staying relevant, responsive, effective, and competitive in today’s rapidly evolving, multicultural world. We go beyond talk and training to operationalize, integrate, and embed this work across your organization.

Why Inclusion Matters

At Bruner Strategies, we help businesses and organizations turn inclusion into powerful tools for impact, reach, transformation, and growth. By embedding these principles into every layer of your organization, we set you up to thrive in an ever-changing environment. Our approach can equip you to:

Attract and Retain Talent. Build a workforce that reflects your clients, consumers, and customers, and is dynamic and passionate.
Drive Innovation. Harness different perspectives and life experiences to spark creativity and forward-thinking.
Stay Ahead of the Curve. Adapt quickly to emerging social and financial trends, client needs, and consumer preferences.
Engage a Broader Audience. Effectively communicate with and engage growing communities and emerging markets.
Deliver Exceptional Service. Provide services and products that resonate with and meet the needs of customers and clients.
Strengthen Relationships. Cultivate trust and loyalty with current and prospective clients and customers.

Tailored Strategies for Great Inclusion

We work alongside you to cultivate cultural agility and responsiveness, going beyond talk and basic training to integrate inclusion into your organization’s DNA. We craft strategies that are tailored to your unique needs, helping you to:

Conduct Organizational Assessments and Audits that identify your strengths, assets, and opportunities to grow and improve.
Strengthen Governance and Policy to bolster, operationalize, and sustain equity and inclusion at the leadership level.
Enhance Talent Acquisition and Development to attract, retain, and develop employees who reflect your customers and clients.
Foster Team-Building and Conflict Resolution: Establish shared values and purpose, and learn how to navigate differences effectively.
Amplify your Communications and Marketing to resonate with new and emerging customers, clients, and communities.
Develop Products and Services that meet the needs and preferences of current and prospective customers and clients.
Provide Responsive Service Delivery that meets clients and customers where they are, and engenders trust and loyalty.
Engage Suppliers and Vendors in ways that support and expand your work, broaden your network, and establish deeper connections.

Let Bruner Strategies be your partner in navigating the future, making inclusion the foundation for lasting success.

ENDORSEMENTS

"Thomas Bruner is a visionary, innovator and thought leader. Early in the HIV epidemic, he saw the emerging disparities in African Americans. He mobilized our community’s Black leaders, opened an office in the historically Black part of our city, and hired me to develop culturally-specific programming. He was an amazing boss and caring mentor, and inspires me still today."

Krystal JamesDiversity Outreach Coordinator, AIDS Outreach Center | Precinct Administrator, Tarrant County Commissioners Court | Special Projects Manager, Tarrant County College

“I’ve worked with Thomas Bruner for years. He’s a smart, strategic, innovative and visionary leader. He’s also an accomplished fundraiser, leading Cascade AIDS Project, Red Cross and Susan G. Komen to greater fundraising success. And Thomas is a champion for diversity. He has led transformation at majority-culture organizations, helping them become far more diverse, equitable and inclusive at every level.”

Shelli Romero EdwardsArea Manager, Oregon Department of Transportation | President, Rose City Chica, LLC | Oregon Government Ethics Commission | Portland Parks & Recreation Board

“Thomas was extremely effective in helping Dharma Rain manage our capital campaign. He provided board and staff training, developed individualized donor portfolios, and built systems for reporting and tracking. He coached, cheer led and prodded through a deft combination of enthusiasm, patience, focus and accountability. Thomas helped change our culture around fundraising. With his leadership, we exceeded our goal, ahead of schedule.”

Kakumyo-Lowe ChardeCo-Abbott, Dharma Rain Zen Center | Member, American Zen Teachers Association | Member, Soto Zen Buddhist Association

CLIENTS

Bruner Strategies Clients

Our team has exceptional breadth of organizational development expertise. As consultants, executives, and board members, we’ve strengthened mission-focused businesses and organizations across multiple sectors. Institutions with 35,000 employees and $3.4 billion budgets. Mid-size organizations. Emerging start-ups. All-volunteer community groups. In the U.S., we’ve worked in Texas, California, New York, Oregon, Minnesota, and Alabama. Internationally, our work has taken us to India, Venezuela, Mexico, Canada, and beyond.