About Us

    Sutherland Strategies was established in 2002 by Christina Sutherland Mockler, Founder and Managing Partner. Chris has more than thirty years of leadership experience in philanthropy, organizational development and nonprofit management. She has a deep knowledge of - and commitment to - community philanthropy, with first-hand experience working at the COO, Vice President and Director of Programs levels of two community foundations. Our Senior Associate, Julie Pruniski, leads our organizational and structural assessments practice, provides project management on all projects, and conducts project research and analysis. We work with clients nationwide and internationally.

     

    "Sutherland Strategies has an uncommon gift for taking things that are complicated and making them easier to understand."

    Terence MulliganPresident, Napa Valley Community Foundation

    Our Team

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    Christina Sutherland Mockler, Founder and Managing Partner

    Christina Sutherland Mockler has an extensive background in organizational development, nonprofit management and fund development gleaned from more than thirty years in nonprofit leadership and grantmaking. Before founding Sutherland Strategies in 2002, Chris served as Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Programs and Donor Services for the East Bay Community Foundation, a $130 million foundation, where she managed a staff of twenty-seven, six departments and an annual operating budget of more than $3 million. She also served as Director of Programs for the Peninsula Community Foundation (now part of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation) and as an Executive Director of multiple nonprofits. Chris brings expertise in donor services, grantmaking, community leadership, strategy and organizational development. A leader in the community foundation field for more than twenty years, Chris also serves as an advisor to CFLeads, the thought leader among community foundations on the discipline and practice of community leadership.
    EDUCATIONUniversity of California, Los Angeles, Bachelor of Arts in Social History of Poverty

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    Julie Pruniski, Senior Associate

    Julie Pruniski brings twenty years of project management and consulting experience with for profit and nonprofit organizations to Sutherland Strategies. Her experience includes strategic planning, organizational development, large-scale event planning, client relationship management and grantwriting. She began her career in human capital consulting at Arthur Andersen, followed by her role as a senior account manager with a custom publishing company where she led the development of web and print publications for Fortune 500 clients. Julie also helped launch Extend Fertility, a start-up focused on preserving women’s fertility that received national press in publications such as Newsweek, The New York Times and Forbes.
    EDUCATIONStanford University, Bachelor of Arts in SociologyVanderbilt University, Owen Graduate School of Management, Master of Business Administration

    Contact Us

    Sutherland StrategiesOakland, CAPhone: (510) 381-0477

    Testimonials

    "The depth and breadth of community foundation knowledge that the team at Sutherland Strategies demonstrates is unparalleled in my experience. Not only do they know the community foundation field well, they are highly skilled in organizational development and deliver on objectives with professionalism, expertise and warmth."

    Shelley Hoss

    President, Orange County Community Foundation

    "Both my board and the Women's Foundation board think you walk on water. Last night we had the Board Invitational and EVERYONE was talking about what a great job you did and how excited they are and loved your knowledge of trends in the field. I think this could result in an annual visit to us! THANK YOU for helping to move both boards forward.”

    Eileen Connolly-Keesler

    President/CEO, Community Foundation of Collier County

    "Sutherland Strategies helped the Community Foundation of Greater Flint develop an equity-focused strategic plan by engaging the hearts and minds of trustees and other stakeholders.Their work is exemplary, executed with a wealth of understanding and foresight regarding the field of philanthropy. Chris and the team stay ahead of deadlines and hold organizations accountable to do the same."

    Isaiah M. Oliver, President and CEO | George Wilkinson, Board Chair

    Community Foundation of Greater Flint

    "The Sutherland Strategies team did a superb job in guiding the strategic planning process for our community foundation. The fact that they have deep experience with community foundations made all the difference."

    Deborah Onslow

    Former Board Chair, Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region