Dr. Macfarlan conducted a board training where over 80% of the board were new to our board and new to serving on any nonprofit board. Her training energized the board ensuring we all understood the importance of our board responsibilities. Her resourcefulness and expertise in board governance was an asset to our training.
Dr. Bernard Turner,
GPC Associate Professor, Social Entrepreneurship Director, Center for Social Entrepreneurship
Belmont University
I worked with Deb this past year and her executive coaching really provided me with confidence in my role leading our team. She brought fresh insights and skills with each appointment. I would recommend Deb to anyone looking to solidify their executive role in their organization.
Cheryl Chunn
Vice President of Development
Nashville Rescue Mission
"Deb is like the best friend you didn't know you always had who is just waiting to support you to fulfill your dreams to help others. She brought her brand new strategic plan process to Mending Hearts and we are stronger for it with a clear path to serve more. Deb listened, learned as much as she could about me and Mending Hearts, and poured her team's expertise into our efforts to grow. Just love her."
Trina Frierson
Co-Founder, Mending Hearts, Inc.
“Go, do good!” isn’t something that Deb exhorts others to do. She embodies it, inspires others to do the same, and then along the way ensures that they are empowered to be successful.
In 2020, Deb envisioned the creation of an internship program for students of her alma mater, Vassar College. Despite the pandemic, she created an internship position in Nashville and funded an internship position in Poughkeepsie. Her daughter, Casey, thoughtfully curated a series of weekly workshops throughout the summer that served both as a guide to “all you need to know about being successful in your first job” and a guide on “how to figure out what you’re looking for in a first job.” To provide context (and a fair amount of inspiration), they invited several founders of local social enterprises to speak about their experiences.
It is rare to find people who are willing to give of their time and talents with no expectations of a tangible return. I have been truly astounded by Deb and Casey's unconditional generosity.
Lisa R. Kaul, D. Phil.
Director, Office of Community-Engaged Learning
Vassar College
Deb Macfarlan Enright of The Macfarlan Group has been a consultant and facilitator with CNM for over 3 years bringing with her not only a wealth of knowledge and skills, but also a collaborative approach that is a true partnership when working with her. Deb is a creative thinker, solutions-focused, and a warrior for social and racial justice. Finding ourselves at a crossways with nonprofit training, Deb worked with CNM to design a new certificate for emerging nonprofit leaders. In addition to her curriculum design and facilitation, Deb also brought her network, including a diverse panel of leaders to share real life leadership experiences, providing the certificate participants tangible examples of successful leadership. Deb is also on the cutting-edge of technology, research, and finding methods to streamline an organization’s strategy and operations to alleviate pressure from an already burdened nonprofit staff. CNM is grateful to Deb for the many, many ways she contributes her knowledge, skills, and passion for the nonprofit sector – CNM is a better organization because of the partnership with Deb and The Macfarlan Group.
Megan O'Rourke
Special Projects Director
Center for Nonprofit Management
My experience in working with The Macfarlan Group has been exceptional! Deb has assisted our organization step by step and has practiced "Active listening" to thoroughly understand our current needs. After receiving our Journey Readiness Score, she has been instrumental in guiding us on making informed decisions to ensure our organization achieves our goals. She is excellent at helping you keep one eye on what is in front of you, while not losing sight of the long term vision. I could not be happier with my experience thus far and am so excited to have Deb involved in this process!
Cayla O'Leary
Executive Director
Economic Club of Nashville
New Hope Academy (Franklin, TN) has had the distinct pleasure of working with The Macfarlan Group on several major institutional projects and we continue to be impressed by the level of professionalism, expertise, and ownership Dr. Macfarlan Enright and her team have displayed. From fundraising and marketing to strategic planning, The Macfarlan Group has helped improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our entire organization which allows us to deliver on our missional promise at a much higher level.
Dr. Devin DeLaughter
Past Head of School
New Hope Academy
Deb is a talented consultant who brings the right mix of encouragement, accountability, and expertise. She coached us on launching our capital campaign, and from the first meeting we knew she was the right fit.
She was quick to understand what we needed, and she has shared practical tools and tips that we have been able to implement successfully.
Lindsey Harris
Past Co-Executive Director at TIRRC
"I’ve known Deb Enright for about 5-6 years since I’ve had the pleasure of working with and alongside her on Vassar College’s alumni board. Deb is truly special. She is a master communicator, strategic thinker, leader and innovator. She adds value and sage counsel to any team that someone would have the pleasure of working with her on. She always puts the “team” and the needs of the “organization” first, ahead of what might benefit her personally. I’ve seen all of this firsthand when we’ve had to navigate through several challenging board decisions throughout our tenure together. Any organization would be enriched by Deb's presence on their executive team."
Sharon Chang
Partner, Non-Scripted Television and Broadcasting at WME
(William Morris Endeavor)
"When I began my job in development and marketing, I knew very little about what those fields entailed. Deb immediately "adopted" me and helped guide me through many new experiences that would have otherwise left me completely in the dark. Her mentorship over the past year has been instrumental in strategy development, event planning, and fundraising planning for my nonprofit.
Deb's wisdom (and kind heart!) have made my transition into this profession a smooth one, and I am eternally grateful for all her guidance!"
Lauren Kissinger
Child and Youth Advocate and Educator
"Deb designed and facilitated our 4:13 Strong Board Retreat. We left the Retreat with a comprehensive understanding of our organization's programming, how to increase our impact through actionable steps, and how the experience and expertise of each Board member can add value to our mission."
Ed Mitchell
Vice Chair at 4:13 Strong
"I met Deb when I joined the Board of Directors for the Maryland Farms YMCA.
I also served with Deb on the Heroes in Heels committee, a fashion show benefiting the After Breast Cancer program through the YMCA. I have attended several events where she shared her story. I feel as though Deb is one of the best communicators I know. Last spring I attended a fundraiser for a local nonprofit. I left the event extremely impressed by how well and concise the messaging was. The mission was clear, the purpose of the event understood and the stories of impact clearly articulated. I found out later that Deb was the communicator and coach behind the cause!"
Catherine Birdwell
Director of Religious Education at Holy Family Catholic Church
"Deb is an endlessly energetic advocate for non-profit organizations. She and I serve together on the Alumnae Association Board of Directors of Vassar College, our shared alma mater. No task is too large or too small for Deb, and she brings equal enthusiasm, common sense, and good judgment to any project she takes on. In particular, I've worked closely with her in my role as Chair of the Board's Clubs Committee, which oversees two dozen regional groups of alumni around the world. While our Committee is very successful at engaging graduates in major cities, we struggle in areas with smaller populations. Deb has helped us think through the best ways of engaging these alumni. She even put together multiple events in Nashville, at minimal cost, that raised a tremendous amount of goodwill for the community and the College. Working with her is an absolute pleasure; Deb always brings a ready smile and a can-do attitude to her tasks. Vassar is better for her service, and I am a better volunteer for having worked with her."
Brian Farkas, J.D.
Trustee, Vassar College
Find Hope Franklin engaged The Macfarlan Group to help us vision the next steps for our organization which focuses on improving the mental health and suicide prevention in our community. Thanks to their help, we now have a solid strategy to move forward.
Ken Moore
Mayor, City of Franklin, TN
Working with Deb Macfarlan Enright has been such an incredible experience. Through her coaching one on one, she has helped me grow as a woman in business and helped me gain more confidence in my daily work and public speaking. She is so kind and truly makes you feel comfortable. She can speak directly to you with exactly what you need to hear in a caring way that makes even tough words easily digestible. She has made me a better person. If you are considering her coaching one on one, do it! You will gain so much more than you ever imagined.
Elaine Whitney
Founder, Director of Development, One Generation Away