Sonya was able to spark ambassadorship amongst the leadership, and a stronger culture of fundraising across departments. It was Sonya’s strategic communication and thought leadership that played an instrumental role in the organization winning the Nonprofit Excellence Award in 2017.

Sonya left BCS in 2018, and launched her own consulting practice working with dozens of nonprofits including Rainbow Railroad, Children of Promise, NYC, Partners in Dignity and Human Rights, Interfaith Center for Corporate Responsibility, National Harm Reduction Coalition, and the Washington, DC Tennis and Education Foundation to name a few. It was during that time that she participated in Cause Effective’s survey that investigated the lived experiences of people of color in development. The results of the survey were shared in the Money, Power and Race Report and by 2019, Sonya was the lead facilitator in Cause Effective’s Preparing the Next Generation cohort program for BIPOC senior development professionals. For 3 ½ years, Sonya served as a Senior Associate and helped to build Cause Effective’s BIPOC cohort program, guided the organization in centering DEI in workshops, and provided consulting and coaching services to clients. During this time, Sonya also held positions as the Chief Operating Officer at Getting Out Staying Out and then Vice President of Strategic Growth at Children of Promise, NYC.

But it was Sonya’s vision, marketing, and thought leadership that elevated Cause Effective’s brand throughout the years and inspired her to join the team full-time. In 2023, she became the Senior Director of Strategic Growth and Innovation and helped to host a successful 40th anniversary event. It was at that special event, Sonya was announced as the new Executive Director and President and she served in the position for one year.