Meet Neil Aasve
President & Founder
CliftonStrengths Top 5:
1. Input 2. Ideation 3. Analytical 4. Learner 5. Intellection
Neil is a certified fundraiser, experienced team builder and program manager. In 2008, following a decade long career in photography, sales training and management he decided to pursue his passion for education and teaching, and enrolled in the Urban Teaching Program at Metropolitan State University, St. Paul, Minnesota.
He learned more about the concerning state of our education system, and quickly found himself in community organizing and advocacy roles, and decided policy and nonprofit work was a better fit than being a classroom teacher.
Since 2010 he has enjoyed his second career in community organizing, public policy and nonprofit management. He has worked for education, environmental and LGBTQ organizations, with a unwavering commitment to engage people in their communities and public life.
In 2017 he achieved a long-time goal: Launched a new nonprofit organization focused on education. While living in Denver he was hired as the founding Executive Director of Coloradans for Public Education Policy (C4PEP).
In 2020, Neil began focusing his career on fundraising and development, and completed his fundraising certification at St. Thomas University. He founded the Visibility Impact Fund and is a full-time Grant Development Specialist for Normandale Community College.
Neil loves the outdoors and when he is not consulting he enjoys hiking, camping, and long distance running.
Testimonials
“Neil has the passion and drive to help nonprofit organizations make an even greater impact. He has an excellent vision for strategic plans and is a very talented organizer. His trainings lead to positive changes and successful outcomes.”
Elsbeth Howe
Former Executive Director
Students United
"The hardest part of any non-profit is getting up and running. Neil knows what a non-profit needs, why it’s needed, and how to listen to board members and stakeholders."
Ilana Spiegel
Board Chair
Coloradans for Public Education Policy
“Having Neil guide our strategic planning session was invaluable. He kept us focused, ensuring we used our time effectively and efficiently. He asked the right questions to get at the core of our organization and then distilled a wide range of information down into its essence, aligning us around a set of common goals. Perhaps the best part though was giving us the "next steps" for implementation, so we have an active plan, not a report that sits dusty on a shelf.
In addition, it was really helpful to have an expert facilitate our session so all members could participate, and not have to try and play the dual role of leader and participant which is basically impossible. ”
Felicity Britton
Vice Chair
Minneapolis Climate Action