Our Mission

Holste Consulting is an Association Management Company that is dedicated to working with nonprofits that wish to thrive and flourish. We believe the most successful organizations encourage member involvement, ownership, and a clear understanding of the internal issues, visions, and goals.

We focus on helping nonprofits better define their member value which results in better retention and growth.

With our growing team, we have the ability to fulfill any and all needs to accomplish the desired goals of our organizations. We accomplish this through our wide variety of unique services that are customized to any nonprofit.

Together, we help our clients grow their memberships by reaching their communities.

Our Services

• Direct, plan and manage organization events
• Solicit sponsorships for the organization and events
• Serve as event MC (when needed)
• Develop and oversee the implementation and advancement of the organization’s strategic plan and workplan
• Promote the mission of the organization to funders, collaborative partners, and broader community
• Provide staff support for proper board operations
• Administrative support
• Work with board to identify and recruit board members and identify succession plans for future board members
• Create position descriptions for board members
• Determine board composition, including desired characteristics and qualifications of board members
• Ensure board responsibilities, such as board of orientation, and ensuring bylaws and policies are up to date and followed
• Create and amend policies as necessary
• Help committees define work plans
• Work with Treasurer and/or Finance Committees to manage the day-to-day financial operations, including processing of financial transactions and reporting
• Work with the bookkeeping company to process monthly transactions and produce monthly reports
• Plan and implement an annual budget
• Ensures compliance of necessary federal, state and other legal entities as necessary to maintain the association’s financial health and compliance with 501 C-3 status
• Ensure proper insurance is purchased
• Identify successful efforts to grow and sustain membership
• Maintain the membership database
• Articulate member value
• Create and maintain the organization’s website
• Manage the organization’s website and social media presence
• Provide regular newsletter content
• Understand how relevant policies of proposed legislation impacts the organization
• Join with like organizations to create and strengthen impact on public policy when appropriate or desired
• Overall responsibility of government relations when allowed and utilizing the strict policies of the legal environment of the nonprofit
• Create fundraising goals and work a plan to accomplish them
• Establish ongoing communication/progress reports to the board and funders as needed
• Work with board to support current and future volunteers
• Create a volunteer plan to recruit, engage, supervise, recognize and retain volunteers
• Ensure mission, vision and values are up to date, understood, and used as a guiding star for the organization
• Create and implement an organizational strategic plan
• Produce annual accomplishments and annual reports when requested
• Supervise, recruit, hire, oversee and manage any volunteers, students or interns
• Access outside sources for training of board members, employees, or contracted staff of the organization

We pride ourselves on a wide variety of services, experiences and backgrounds to help your organization hit current goals but to continue to sustain the momentum.

We offer services as a package or a la carte.

Meet the team.

Heidi Holste

CEO
Prior to starting Holste Consulting, Heidi worked for over 20 years in various government relations and advocacy roles, including serving as Executive Director of a nonprofit health care and human service organization.
Heidi is equipped with a wide variety of skills from both her personal and professional background that drives her to make a difference and ensure success in the roles she holds within organizations.

As a strong leader, collaborator, and decision maker, Heidi enjoys working alongside members toward a mission.
Robin Ronayne

PROJECT MANAGER
Robin is a results-oriented marketing professional with over 22 years in the business world. As an account executive she developed marketing and advertising strategy for Fortune 500 companies including 3M, Target and Ceridian.
Robin left the agency world and moved to Best Buy, as a marketing manager. She was responsible for overseeing the gift card program from design to instore.

She thrives in helping others, solving problems, creating connections, and developing processes and procedures.
Lisa Hayes

MEMBER & EVENTS MANAGER
With over 20 years of experience in project management, marketing, and training and development, Lisa has a proven track record in her field.
She began her career at Target Corporation and Best Buy, where she worked in various roles for the first 15 years.
For the past 12 years, Lisa has successfully operated her own consulting business, collaborating with both public and non-profit organizations.
Danielle Kalnbach

MARKETING SPECIALIST/ADMIN SUPPORT
Danielle is a versatile marketing specialist with a strong background in social media management, graphic design, and administrative support. With years of hands-on experience, she excels at creating compelling content, growing online communities, and developing brand-aligned visuals using tools like Canva.
Her creative eye and strategic mindset make her a go-to for everything from social media campaigns to marketing materials, always delivering results that connect and inspire. Danielle pairs her marketing skills with a solid foundation in admin support, ensuring projects stay organized, deadlines are met, and teams operate smoothly.
Whether she’s designing, planning, or problem-solving, Danielle brings a mix of creativity, strategy, and reliability to everything she does.
Ella Ronayne

EVENT MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR
Ella Ronayne is a sophomore at University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has a strong background in communication coordination, with a focus on supporting nonprofit organizations and helping them share their mission effectively along with marketing. She helps plan, promote, and organize events by crafting event emails, posting on social media, and updating websites.
Additionally, she oversees sponsorships, helps design graphics, and creates sponsor signage to enhance event visibility and engagement.
Cassy Romanowski

NONPROFIT SUPPORT SPECIALIST
Cassy is an independent contractor with a passion for helping nonprofits succeed. With a strong focus on detail and quality, she provides reliable support that helps organizations stay on track and achieve their goals with confidence.
Creativity is at the core of Cassy’s work—whether she’s generating fresh ideas or turning big-picture concepts into real results. She believes innovation and enthusiasm go hand in hand and brings both to every project.
After spending several years as a stay-at-home mom, Cassy honed her ability to multitask, stay organized, and think on her feet. Now, she’s excited to bring those strengths into her professional journey and continue growing as a valuable partner to the teams she works with.

Our Testimonials

"I have worked with Heidi in many circumstances over the past two decades and have collaborated on many projects along side her. I was her supervisor at the Minnesota House of Representatives and in Governor Tim Pawlenty’s Administration. I seek out ways to work with Heidi as she is a joy to work with, very intelligent, a strong leader, and has superior people skills. She is very dedicated to her work and because she is so organized, she is able to accomplish more than most people. She collaborates with others and can help them achieve a common goal."

Thomas J. Hanson
Shareholder at Winthrop & Weinstine
Heidi Holste joined my leadership team as the Executive Director during a period of chaos and instability. I don’t know what we would’ve done without her guidance and support. Heidi led us with integrity, ethics, dedication and optimism, and our organization is stronger and healthier now because of her. Heidi and her team offer expertise that has been earned through decades of hard work, a variety of professional backgrounds and experiences, determination, and grit. It is without hesitation that I recommend Heidi Holste Consulting to other non-profits and membership organizations.

B. Bender, Minneapolis, MN
MN Board President of a Non-Profit
I worked with Heidi for almost 10 years when I was the MN State Ombudsman for Long-Term Care and for several years after that in the health care arena. During my tenure as the State Ombudsman, there were times when we represented opposite sides of legislation. Heidi was wonderful to work with since she knew the issues in depth and she was respectful of anyone who held a different viewpoint. Heidi is excellent at bringing people together because of her leadership skills. She is a skilled and efficient manager and effective at accomplishing concrete goals.

Deb Holtz, J.D. Former State Ombudsman Current End-of-Life Doula.