Innovate Pasadena has long been a connector, bringing together entrepreneurs, creatives, technologists, and community builders to make the Pasadena region a hub for innovation and economic opportunity. But like many nonprofits emerging from the disruptions of the pandemic era, the organization found itself at an inflection point: a newer board, evolving responsibilities, and the urgent need to make sure its governance infrastructure was built to last.
The pandemic had reshuffled everything. Boards that once operated on institutional memory and long standing relationships were now navigating unfamiliar terrain. Roles that had always been assumed were suddenly in question. Policies written for a different era needed to be rethought. And underneath it all was a pressing question: was Innovate Pasadena’s foundation strong enough to support the ambitious future its community deserved?
That’s when they turned to Jericho Road Pasadena.
JRP matched the organization with Mitch Dorger, a seasoned nonprofit governance expert with deep experience guiding boards through exactly these kinds of pivotal moments. Working closely with Board President Rob McClinton and board members Claire Ralph and Teresa Garcia, Dorger dove in immediately. He conducted a thorough bylaw review, assessed the organization’s strategic plan, identified critical knowledge gaps among board members, and developed a training curriculum designed to close them.
Nothing was theoretical. Dorger helped the team establish biweekly executive check-ins and monthly full board meetings, brought structure and accountability to a process that could easily have stalled, and formed focused task forces to draft new policies where the organization needed them most. The work was disciplined, practical, and relentless in its focus on results.
By the end of the engagement, Innovate Pasadena had revised bylaws that reflected current best practices, a board that truly understood its roles and responsibilities, and a governance foundation strong enough to support real growth.
Rob McClinton didn’t mince words about what the experience meant. “Mitch was fantastic and very knowledgeable. He helped us immensely,” Rob said. “His process was very thorough, and the knowledge he shared was insightful in helping us revise our bylaws and understand our roles as board members.” He also enjoyed the process in working with Jericho Road, stating: “There was tremendous value in what we learned as a board. We appreciate our relationship with Jericho Road and recommend the organization very highly.”
For Dorger, the impact ran deeper than any single deliverable. “Jericho Road is a vital contributor to the Pasadena quality of life,” he said. “By strengthening local nonprofits, they strengthen the whole community.”
Innovate Pasadena is now ready for what comes next. With a board that knows its purpose, bylaws that reflect who they are today, and governance tools built for the future, the organization is positioned to do what it has always done best: connect, inspire, and move the region forward.
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Thanks to volunteer Wes Robinson for writing JRP Project Highlight posts!