DEL SUR Strategies

When I stepped down from my role of Executive Director after 11 years, I went of a quest to define what I enjoyed doing the most, what was I reaaaally good at... found out I thrive in moments of crisis. When everything feels urgent, uncertain, and overwhelming, I bring understanding, solutions, and a path forward. I have gift to step in during the most critical moments to provide an objective perspective, sound judgment, and steady guidance. I can solve whatever is it that is keeping you up at night!My work is grounded in ethical leadership and deep respect for the people and mission that hold an organization together, principles I have lived, tested, and led through in practice.Through Del Sur Strategies, I work with nonprofit organizations, foundations, and mission-driven companies needing to identify root causes, strengthen systems, and implement practical solutions, moving from uncertainty to clarity.My focus is on interim and fractional leadership, organizational assessments and hands-on implementation. I support leaders in building the structures, processes, and culture needed for long-term sustainability and lasting impact.

ABOUT

I am the founder and former Executive Director of an innovative, high-impact organization that grew from a grassroots effort into a nationally recognized model in its field. For more than a decade, I learned firsthand what it takes to responsibly scale an organization—growing to nearly $3 million in revenue while building an equitable, high-trust culture with 50 team members representing 22 countries and 19 languages.My experience leading through growth, uncertainty, and complex organizational challenges has earned the trust of boards, government officials, academic institutions, and community leaders. I have guided teams through moments of significant change, strengthened systems, and made difficult decisions under high-stakes conditions.With a global perspective shaped by lived experience and executive leadership, I partner with leaders to strengthen organizational systems, build sustainable infrastructure, and ensure that the people at the center of the mission remain at the heart of the work.

Why Del Sur?

Del Sur translates to “from the south" and it honors the knowledge, grit, and collective strength of the Global South, people and places too often framed only as recipients of help rather than as sources of insight, strategy, and innovation.

Why Dandelions?

Dandelions are amazing. Even in the harshest conditions, they remind us that survival can lead to growth, and that our impact can extend far beyond ourselves and where we are rooted.

Stronger Systems. Healthier Culture. Lasting Impact.

After more than a decade as a founder and Executive Director, I understand what it takes to build and sustain a mission-driven organization. I have experienced the challenges of creating strong systems, navigating growth, managing uncertainty, and making the difficult decisions required to keep an organization healthy and impactful. Today, I partner with nonprofit leaders and boards through interim executive leadership, fractional operations, and comprehensive organizational assessments—helping organizations strengthen operations, navigate transitions, and build the systems needed for long-term success.

Interim Executive Leadership

Providing experienced leadership when your organization needs stability the most

Leadership transitions are among the most vulnerable moments in an organization's life. Whether an Executive Director has departed unexpectedly, retired, or the board wants time to conduct a thoughtful search, an Interim Executive provides more than continuity—we create the conditions for long-term success.As an Armstrong McGuire Certified Interim Executive, I step into organizations with fresh, objective eyes and a deep respect for the people already doing the work. My first priority is listening. By meeting with staff, board members, and key stakeholders, I focus on identifying operational risks, cultural dynamics, and systemic challenges that may be limiting the organization's effectiveness. An interim leader should not simply "keep the lights on." The goal is to leave the organization stronger than it was found.During an interim engagement, I work to:
-Stabilize day-to-day operations
-Strengthen financial and internal controls
-Improve governance and compliance
-Clarify roles, responsibilities, and organizational structure
-Build or update policies, procedures, and documentation
-Address operational inefficiencies and unnecessary risks
-Support staff through periods of change with transparency and clear expectations
-Prepare the organization for a successful permanent Executive DirectorWhen the next leader arrives, they should inherit an organization with solid systems, clear expectations, healthy operations, and the ability to focus on vision and growth—not untangling the challenges of the past.Interim engagements typically last between 6-12 months and I work in partnership with Armstrong McGuire for these. Send me a message to get started!

Organizational Assessment & Systems Implementation

Understanding what is happening beneath the surface—and building the systems your organization needs to thrive.

Many organizations or boards know something isn't working, but struggle to identify exactly where the gaps exist. My Organizational Assessment is designed to provide an honest, comprehensive evaluation of operational health and a practical roadmap for improvement.Most engagements are completed within 3 to 6 months, leaving organizations with stronger systems, greater transparency and accountability, and a solid operational foundation for future growth.

Phase 1: AssessmentI spend time intentionally learning how your organization actually functions, starting with meeting 1-1 with everyone on the team. This is the most critical step and, in addition to a comprehensive documentation and information review, allows me to fully understand:-Staff and leadership relationships
-Organizational culture and communication
-Programs and alignment to mission
-Financial management and reporting
-Internal controls
-Compliance and regulatory requirements
-Equitable HR practices
-Organizational structure and reporting protocols
-Operational workflows and efficiency
-Risk management and liabilities
-Equity, transparency, and accountability practices
-Policies, procedures, and documentation

Phase 2: RecommendationsYou'll receive a detailed assessment outlining:
-Areas of strength
-Immediate risks
-Operational gaps
-Priority and near-term recommendations
-A practical implementation roadmap with realistic timelines

Phase 3: ImplementationRecommendations only create value when they are put into practice. Unlike traditional consulting engagements that end with a report, I stay alongside your team through implementation—helping design, build, and refine the new systems, policies, and processes.
My work is focused on making change sustainable I remain engaged until staff are trained, confident, and fully onboard with the approved systems, ensuring that improvements are not just documented, but integrated into the organization's daily operations.Let's talk!

Fractional Chief Operating Officer (COO)

EXPERIENCED OPERATIONAL LEADERSHIP WITHOUT THE COST OF A FULL-TIME EXECUTIVE

Through my experience leading nonprofits, I know that not every organization needs—or is ready for—a full-time Chief Operating Officer. However, every organization needs strong operational foundations, effective systems, and someone ensuring that the infrastructure supporting the mission is healthy and sustainable. As a Fractional COO I can provide senior-level operational expertise on a flexible basis, allowing organizations to strengthen their infrastructure while remaining financially responsible.I work with a limited number of organizations each month, partnering closely with Executive Directors and leadership teams to provide strategic operational support in areas such as:

-Organizational operations
-Systems development
-Financial processes and internal controls
-Policies and procedures
-Board reporting
-Compliance
-Strategic planning implementation
-Support through organizational growth and scaling
-Change and crisis management
-Special operational projects

Fractional engagements typically include up to 40 hours per month, providing consistent executive-level support tailored to your organization's evolving needs. Send me a message and let's see if we are a good match!

CONTACT

Stay in touch

© Del Sur Strategies, LLC. All rights reserved.

awards & media coverage

Over more than 15 years of executive and community leadership, I have been honored with numerous awards and recognitions for driving organizational and systems-level change. The articles and features linked here reflect a reputation built on ethical leadership, transparency, and measurable results in complex, high-stakes environments.

In March 2026, I had the great honor to have been named the first Latina recognized with the Charlotte Woman of the Year Award. I am so proud and thankful to every Latina who came before me and I promise to be there for those coming next. Click on the photo to learn more!

****

SIl's Bio

Originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, Sil moved to Charlotte in 2003 and experienced herself what life is like for a young adult alone in a new country. She began her community work in 2010 as an Administrative Assistant for a for-profit afterschool program, where she witnessed the unfair treatment of newly arrived children and the gaps in equitable access and services for their families, this is why, four years later, she founded ourBRIDGE for KIDS, a Charlotte-based organization supporting immigrant and refugee children and families. She led as Executive Director for 11 years, launching initiatives that supported thousands of families while fostering education, acculturation, and cultural pride. She pioneered nonprofit leadership practices that centered dignity, ethical storytelling, and equity, transforming how communities are recognized and valued for who they are, not just what they contribute. Her leadership also emphasized community-centered fundraising and developing diverse, high-performing teams of 50 staff from 22 countries.Sil also envisioned and led the creation of the Charlotte Is Home Center, North and South Carolina’s first one-stop hub for newcomers. The Center integrates legal, health, and social services under one roof to provide coordinated, wraparound support in families' first language.Through Del Sur Strategies, Sil now applies her expertise to help organizations strengthen infrastructure during growth, guide executive leadership through change, and embed equity and sustainable impact across programs.Sil is widely recognized as an advocate and thought leader in diversity, justice, and immigrant rights. She was Congresswoman Alma Adams’ guest to President Trump's first State of the Union Address in 2017, in representation of the immigrant community in North Carolina, one of the biggest honors of her life. She was named Charlottean of the Year in 2018, received the Global Leader Award from the City of Charlotte, and in 2020 became the first Latina -and only the second woman ever- to receive the prestigious Dr. Nish Jamgotch Jr. Humanitarian Award, and the first Latina in 76 years to receive the Charlotte Woman of the Year Award, among many other distinctions.