David M. Wagner

Founder and Principal Strategist
Photo of David Wagner, founder and principal, Clear Mission Consulting, LLC

Strategic planning shouldn’t be about just checking a box.

But for too many nonprofits, it is.

I get it. More than we’d like to admit, strategic planning is a time-consuming, obligatory, expensive endeavor to create a document that few read and even fewer use to guide their decisions and actions. And there's already so little time or capacity for focusing beyond what the mission demands today.

I didn’t want to see impassioned leaders struggle any more to do the most good for their mission. So after spending over 13 years developing actionable strategies to tackle government agencies’ most complex problems, I decided to bring those approaches to the nonprofit sector.

The result: a smarter way to do strategic planning. A way that can actually move the needle for your mission.

I've harnessed the experiences of dozens of clients, and my own 10+ years as a mission-driven leader, to create a unique approach to strategic planning and professional development that integrates facilitated planning with coaching for your leadership team. My solution addresses all the pitfalls that cause most "strategies" to fail: unclear vision, lack of an action plan, and leaders who are too busy fighting today’s fires to create the conditions for tomorrow’s successes.

Here's how it works: schedule a free consultation with me, we'll develop a real strategy that matters, complete with a clear vision, an aligned action plan, and support for your leadership team. You'll have all the tools you need to set your organization or program up for success - and see lasting results for your mission.

Don't waste another minute on ineffective strategic planning. Hop on my calendar or message me on LinkedIn today so you can stop worrying if your team is heading in the right direction and start amplifying your mission impact.

Professional Highlights

Work Experience

Clear Mission Consulting, LLC. Founder and Principal. 2021-present

  • Consults on strategic planning and professional development for nonprofit organizations, especially in human services, healthcare, and education.

The MITRE Corporation. Multiple positions. 2007-2021

  • Advised government agencies on strategic approaches to streamline dynamic operations, deliver novel nation-wide programs, and acquire complex systems.

  • Led teams ranging from a few to dozens of people to accomplish extraordinary results. Spearheaded initiatives to improve communications, increase staff trust, and foster multi-directional feedback in a rapidly growing organization.

Brookings LEGIS Congressional Fellowship. Cyber policy fellow. 2018

  • Advanced Congress member’s policy agenda through policy development, communications, caucus events, and stakeholder engagement.

Education

Masters of Systems Engineering, Johns Hopkins University

Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering (Departmental Distinction) and Computer Science, Duke University.

Looking for examples of my work?

Check out my most recent 2-minute reads with practical tips on leadership, or browse my longer papers on strategic leadership.

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