Dave joined Stonecipher Consulting Group in October 2021 as a Senior Consultant. Before SCG, he spent seven years as Director of Finance and Operations at The Seattle Waldorf School, plus additional roles in nonprofit cancer research, for‑profit biopharmaceuticals, and public accounting—building a diverse toolkit for mission‑driven organizations.


Why Dave Loves Working with Independent Schools & Nonprofits

loves being around students and watching them grow.

, filled with colleagues passionate about helping children.

• Community Collaboration: The Seattle 

independent‑school network is warm and collegial

His daughter thrived in independent schools

; he’s driven to help more students enjoy that same experience.


Dave’s Budgeting Advice for School & Nonprofit Leaders

“When tackling today’s budget challenges, 

always keep the long‑range view in focus.

 Ask: What impact will our decisions have on the school or nonprofit 3–5 years from now?”


leveraging online platforms for day‑to‑day operations

—payroll, accounts payable, tuition management—to free up leaders for strategic work.

Trends Dave Is Watching in School & Nonprofit Finance

the lifeblood of every independent school.

Schools must articulate what makes their educational experience unique

new with brenda's bullets

Some people see finance as just numbers on a page.
Dave Pon sees it as the engine that powers vibrant learning communities.

Meet the Stonecipher Team | Dave Pon

Meet the Stonecipher Team | Brenda Stonecipher

With early roots in public accounting at Arthur Andersen & Co. and 25 years leading nonprofit organizations, Brenda built a career centered on solving complex challenges and strengthening mission-driven institutions. In 2018, she founded Stonecipher Consulting Group, bringing together decades of hands-on experience to help organizations grow with clarity, confidence, and financial resilience.

Corporate & Nonprofit Leadership Experience



• Began career with lots of travel at 

25 years as a nonprofit leader and executive

Founder of Stonecipher Consulting Group (est. 2018)

share decades of nonprofit leadership experience

 with a broader range of organizations
• 

Passionate about helping mission-driven teams

 strengthen operations and financial strategy
• Believes 

financial decisions should be grounded in purpose

Why She Loves Working With Independent Schools & Nonprofits

understands the unique pressures and opportunities

 and helping leaders translate vision into action
• 

—supporting teams as they adapt, plan, and grow



• She’d trade her spreadsheets for 


• Loves cooking, hosting dinner parties, and 

bringing people together through food and conversation

A Common Misconception About Nonprofit Financial Planning

assume nonprofits operate financially “just like businesses

”—but they don’t
• Nonprofits are 

mission-driven, which means strategy starts with purpose, not profit

balancing mission with long-term financial sustainability

Brenda’s Thoughts on What Makes a Great Financial Leader

Blending technical expertise with empathy, collaboration, and strategic thinking

grounded in mission while making data-informed decisions

—because financial resilience requires creativity, flexibility, and a willingness to rethink old assumptions

How She Believes Schools & Nonprofits Can Prepare for Economic Downturns

 across teams to stay resilient when conditions shift

Some leaders find their calling in the corporate world.
Brenda found hers in the nonprofit sector, and now she brings that passion and experience to every organization she supports.

Some people wake up at 5 AM to get ahead in their workday.
Linda War Bonnet 

Assistant Newspaper Buyer, Campaign Manager & Marketing Analyst

 (Met Brenda through the city’s parks board)

Part of Stonecipher Consulting Group, applying her 

 to support the business in meaningful ways.

Spreadsheets? Love them.
Accounting? Not so much.

Some people wake up at 5 AM to get ahead in their workday.
Linda War Bonnet wakes up at 5 AM for a different reason.