Bestselling Author

A book that sparks engagement, courage, and connection

Seven proven keys to transform passive boards into powerful partners.

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Seven Keys to Effective Nonprofit Leadership and Governance

Each key helps you strengthen your board’s engagement, clarify expectations, and fuel fundraising success

Build trust and accountability across your board

Clarify roles between board and staff​

Create a culture of generosity and abundance​

Lead productive meetings that inspire action​

Strengthen your CEO–board chair partnership​

Recruit and retain mission-driven board members​

Strengthen your CEO–board chair partnership​

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Leslie Biggins MollsenOwner/President, American City Bureau
Brian Becker’s Igniting the Powder Keg is a must-read for nonprofit leaders and fundraising professionals looking to transform disengaged boards into dynamic forces for impact. As a fundraising consultant, I found Becker’s insights on cultivating a culture of abundance and leveraging board engagement to be both inspiring and immediately applicable.
James BrooksDMin, MDiv. Chief Executive Officer, Lawndale Christian Health Center
Igniting the Powder Keg is a timely, practical guide for nonprofit leaders. As a CEO who knows how vital a strong partnership with the board truly is, I found this book both grounding and energizing. Brian blends real wisdom, honest stories, and actionable tools that help leaders turn potential into real momentum.
John Bouman, J.D.President – Shriver Center on Poverty Law (1996-2020), Executive Director – Legal Action Chicago
Brian Becker mines his extensive experience to offer valuable advice to nonprofit executive directors about how to generate an engaged board in an appealing and understandable way. It maps a path that can improve the experience, effectiveness, and enjoyment of nonprofit leadership and board service. This is a high-priority read for executive directors and board leaders alike.
Matt MillerPresident/CEO, Lutheran Foundation of St. Louis
Through a unique narrative storytelling format, Brian doesn’t just communicate principles of effective board engagement; he casts a vision of the potential that lies untapped in many organizations. As a new CEO, I found simple but profound questions and next steps that I believe will transform how I work with my board and ultimately how we resource churches and nonprofits for greater impact.
Dr. Donald ChristianPresident & CEO, Concordia University Texas, 2014-2024
Brian delivers practical solutions through great storytelling—an invaluable resource for nonprofit leaders at any stage. Drawing on his own real-world experience and the wisdom of top practitioners, he offers insights I wish I’d had early in my presidency
Meggan Hill-McQueeneyPresident & CEO, BraveHearts
Brian helped create a process for our organization’s Strategic Plan. He was able to help us build out a plan to support both our current and future operations. We are grateful for our time spent with Brian, learning and evolving. Brian’s deep sense of faith gave us great security in Brian being exactly the right person to help elevate our organization.
Barbara E. Reid, O.P.President Emerita, Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, IL
This book is a gem, rich with wisdom accumulated over decades of experience. Told in an engaging, conversational style, it is a quick read for busy educators. It will be of great help to both mentors and those seeking guidance in leading an academic institution. In turbulent times, this book helps leaders lean into practices that can both calm the waters and stir up energy where it is needed
Dennis GorskiFounder & Co-Executive Director of Dynamis Ministries
In Igniting the Powder Keg, Brian Becker offers an immensely helpful resource for nonprofit boards and their leaders. His story-driven approach transforms complex concepts into practical, engaging exercises that foster real impact. Having served with Brian as our first board president, I recognize many of these ideas—and wish this book had been available then. I’ll certainly put it to use now

Early Praise for Igniting the Powder Keg

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Who Should Read Igniting the Powder Keg?

This book is designed for:

Nonprofit executive directors and CEOs

Board chairs and trustees

Development and fundraising leaders

Leadership teams planning board retreats or training programs

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Other books by Brian

Tender Lions

Building the vital relationship between Father and Son

Over 20 million children grow up without a father at home, with millions more facing emotional absence. Research links father absence to higher risk in behavior, confidence, and long-term stability.

This book reframes fatherhood as daily presence, not occasional authority. Fathers learn how to build trust, shape character, and create emotional safety. Sons grow with strength, empathy, and steady direction.

Amazon Rating

A raw, unfiltered look at one father-son relationship on the brink of destruction that-against all odds-was not only saved but restored.

But that’s not the end of the story. Every day a war is waged for the hearts and minds of boys, due to the epidemic of fatherlessness. With honest talk about addiction, absentee fathers and ultimately hope for healing…Tender Lions relays vital lessons that are essential to the health and survival of society.

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Ready to Ignite Your Board’s Potential?

Stop settling for ordinary board (B.O.R.E.D.) behavior. Start unleashing extraordinary impact. Order Igniting the Powder Keg today and bring energy, clarity, and accountability to your next board meeting.

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