Today we’d like to introduce you to Simone The Mastermind
Hi Simone, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started my career in business and marketing, building a strong foundation in strategy and leadership. Over the last fifteen years, I held various roles that sharpened my skills, but my heart always gravitated toward the nonprofit sector. I’ve always been drawn to initiatives that create meaningful change, and I knew my expertise could empower others to amplify their impact. I just could never narrow down how I wanted to be a part of the nonprofit community.
My journey took a turn when I stepped back from the business world for a season of personal growth. Very unplanned, but hey—these things happen. It was truly an utterly broken season for me, both physically and mentally. However little did I know that God (you will also hear me refer to Him as “Big G”) was working behind the scenes. During that time, I got saved, and my faith became the cornerstone of everything I do. Often we get so caught up in what we are going through that we do not consider how our experiences are simply to help others through it.
In that season, it was a humbling experience that gave me so much clarity—not just about the work I’m called to do, but about the people I’m meant to serve. God put it on my heart to focus on stewardship—pouring into the biblically oppressed and equipping nonprofit leaders to do the same in their own communities. When I re-entered the professional world, I embraced my calling fully. I transitioned from general business and marketing strategy to specializing in nonprofit fundraising, launching HerFundHQ under Santana Silo Management Group, where I provide a traveling workshop series that helps support and educate nonprofit leaders with diversifying their revenue to have the resources needed to fuel their missions. HerFundHQ is the culmination of my experience, my faith, and my passion for equipping women-led nonprofits with the tools and strategies they need to thrive, while acquiring the resources to serve my own calling.
Through this latest workshop series, HerFundHQ, I’ve combined my love for strategic planning with my commitment to empowering women to steward resources effectively. It’s not just about raising money; it’s about helping leaders create sustainable change that glorifies God and serves their communities.
My journey is still unfolding, but one thing has remained constant—I’m here to encourage boldness, faith, and action in every woman who feels called to shake the table and make a difference.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road and far from it. There have been struggles, setbacks, and moments where I had to wrestle with my own self-doubt. Even though I’ve built up years of experience and know what I bring to the table, there were still times when I caught myself wondering, “Am I really ready for this?” It’s humbling, but I’ve learned to remind myself of what God says about me and move forward, even when there were times that I felt as if I couldn’t. Transitions have been another big challenge. When I took a step back from the business world, it felt like I was losing momentum. Coming back into it wasn’t easy. I had to rebuild, not just my confidence, but my entire approach. I had to remind myself that my calling didn’t disappear just because I hit pause for a season. It was still there, waiting for me to lean into it with faith and consistency.
The hardest part has been pushing through the noise—the self-doubt, the fear of failure, and the temptation to quit when it seemed as if life’s calamities were not letting up. But here’s what I’ve learned: the road doesn’t have to be smooth for you to keep walking it. God doesn’t call us to perfection; He calls us to show up, do the work, and trust Him with the outcome. Some days, that means taking big strides. Other days, it means putting one foot in front of the other. But either way, you get up, and you keep going.
As you know, we’re big fans of HerFundHQ. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
HerFundHQ is all about equipping women-led nonprofits with the tools and strategies they need to succeed in fueling their organization’s missions. I started this brand because I saw a real gap in resources that speak to the specific challenges women face in nonprofit leadership. It’s not just about acquiring money; it’s about building a strong, sustainable foundation for growth and lasting impact. At HerFundHQ, we specialize in giving nonprofit leaders practical, actionable strategies to build strategy campaigns that work. The focus is on teaching you how to craft a plan that you can actually implement, not just theory that sits on a shelf. I believe in giving you the knowledge you need to execute step-by-step so you can start seeing results without feeling overwhelmed.
What sets us apart is that we’re not about just offering a quick fix. Secondly, I don’t care to make anyone merely “feel good” with the fluffy motivational quotes. No. Women in leadership had years of the meaningless empowerment feels. I’ve always brought strategy, so HerFundHQ is no different. The HerFundHQ workshop series is a workshop with hands-on experience where you walk away with a real fundraising plan. This isn’t just a lecture, so bring your laptops and I’ll bring your binders. It’s an interactive space where you’ll get everything you need to create a strategy that fits your nonprofit’s needs and goals. Plus, you’ll be connecting with other women who are walking the same path, sharing ideas, and building a network of support.
What I’m most proud of is the community we’re building. HerFundHQ isn’t just about the strategies we teach—it’s about creating a movement of women who are determined to make a real impact. It’s for those who’ve been told “no” too many times and kept going, for the women who have faced their own struggles and are ready to rise above them. Most importantly, it is for those who God has called to serve. Right now, I’m focused on offering educational resources like the nationwide travel workshops, 1:1 strategy sessions, and my upcoming eBook. I’m not taking on retainer clients at the moment, but my goal is to equip everyone with the tools they need to take action. If you’re a woman-led nonprofit ready to step up and make a difference, HerFundHQ is here to help you get there with the right strategies, support, and accountability.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was quite nosy. Pretty shy, but if I was comfortable enough, I was quite nosy.
*laughs*
I was always the kind of person who liked to figure things out on my own, whether it was a puzzle, a project, or a problem I was trying to solve. I was deeply curious about everything, always asking questions and wanting to understand the “why” behind things. I wasn’t necessarily the loudest person in the room, but I always had a strong sense of what I liked and what I didn’t. I’ve always been a bit of a go-getter, even from a young age. I had a strong sense of responsibility, even if I didn’t fully understand how to manage it. I was the type to take on projects or extracurriculars and dive into them as the leader, even if it meant mapping everything out by myself. There was something about learning and pushing myself that felt like second nature. I also know that a lot of that was a response to being the oldest sibling.
Interests-wise, I was all over the place. I loved reading, exploring new ideas, and learning about different cultures. I also liked sports and loved cars. It seems that anything that had to do with strategy, problem-solving, or understanding how things worked. I loved finding out how things fit together and how I could be part of making them work better. Even the things that I did not break. As a young one, I have always had an interest in making things better. Personality-wise, I was a little more reserved but also very passionate about the things I cared about. I’ve always had a heart for helping others, even when I was young, though I didn’t always have the language to articulate it. If there was a cause or a mission I believed in, I was all in. But I also had my quiet side, where I’d spend hours reflecting or working on something solo, just figuring out how to make things happen.
So, while I was introverted in some ways, I was always determined and curious—traits that still stick with me today.
Pricing:
- HerFundHQ: Fundraising Blueprint Workshop $495-$895
- 90-Minute PMB Strategy Sessions $149
- The $25K Fundraising Formula eBook $29
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/herfundhq-fundraising-blueprint-workshop-tickets-1134556411769
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/herfundhq
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yellabizbae
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/@HerFundHQ
- Other: https://herfundhq.eventbrite.com
