Chris Lambert

Chris Lambert is the award-winning author of "Next Level Nonprofit" and the founder and CEO of Next Level Nonprofit, an organization dedicated to helping nonprofit leaders build healthy, high-functioning organizations that scale impact without burnout. A nationally recognized nonprofit leadership speaker, he is known for blending compelling storytelling with practical, real-world frameworks that help leaders navigate complexity, growth and organizational change with clarity and confidence.

Lambert’s path to nonprofit leadership was shaped by both academic training and hands-on experience. After studying marketing at Indiana University, a transformative season abroad redirected his career toward mission-driven leadership. He earned a master of divinity and a doctorate in preaching from Fuller Theological Seminary and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Early in his career, Lambert and his wife lived in a small village in Liberia, West Africa, partnering with the local community to develop clean water access, education and sustainable resources. Upon returning to the U.S., he co-founded a church and later launched Life Remodeled, a nationally recognized nonprofit that repurposes vacant school buildings in Detroit into hubs of opportunity for community revitalization.

Lambert has delivered more than 500 talks to nonprofit leaders, associations, universities, foundations and corporate audiences nationwide. A two-time TEDx speaker, his work has been recognized with honors including NABR’s Best & Brightest CEOs in the Nation, SMART Business Dealmaker of the Year and Building Design + Construction’s 40 Under 40. He speaks to equip nonprofit leaders with the systems, clarity and tools they need to lead sustainably and maximize long-term impact.