About

A trusted strategic partner and advisor to executives, board leaders, and fundraising teams.

Ursula Oaks, Principal

Ursula is passionate about helping leaders tackle big challenges, build cultures of belonging, and serve their communities. Through Iris Advisors, she supports nonprofit executives, boards, and fundraising teams with strategic vision and practical experience drawn from leadership roles in cultural institutions, international journalism, and higher education, in the United States, Europe, and the Middle East. Her approach is grounded in listening first, asking the right questions, and supporting leaders in finding clarity and grounding in executing their vision.

Prior to founding Iris, Ursula served as vice president of philanthropy at the International Spy Museum, leading a period of significant growth in charitable revenue, dynamic partnerships, and commitment to an organization-wide culture of philanthropy. Earlier, as part of the founding leadership team at Al-Fanar Media, an independent nonprofit news organization, she mentored staff on three continents and contributed to securing critical early funding, including a multi-year Ford Foundation BUILD grant. At NAFSA: Association of International Educators, her communications work gave voice to an ambitious public policy agenda, establishing the organization as a trusted source for journalists and thought leaders on immigration reform and other issues.  

Ursula earned her MA at the University of Washington’s Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies, where she was a Jackson Fellow. Her undergraduate degree is from the University of Texas at Austin. She serves on the Advisory Council of the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation, an organization dedicated to securing the freedom of American hostages and wrongful detainees. She is a native Hungarian speaker and fluent in French. When she steps away from client work, she's often out discovering somewhere new, behind her camera on Washington, DC’s quirky edges, or experimenting with interior design. 

Creative vision, strategic results.

Iris Advisors helps nonprofit executives, leadership teams, boards of directors, and fundraising professionals leverage their passion and potential to work better, build stronger, and drive organizational success.

Whether for a few weeks or six months or more, we serve as a trusted partner and advisor, sounding board, coach, project manager, or a combination of all of these —meeting organizations where they are with creative solutions and ways forward that are targeted and actionable.

What Clients are Saying

  • I’m a big fan of Ursula and her work. She definitely has the right experience to help solve problems with fundraising and board engagement, but she also takes the time to understand her clients’ unique issues and structures, so she can provide fully informed recommendations to help move organizations forward.

    Craven Rand, Executive Director, Friends of the National Arboretum

  • Ursula is an incredible resource, a strategic thinker in so many different areas: development, board governance and growth, marketing, and communications, to name a few.

    Ellen Shearer, Board Chair, James W Foley Legacy Foundation

  • I’ve worked alongside Ursula on both fundraising strategy and board development. She is a seasoned thought partner who balances high-level strategy with a practical, roll-up-your-sleeves approach—helping leaders address complex issues and achieve strong results with clarity, sensitivity, and resourcefulness.

    Lizette Corro, President & CEO, Corro Nobil Associates

  • Ursula has a keen sensibility for what matters most, rising above the noise to drive conversations that advance the work. And she does this with a grace and style that make the collaboration not only successful, but something to look forward to.

    Kathryn Stephens, CEO, Interim Executive Services

  • Among the many strong advisors I’ve worked with over three decades, including in The Executive Office of the President of the United States (EOP), Ursula stands out as a true strategic thought partner, bringing clarity, discipline, and purpose to the work. I’ve seen firsthand how she partners with senior leaders, boards, and luminaries to sharpen direction, align stakeholders, and drive execution against mission-critical priorities. In everything she does, Ursula is committed to strengthening people and cultures that truly drive results. Her sound judgment, discretion, and ability to translate complexity into clear, actionable plans are invaluable assets in any organization.

    Christopher P. Costa, Executive Director, International Spy Museum

  • Ursula is one of the most well-rounded professionals with whom I've ever engaged. She's a strategic thinker. She's a visionary. She's a highly respected leader in every sense of the word. When Ursula speaks, people listen attentively and take away knowledge that they may not have considered before. I’ve learned a great deal from her - she leads by example, with a sense of humility and empathy combined with a strong commitment to results.

    Dan Cole, Senior Director, AVIXA