Leading with Purpose: Shalom Lamm’s Guide to Building a High-Impact Board of Directors

Behind every successful nonprofit is a visionary mission—and behind that mission is a high-impact board of directors. While many founders focus on fundraising or programming in the early stages of their organization, one of the most strategic moves any nonprofit leader can make is to build a board that not only believes in the mission but actively drives it forward.

Entrepreneur and nonprofit founder Shalom Lamm knows this better than most. As the driving force behind Operation Benjamin, a nonprofit dedicated to correcting the headstones of Jewish-American soldiers buried under incorrect religious markers, Lamm understands the importance of building a board with more than just titles or connections—it’s about building a team of deeply committed leaders who show up, speak out, and support the work at every level.

In this post, we explore what makes a board truly effective, and how leaders like Shalom Lamm are creating boards that transform vision into measurable, lasting impact.

Why the Right Board Matters

Your board of directors is not just a legal formality—it’s the strategic backbone of your nonprofit. A strong board offers governance, guidance, accountability, and, ideally, access to financial and community resources. But more importantly, a high-impact board is aligned with your mission, values, and long-term vision.

According to Shalom Lamm, “A board isn’t about prestige—it’s about passion and performance. At Operation Benjamin, our board members are personally invested in every case, every family, every historical correction. That commitment is what gives our mission its power.”

1. Start with Mission Alignment

Before you consider professional networks or financial contributions, focus first on values. Every board member should understand, respect, and advocate for your mission.

At Operation Benjamin, the board is composed of military historians, Jewish community leaders, and individuals with personal ties to the families they serve. “We chose people who don’t just admire the mission—they feel it,” Lamm says. “They understand the gravity of what we’re doing.”

When recruiting your own board, look for people who are not only skilled but also emotionally connected to your cause.

2. Diversify Strengths and Perspectives

A well-rounded board brings a mix of skills, experiences, and viewpoints. Legal knowledge, financial oversight, communications, fundraising, policy, and community representation are just a few of the key roles you want to fill.

Shalom Lamm believes that diverse boards are smarter boards. “We wanted people who could challenge our assumptions, offer new ideas, and see things we might miss. The more angles we have on a problem, the better our solution will be.”

Diversity—of age, gender, race, profession, and geography—ensures that your board reflects the world you serve.

3. Set Clear Expectations

High-impact boards thrive on clarity. From day one, each member should know their responsibilities, time commitments, and financial expectations. This avoids future confusion and ensures everyone contributes meaningfully.

Lamm advises transparency in all areas. “We’re very upfront about what we need: attendance at meetings, strategic input, support with outreach. The more you define expectations early, the more effective your board becomes.”

Create a board handbook, conduct annual evaluations, and keep communication open between meetings.

4. Engage Passionately, Not Just Passively

Too often, boards meet quarterly, approve minutes, and disengage until the next cycle. But high-impact boards are actively involved in shaping strategy, solving problems, and telling the organization’s story.

At Operation Benjamin, board members help identify historical cases, connect with military contacts, and even attend cemetery rededications. “They don’t just advise,” Lamm notes. “They act. They show up. They care.”

Encourage your board members to serve as ambassadors for your mission—on social media, at public events, and within their own networks.

5. Recruit for Culture as Much as Competence

Finally, remember that chemistry matters. A boardroom should be a place of respect, collaboration, and shared purpose. Avoid ego-driven members who dominate or disengage.

Lamm describes his board as a “community of guardians,” people who are deeply invested in protecting both history and integrity. “We trust each other,” he says. “And that trust fuels everything else.”

Conclusion: Build with Intent, Lead with Integrity

Building a high-impact board of directors is not a one-time task—it’s a continuous process of refinement, recruitment, and relationship-building. The right board can elevate your mission, provide critical support, and push your organization to achieve more than you thought possible.

Shalom Lamm’s success with Operation Benjamin reminds us that when you combine passion with precision—and surround yourself with others who share your commitment—you can create not just an effective organization, but a legacy of impact.

So ask yourself: Does your board simply exist—or does it lead with purpose?

If you’re ready to make a deeper impact, start at the top—build the board your mission deserves.