07/08/2026
"Americans of all ages, all stations in life, and all types of disposition are forever forming associations."
— Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America (1835)
As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, that spirit of entrepreneurship, innovation, and community-building remains as strong as ever.
One example is PlanPerfect , an innovative platform created to help nonprofit organizations build, manage, and execute strategic plans more effectively. Founded by nonprofit leadership expert and educator Sophia Shaw and her co-founder, Adam Wolford, PlanPerfect was born from decades of firsthand experience working with nonprofit organizations and understanding the challenges they face.
After more than 30 years leading nonprofits, advising organizations, serving on boards, and teaching strategy and leadership at Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management, Sophia recognized a significant gap in the marketplace. While nonprofit leaders are expected to develop strategic plans, measure outcomes, and demonstrate accountability to boards, funders, and stakeholders, many lack access to affordable tools designed specifically for their needs. Most planning and management software is built for the corporate world rather than mission-driven organizations.
Driven by the belief that nonprofits deserve the same level of planning discipline, structure, and support available to larger organizations and sophisticated consulting clients, Sophia and Adam set out to create a solution tailored specifically for nonprofit leaders.
Launching a technology company was an unexpected chapter in Sophia’s entrepreneurial journey. Without a technology background, she embraced the challenge of learning a new industry, identifying the right partners, and translating decades of nonprofit expertise into a practical technology platform.
Golan Christie Taglia was proud to assist PlanPerfect in its early stages, helping establish the legal foundation necessary to support the company's growth. Today, PlanPerfect serves nonprofit and social-sector organizations internationally, helping leaders strengthen their organizations and better serve their communities.
As Tocqueville observed nearly two centuries ago, Americans continue to come together to solve problems, build institutions, and create meaningful change. We are honored to have played a role in supporting PlanPerfect’s journey and look forward to its continued success in empowering nonprofit leaders around the world.
