Dr. Lydia Hughes-Evans, founder and chief executive officer of Pure Momentum Consulting, is a leader in nonprofit consulting, building sustainable systems for organizations to better serve marginalized communities. The individuals behind these organizations often lack proper systems, processes and structures and Dr. Hughes-Evans steps in to provide these necessary elements. This allows these nonprofits to continue the passion that first got them started.
Founding Pure Momentum
Dr. Hughes-Evans established Pure Momentum Consulting in 2006 and is still the CEO today – before this role, however, she worked at several nonprofits herself. She also served as a clinical support specialist and STAT program administrator for the West Coast Children’s Clinic, was the director of residential services at Advent Group Ministries and was an adjunct professor at Indiana Wesleyan University. She also founded Layla Blooming Coaching in 2021, where she helps women find and maintain healthy relationships.
Dr. Lydia Hughes-Evans
Education and Career
Education is a major part of Dr. Hughes-Evans’s life and career, as she has earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and psychology from Maryville University in St. Louis, Missouri, as well as a Master of Arts in education with a focus on instructional leadership and a Doctor of Education in organizational leadership from Argosy University. She continues to gain certifications in fields as varied as coaching, financial instruction and teaching, all to better equip herself for her roles.
In her work, Dr. Hughes-Evans has seen the internal struggles of nonprofits lacking basic business development practices. Most businesses that lack proper strategy are unsustainable, but Dr. Hughes-Evans’s consulting is designed to resolve these issues. She offers support for leaders, managers, supervisors and staff to be sure that newly implemented processes and procedures are followed; at one point, she even stepped in as an agency’s interim executive director.
Additionally, Dr. Hughes-Evans has worked with organizations serving transition-age youth, homeless populations and reentry individuals, personally giving nonprofits the tools they need to serve these communities and make a difference in the world.
Philanthropy Efforts
Dr. Hughes-Evans always works to give back. Having grown up with limited means, she is grateful to lead a fulfilling life. One of her most recent philanthropic efforts was the successful completion of an inaugural grant cycle for nonprofits, through which she bestowed $5,000 in charitable donations. This will be the first round of this grant, tailored for organizations serving children and families.
The focus on giving to organizations is largely because of a recent shift in philanthropy, which has recognized the importance of funding nonprofits that make a difference.
“Traditionally,” Dr. Hughes-Evans says, “a large portion of the funding provided by foundations or government agencies was expected to directly support programs and services, leaving very little for essential operational expenses like staffing, HR, finance and program development. This model has proven to be limiting and inefficient, hindering organizations’ ability to effectively serve their communities.”
Dr. Hughes-Evans’s consulting firm is positioned to help organizations take advantage of this trend, broadening their systems’ capacity to serve the community around them.
Where Dr. Hughes-Evans Looks Forward
Dr. Hughes-Evans has always been motivated to help create a better life for herself and everyone else. Her successes in consulting have contributed significantly toward giving organizations the practical tools to make a difference while retaining their passion for what they do. Looking forward, she plans to continue to gather valuable certifications, build her business and expand her clientele to create a community of change.
