Are you an Executive Director of a nonprofit agency? Do you have a succession plan? If you’re like many you don’t. Why don’t more nonprofits have succession plans?...
A twelve member search committee spent fourteen months reviewing resumes and interviewing candidates, yet they couldn’t agree on their next president. They were stymied and not likely to solve their leadership problem by themselves. At her wits end the board chair was desperate to complete...
Twenty years after creating what is now a $10 million environmental advocacy group, the founding director has chosen to retire. As the driving force, the director’s energy and foresightedness have been the primary face of this nonprofit organization as it lobbied to protect local public areas and encourage sustainable community programs. Employees and volunteers have come and gone during those years, but the leader steadfastly remained at the forefront.
Organizations, whether for-profit or nonprofit, are frequently faced with this dilemma. How can the organization replace a charismatic founder-entrepreneur and still maintain growth? What type of leader is required for this new phase? When possible, the search should begin at least six months prior to the official date of retirement.
Susan Paley Zak, Vice President Executive Recruiting Recruiting and tapping a new leader for a nonprofit organization is the most critical responsibility a board ever undertakes. It is a given that a strong search committee chair is deemed essential (more on that below), but there is...
