What do nonprofits NOT get about Succession Planning?
Glennda Testone and I each made a list. Because…
The average tenure of a nonprofit executive director is five years. That means that your organization has just navigated one, or there’s one just around the bend.
“Succession” means who comes next.
So you have a board chair, who comes next?
You have a treasurer, who comes next?
You have an executive director, who comes next?
Having the conversation doesn’t mean it’s happening. It just means you’re having a conversation to figure out a potential plan when it does happen. One year, two years, three, four, five down the road.
Eventually, it is going to happen.
How ready is your organization for leadership change?
Glennda and I have both made successful transitions. In this episode, we share our lessons and wisdom with you so you can benefit from our mistakes and learnings.
As Glennda says:
“You know what they say about your wedding? You spend months and months…planning it, and then it’s over. And in some ways, it felt like transitioning.”
Tune it to find out what that means.
KEY QUOTES:
“The moment you say, ‘I’m leaving,’ the board becomes the driver. Are they ready?” — Glennda Testone
“If your best friend were taking your job, would you leave them a mess?” — Joan Garry
“You want donors to love the organization—not just the person asking for money.” — Glennda Testone
TUNE IN TO LEARN:
- Glennda had an unexpected insight when she was leaving her role as an ED after 14 years. Find out who she hired to help her navigate the transition and why.
- How power shifts from ED to the board the moment a transition begins.
- How to set your successor — and your staff — up for success.
ABOUT GLENNDA TESTONE:
Glennda Testone is a nonprofit leadership expert who spent 14 years as the Executive Director of New York City’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center. Over the course of her tenure at The Center, she tripled the organization’s budget, strengthened its programs, and completed a $9M capital building renovation to transform the LGBTQ community’s home on West 13 Street. Additionally, she partnered with Google to launch the virtual reality experience of Stonewall Forever, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Stonewall, and helped lead a racial equity transformation of the organization.
Testone previously served as Vice President at The Women’s Media Center and Senior Director of Media Programs for the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD).
RESOURCES:
- Glennda Testone LinkedIn
- Glennda Testone Instagram
- Glennda Testone Facebook
- Nonprofit Leadership Lab
- Joan Garry’s Guide to Nonprofit Leadership – 2nd Edition by Joan Garry
- FREE WORKSHOP: Let’s Build the Nonprofit Board of Your Dreams!
- FREE WORKSHOP: The 5 Practices of Outstanding Nonprofit Leaders
- Music by Jukebox the Ghost
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Sponsored By DonorPerfect
DonorPerfect provides nonprofits with powerful fundraising tools to drive success. Built on a foundation of integrity and innovation, the company prioritizes its clients over investors, cultivating a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and a commitment to making a difference. Check out their resource(s) below.