Road to Lead: Recent Episodes
M. Michelle Derosier
Road to Lead is a nonprofit podcast for all things succession planning in the nonprofit and social sectors.
It’s the safe space for candid and vulnerable conversations with diverse changemakers about how they transitioned to formalized leadership roles and with those who partnered with them on the journey including staff, Board, and funders.
To help you and your organization plan for successful leadership transition, join us every other week to learn how to intentionally prepare by making time and financial investment needed. Don't be left scrambling to fill key roles in a panic. Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/m-michelle-derosier/support
In today’s interview, John Hagan, President & CEO of Our Climate Common, calls on nonprofit board members and leadership teams to do two critical mission-building tasks: (1) examine their role in staff burnout; and (2) consider how the “rat wheel” approach to work hinders their organizations from solving the big problems of their mission.
Helpful takeaways from this timely conversation include:
- How much time are you spending on growing revenue vs. solving problems?
- Are you aware of there is a difference?
- Where is “think time” in your organizational structure?
- How are you as leaders cultivating a less stressful work environment so that your staff have time to think about what they’re doing instead of just reacting?
This conversation is a direct challenge to board and leadership to shift their thinking about thinking to better achieve their mission.
Listen now and share your thoughts!
Connect with John
The Upside of Nonprofit Burnout
Our Climate Common Website
About John
John Hagan – President & CEO, Our Climate Common
John Hagan is an ecologist and former President of a nonpartisan, science-driven sustainability nonprofit, and he is current Chair of the Maine Climate Table. He has partnered with many for-profit sectors on sustainability, including large timberland owners, farmers, institutional investors, retailers, fishermen, and many others. He received the Austin Wilkins Award from Maine Governor John Baldacci for his work on the stewardship and conservation of Maine’s forests, and the Integrity in Conservation award from the New England Society of American Foresters. John has served on the board of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, the largest forest certification program in North America.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/m-michelle-derosier/support
Today’s interview with Lourdes G. Zuniga, the award-winning leader and Executive Director of Financial Health Pathways, is a masterclass in authentic leadership.
As an introvert, a woman of color, and an immigrant, Lourdes has had to deconstruct the narrative of leadership as “in-your-face, white male, and non-accent” and reconstruct it to make space for herself in rooms where others don’t feel she belongs.
Helpful takeaways from today’s episode, include:
- Not needing to fill your predecessor’s shoes
- Finding your own path and taking your own journey to success
- Being brave enough to start the succession plan conversation with your board
- Taking inventory of the strengths and weaknesses you bring to your organization
- Letting the organization grow if you no longer add value to it
- Not making the organization “so you” that without you, it doesn’t succeed
- Understanding the strength of your unique voice
- Honing your confidence to enter and speak up in rooms where you’re not welcome
- Educating your funders for the greater good of the entire sector, not just your organization: “If it’s not brought up by us who are in the trenches, who’s going to tell them?”
Listen now and share your thoughts!
Connect with Lourdes
Financial Health Pathways Website
About Lourdes
Lourdes G. Zuniga - Executive Director at the Financial Health Pathways
Lourdes G. Zuñiga is an award winning social impact leader, who recently has been named Presidential Leadership Scholar. A journalist from Lima Peru, Lourdes, from a very young age, has always been involved in philanthropy and social causes, particularly advocating for Hispanics, immigration issues, health and education. Through the work she leads in her non profit she aims to improve our systems and create economic opportunity for all. Lourdes has been recognized as one of the most influential women in Central Texas by the Austin Business Journal and she received the President's Volunteer Service gold medal award, the Founder's award by The Austin Area Urban League and various other accolades. She is also a proud alumna from the LBJ Women Campaign School's inaugural class, where she was selected because of her work as an influential leader and strategist, and the American Express Leadership Academy.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/m-michelle-derosier/support
This delightful interview with Julie Leven, violinist, art activist, social entrepreneur and founder of Shelter Music Boston is a refreshing reminder about beauty in service and leaning into your organization’s strengths—especially when resources are limited.
Helpful takeaways from today’s episode include:
- How to really respect, listen to, and incorporate your constituents’ feedback
- Checking your ego at the door for the sake of your organization’s success
- Is the Board construct still the right fit for today’s nonprofits?
- Separating rigorous expectations from ruthless leadership
- Creative and useful tools for measuring program success
- Why tell potential funders what you do, when you can just show them?
Listen now and share your thoughts!
Connect with Julie
Voice of Hope Artistic Project
Shelter Music Boston Website
Shelter Music Boston YouTube Channel
Shelter Music Boston Instagram
About Julie
As Founder, Executive and Artistic Director of Shelter Music Boston, I oversaw all components of this social service agency which employs professional musicians to deliver regularly scheduled classical music concerts in homeless shelters and other sheltering environments in Greater Boston.
I believe that it is the responsibility of 21st century citizen artists to provide access to the arts to all people, whether or not they have a home. Every concert delivered by Shelter Music Boston transforms individual audience members from desperation to dignity with live classical music.
Currently I consult to organizations working to create social change with high quality artistic and musical programming, including: A Musical Heart in Washington DC, Musik på Trappen (Music on the Stairs) in Copenhagen, Denmark, The Philharmonia Baroque Education Program, in the Bay Area CA, and others.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/m-michelle-derosier/support
Your transition plan is great on paper. You have a clear roadmap to move from one leader to the next. You’re sailing along fine. Then, bam! Here comes a pandemic. While we’re at it, let’s throw in having to care for ailing elderly parents. What happens when you can’t give the thousand percent that you’re used to and you disappoint yourself and your colleagues and your organization?
On today’s episode, Sazara Johnson, Founder of SATECHRO and former Board President of ISPI Hampton Roads, speaks candidly about all these challenges and encourages leaders with her story.
This discussion is raw and includes so many gems:
- The difference between resolution and solution
- Why sometimes as the leader you must clean the toilet for a while. Can you handle that?
- What happens if leadership calls you to focus on yanking out the old roof and plumbing and getting them in working order and not on building the beautiful exterior that everyone praises?
- Are you okay as a leader who doesn’t get the glory?
- The importance of the “shut up and listen” leadership skill
- How to turn a detractor into an advocate by finding out the causal factor of their frustrations
Listen now and share your thoughts!
Connect with Sazara
Email: Sazara@satechro.com
About Sazara
Before you read my work summary that is supposed to shine a light on my work quality, please know that first God the Father, God Jesus Christ, and the Spirit of the Living God must take all of the credit. Without God, I would be nothing. Please always pray that my heart remains humble in Christ Jesus
"SAZARA JOHNSON introduces to us the role of the business entity performance technology practitioner (BEP Tech). What is the purpose of this role? To guide organizational leaders in times of enterprise-level emergencies, turmoil, and crisis using an array of HPT tools. Sazara's article resonated with me. It caused me to recall a client engagement several years ago when I was able to serve my client as a BEP Tech during an event that impacted over a million customers. Even though I didn't know there was a name for what I was doing. Now, I know."
-Peter C. Honebein, PhD (Published in the Performance Improvement journal)
Sazara R. Johnson is a: A) boots-on-the-ground mediator between operational teams & tactical/strategic leaders, B) business/academic educator & advisor to decision makers/ influencers/leaders/entrepreneurs, and C) problem solver.
Experienced in crisis prevention, Sazara conducts workshops that have been attended by employees of:
IBM, Raytheon, USPS, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard, Emory University, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, The City of Daphne (AL), Wegmans Food Markets, The City of Oakland, T-Mobile, Charles County Sheriff's Office, Department of Public Health (Office of Legal Services), Texas State Teacher's Association, and more.
Growing up with parents who are pastors, Sazara learned the message of integrity. As a technology training project manager, author, public speaker, president-elect board of director, and business and employee performance improvement advisor, she advises business professionals on maneuvering games of business politics with their morality, integrity, & health intact.
Sazara is a BEP Tech (business entity performance technologist) with a background in technology implementations, training, public speaking, and media/marketing.
Learn more about a BEP Tech here: www.SaTechRo.com
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/m-michelle-derosier/support
“We spend a lot of time with the people that we think we want to hire,” say Nick Monzi, co-founder and CEO of Learn Fresh, a Philly-based but nation-serving nonprofit focused on the intersection between students, STEM and social emotional development and sports and entertainment.
In today’s episode, Nick shares some profound and practical tips for hiring and retaining great team members who will help shape and execute your organization’s strategic vision.
These takeaways should be in the toolkit of all good leaders!
We discuss:
- Identifying great staff from your organization’s existing supportive community
- Investing time in the hiring process
- Why you shouldn’t hire for skill set first
- How your job description is only 50% of what you need
- Making room for your team to grow into their talents
- Personalized professional development
Take a listen and join in on the conversation.
Bonus: Nick is a world traveler. Think you can guess his dream trip?
Connect with Nick
Learn Fresh Website
Learn Fresh Podcast
Learn Fresh LinkedIn
Learn Fresh Instagram
Learn Fresh (Math Hoops) Instagram
About Nick
Nick Monzi currently serves as CEO and Co-Founder of Learn Fresh, a national education nonprofit dedicated to enhancing student’s STEM and social-emotional achievement through sports and entertainment. Since the organization's founding, he has worked with global corporations, leading urban school districts, and national and regional after-school program providers to develop the Learn Fresh community program model. Since its launch in Cleveland during the fall of 2013, the experience has expanded to include initiatives with 30 professional sports teams and over 500,000 students. He has also driven the invention of four new programs, which have been funded and supported by team and league partners in North America, Africa, and Australia.
Nick earned a bachelor's degree in Entrepreneurship and Marketing Management from Syracuse University, and completed his master's degree at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where he took an active role in growing the presence of education innovation on Harvard's campus. In addition to his entrepreneurial pursuits, he has been an active arts and music educator for the past decade.
For questions about Learn Fresh’s mission and vision, contact Nick via email at nick@learnfresh.org.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/m-michelle-derosier/support
Funding! Nonprofits cannot meet their missions without adequate access to dollars. We all know this. But how can leaders think of funding differently to avoid operating from a deficit mindset.
Today’s episode is a cards-on-the-table everything-goes money discussion with Gabriel Maldonado, Founder and CEO of TruEvolution.
Takeaways include:
- Building relationships with individuals before institutions
- Treating the funder-donor dynamic as a partnership, not “parent-child”
- Saying no to “bad” money
- Understanding your privilege
- Transitioning funder relationships from current ED to incoming ED
Take a listen to a conversation that we need but are not having often enough.
Connect with Gabe
TruEvolution Website
TruEvolution LinkedIn
About Gabe
As the Founder and CEO of TruEvolution, Gabriel Maldonado has led the organization’s efforts for the last eleven years to now include comprehensive HIV prevention and care services, a mental health clinic, and an emergency supportive housing program.
As a former member of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS under President Obama, Gabriel works to elevate the representation of minority community-based organizations in state and federal policy priorities. In addition to his work at TruEvolution, Gabriel continues his advocacy serving on regional boards, such as Borrego Community Health Foundation -- the 5th largest federally-qualified health center in the U.S.-- and global organizations such as the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. Bringing a passion for business and consultancy, Gabriel works to advise industry leaders as an advisory board member for ViiV Healthcare, Janssen Therapeutics and Merck & Co.
Gabriel believes that the needs and priorities of marginalized populations should be heard in every room and at every table impacting those communities. What drives Gabriel’s passion is his experiences in witnessing the devastating impacts of the industrialization of poor urban communities. Raised in the City of Compton, Gabriel watched not only his health but the health of his family and neighborhood be affected by the corrosive effects of refineries, smog, logistics and chemical facilities. Gabriel is firmly-rooted in advancing the quality of life and human dignity of people of color in the LGBTQ+ experience.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/m-michelle-derosier/support
Funding! Nonprofits cannot meet their missions without adequate access to dollars. We all know this. But how can leaders think of funding differently to avoid operating from a deficit mindset.
Today’s episode is a cards-on-the-table everything-goes money discussion with Gabriel Maldonado, Founder and CEO of TruEvolution.
Takeaways include:
- Building relationships with individuals before institutions
- Treating the funder-donor dynamic as a partnership, not “parent-child”
- Saying no to “bad” money
- Understanding your privilege
- Transitioning funder relationships from current ED to incoming ED
Take a listen to a conversation that we need but are not having often enough.
Connect with Gabe
TruEvolution Website
TruEvolution LinkedIn
About Gabe
As the Founder and CEO of TruEvolution, Gabriel Maldonado has led the organization’s efforts for the last eleven years to now include comprehensive HIV prevention and care services, a mental health clinic, and an emergency supportive housing program.
As a former member of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS under President Obama, Gabriel works to elevate the representation of minority community-based organizations in state and federal policy priorities. In addition to his work at TruEvolution, Gabriel continues his advocacy serving on regional boards, such as Borrego Community Health Foundation -- the 5th largest federally-qualified health center in the U.S.-- and global organizations such as the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. Bringing a passion for business and consultancy, Gabriel works to advise industry leaders as an advisory board member for ViiV Healthcare, Janssen Therapeutics and Merck & Co.
Gabriel believes that the needs and priorities of marginalized populations should be heard in every room and at every table impacting those communities. What drives Gabriel’s passion is his experiences in witnessing the devastating impacts of the industrialization of poor urban communities. Raised in the City of Compton, Gabriel watched not only his health but the health of his family and neighborhood be affected by the corrosive effects of refineries, smog, logistics and chemical facilities. Gabriel is firmly-rooted in advancing the quality of life and human dignity of people of color in the LGBTQ+ experience.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/m-michelle-derosier/support
Today’s conversation with Sara Cantor, Founder and Executive Director of Greater Good Studio, is an exercise in leadership vulnerability.
Imposter syndrome is real. Whether you’re coming to formalized leadership through an opportunity that you created or through an opening, it can be difficult to accept that you are the right person for the job.
Learn from Sara’s journey how to:
- Identify the right next step(s) for you
- Pivot if you find yourself on the wrong path
- Build relationships to help you forward
- Assess what you alone bring into the role
- Embrace the continual process of learning and applying
- Accept that it should be you!
Helpful takeaways for your succession planning.
Connect with Sara
GGS’s Website
GGS’s LinkedIn
GGS’s Instagram
About Sara
Sara co-founded Greater Good Studio to apply her background in ethnographic research and design strategy to overlooked problems and underserved people. At Greater Good, she designs effective and inclusive engagements, guides projects and teams, and develops partnerships with clients, peers and mentors. Sara speaks regularly on designing for social impact and has facilitated social innovation workshops around the world with a wide range of learners, from nonprofit executives to high school students. Sara holds a master’s in design planning from the Institute of Design at IIT and a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from Northwestern University. She serves on the board of the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs.
Pissed-off about: The prison-industrial complex
Optimistic about: Unconditional cash transfers
Inspired by: How the Word is Passed by Clint Smith
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/m-michelle-derosier/support
Today’s conversation with Sara Cantor, Founder and Executive Director of Greater Good Studio, is an exercise in leadership vulnerability.
Imposter syndrome is real. Whether you’re coming to formalized leadership through an opportunity that you created or through an opening, it can be difficult to accept that you are the right person for the job.
Learn from Sara’s journey how to:
- Identify the right next step(s) for you
- Pivot if you find yourself on the wrong path
- Build relationships to help you forward
- Assess what you alone bring into the role
- Embrace the continual process of learning and applying
- Accept that it should be you!
Helpful takeaways for your succession planning.
Connect with Sara
GGS’s Website
GGS’s LinkedIn
GGS’s Instagram
About Sara
Sara co-founded Greater Good Studio to apply her background in ethnographic research and design strategy to overlooked problems and underserved people. At Greater Good, she designs effective and inclusive engagements, guides projects and teams, and develops partnerships with clients, peers and mentors. Sara speaks regularly on designing for social impact and has facilitated social innovation workshops around the world with a wide range of learners, from nonprofit executives to high school students. Sara holds a master’s in design planning from the Institute of Design at IIT and a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from Northwestern University. She serves on the board of the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs.
Pissed-off about: The prison-industrial complex Optimistic about: Unconditional cash transfers Inspired by: How the Word is Passed by Clint Smith
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/m-michelle-derosier/support
“What are you doing for the community?”
This simple but loaded question gave birth to Dion’s Chicago Dream, a Chicago-based nonprofit fighting food insecurity.
Dion’s Chicago Dream started with a GoFundMe that raised $2500 in 25 hours ($100 an hour for those doing the math) to feed 100 families at the onset of the COVID pandemic. In thirteen months, they were on pace to be a $300k organization, with 60% coming from individual donors with smaller donations.
The conversation today with Dreamer and Founder Dion Dawson is a masterclass in how to:
- Stay in and maximize your wheelhouse (his being relationship building)
- Build community
- Analyze the donor user experience
- Make the donation process for users simple and easy
- Utilize evergreen content marketing to reach your audience
- Treat individual donors with the same respect as you do foundations
Even though he chose violence and clowned me for not knowing how to play Spades (Black folks, when we gonna heal this rift, lol), you don’t want to miss this episode with this Navy veteran turned nonprofit founder sharing useful takeaways.
Connect with Dion
DCD’s Website
DCD’s LinkedIn
DCD’s Instagram
About Dion
Dion Dawson is a philanthropic leader whose penchant for empathy leadership and communications has positioned him as community leader, moving forward. After more than a decade working in governmental communications, public relations, and journalism, Dion knows what is truly at the heart of philanthropy—transparent operations, consistent programming, and a commitment to quality. His true north is connected to the heart-beating people he’s committed himself to and changing the ideal template of leadership in the sector.
In 2020, Dion founded Dion’s Chicago Dream, a nonprofit with a mission focused on food insecurity and inequality. Dion’s dedication to innovation has resulted in a movement that empowers, empathizes, and emboldens everyone who comes across it. In addition to his extensive leadership journey, Dion is an award-winning military journalist, philanthropic trailblazer, and humble son of Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/m-michelle-derosier/support
“What are you doing for the community?”
This simple but loaded question gave birth to Dion’s Chicago Dream, a Chicago-based nonprofit fighting food insecurity.
Dion’s Chicago Dream started with a GoFundMe that raised $2500 in 25 hours ($100 an hour for those doing the math) to feed 100 families at the onset of the COVID pandemic. In thirteen months, they were on pace to be a $300k organization, with 60% coming from individual donors with smaller donations.
The conversation today with Dreamer and Founder Dion Dawson is a masterclass in how to:
- Stay in and maximize your wheelhouse (his being relationship building)
- Build community
- Analyze the donor user experience
- Make the donation process for users simple and easy
- Utilize evergreen content marketing to reach your audience
- Treat individual donors with the same respect as you do foundations
Even though he chose violence and clowned me for not knowing how to play Spades (Black folks, when we gonna heal this rift, lol), you don’t want to miss this episode with this Navy veteran turned nonprofit founder sharing useful takeaways.
Connect with Dion
DCD’s Website
DCD’s LinkedIn
DCD’s Instagram
About Dion
Dion Dawson is a philanthropic leader whose penchant for empathy leadership and communications has positioned him as community leader, moving forward. After more than a decade working in governmental communications, public relations, and journalism, Dion knows what is truly at the heart of philanthropy—transparent operations, consistent programming, and a commitment to quality. His true north is connected to the heart-beating people he’s committed himself to and changing the ideal template of leadership in the sector.
In 2020, Dion founded Dion’s Chicago Dream, a nonprofit with a mission focused on food insecurity and inequality. Dion’s dedication to innovation has resulted in a movement that empowers, empathizes, and emboldens everyone who comes across it. In addition to his extensive leadership journey, Dion is an award-winning military journalist, philanthropic trailblazer, and humble son of Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/m-michelle-derosier/support
Taking the helm as Executive Director can prove challenging even in the best of circumstances. Imagine the unique challenges in assuming the role after the unexpected death of the founder six months into your time at an organization that's half a million dollars in debt.
Today’s conversation with Kahina Haynes, the ED of The Dance Institute of Washington Dance, is a fascinating look into what it takes to thrive in a crisis.
Listen and learn practical advice on:
- Leaning into your expertise by staying mission focused
- Gaining the confidence needed to advise key leaders including Board and funders
- Shifting the power dynamic between ED and funders
- Championing equity without sacrificing your organization
You are not going to want to miss this episode!
Connect with Kahina
DIW’s Website
DIW’s LinkedIn
DIW’s Instagram
About Kahina
Kahina Haynes is the Executive Director of The Dance Institute of Washington, the leading minority-led dance equity organization in the DMV, supporting students from underserved communities and securing top DC arts foundation funding.
Haynes, a former dancer, alumna of Princeton and Oxford Universities, founder of two independent dance companies, and a veteran of both the World Bank and the United Nations, served as School Director starting in 2013 before taking on the role as Executive Director in 2016. Under Haynes guidance, DIW continues propelling its mission into the future with visionary leadership and enthusiasm. Since DIW’s inception, many students have gone on to professional careers with prestigious dance companies and continued studies at top ballet conservatories and universities.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/m-michelle-derosier/support
Taking the helm as Executive Director can prove challenging even in the best of circumstances. Imagine the unique challenges in assuming the role after the unexpected death of the founder six months into your time at an organization that's half a million dollars in debt.
Today’s conversation with Kahina Haynes, the ED of The Dance Institute of Washington Dance, is a fascinating look into what it takes to thrive in a crisis.
Listen and learn practical advice on:
- Leaning into your expertise by staying mission focused
- Gaining the confidence needed to advise key leaders including Board and funders
- Shifting the power dynamic between ED and funders
- Championing equity without sacrificing your organization
You are not going to want to miss this episode!
Connect with Kahina
DIW’s Website
DIW’s LinkedIn
DIW’s Instagram
About Kahina
Kahina Haynes is the Executive Director of The Dance Institute of Washington, the leading minority-led dance equity organization in the DMV, supporting students from underserved communities and securing top DC arts foundation funding.
Haynes, a former dancer, alumna of Princeton and Oxford Universities, founder of two independent dance companies, and a veteran of both the World Bank and the United Nations, served as School Director starting in 2013 before taking on the role as Executive Director in 2016. Under Haynes guidance, DIW continues propelling its mission into the future with visionary leadership and enthusiasm. Since DIW’s inception, many students have gone on to professional careers with prestigious dance companies and continued studies at top ballet conservatories and universities.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/m-michelle-derosier/support
Successful leadership transition doesn’t just happen. It requires foresight, planning, and time and financial investment.
Today’s episode kicks off a regular conversation series between iCouldBe’s Executive Director, Kate Schrauth and Road to Lead’s host, M. Michelle Derosier. With Michelle set to succeed Kate as iCouldBe’s ED in 2025, theirs is a real-life case study of a succession planning process in progress.
This transparent chat covers:
- Importance of trust in the succession process
- Getting buy-in from your Board
- Making the hard decisions about staff and organizational priorities
- Race and gender in nonprofit leadership
- Nonprofits living their DEI statements
- Legal agreements are crucial
Are you thinking about your own succession future? You won’t want to miss this series!
Resources
This is a link to the draft document that iCouldBe is continually updating for the succession planning process. Eventually, the document will create the basis for the legal succession contract that iCouldBe Board will sign with Michelle.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/phj1sdud22h9qmc/iCouldBe_ED_Succession_Planning_Draft_Example.pdf?dl=0
Nonprofit So White article: https://medium.com/swlh/nonprofit-so-white-960a33c7fcfa
Connect with Kate
iCouldBe’s LinkedIn
iCouldBe’s Twitter
About Kate
Kate studied political science with a focus on social movements at Boston University and for the past 30 years has created, led or grown youth-driven organizations such as Artists for Humanity, Harvard Student Agencies, and Jumpstart.
Today Kate helps iCouldBe live its mission to help thousands of teens reach their true potential and is especially passionate about engaging the many mentors, schools, companies, and supporters who make mentoring possible.
When she’s not leading iCouldBe to new heights, you can find Kate cooking gourmet meals for family, friends, and colleagues, remodeling a room in her home with her talented husband Brian or walking her dogs, Bandit and Finn, on the beach.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/m-michelle-derosier/support
Successful leadership transition doesn’t just happen. It requires foresight, planning, and time and financial investment.
Today’s episode kicks off a regular conversation series between iCouldBe’s Executive Director, Kate Schrauth and Road to Lead’s host, M. Michelle Derosier. With Michelle set to succeed Kate as iCouldBe’s ED in 2025, theirs is a real-life case study of a succession planning process in progress.
This transparent chat covers:
- Importance of trust in the succession process
- Getting buy-in from your Board
- Making the hard decisions about staff and organizational priorities
- Race and gender in nonprofit leadership
- Nonprofits living their DEI statements
- Legal agreements are crucial
Are you thinking about your own succession future? You won’t want to miss this series!
Resources
This is a link to the draft document that iCouldBe is continually updating for the succession planning process. Eventually, the document will create the basis for the legal succession contract that iCouldBe Board will sign with Michelle.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/phj1sdud22h9qmc/iCouldBe_ED_Succession_Planning_Draft_Example.pdf?dl=0
Nonprofit So White article: https://medium.com/swlh/nonprofit-so-white-960a33c7fcfa
Connect with Kate
iCouldBe’s LinkedIn
iCouldBe’s Twitter
About Kate
Kate studied political science with a focus on social movements at Boston University and for the past 30 years has created, led or grown youth-driven organizations such as Artists for Humanity, Harvard Student Agencies, and Jumpstart.
Today Kate helps iCouldBe live its mission to help thousands of teens reach their true potential and is especially passionate about engaging the many mentors, schools, companies, and supporters who make mentoring possible.
When she’s not leading iCouldBe to new heights, you can find Kate cooking gourmet meals for family, friends, and colleagues, remodeling a room in her home with her talented husband Brian or walking her dogs, Bandit and Finn, on the beach.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/m-michelle-derosier/support
Leaders who want their organizations to have the best chance of thriving and not just surviving after they leave must first do the internal work to prepare themselves for the transition.
Today’s guest, Kate Schrauth, provides valuable succession planning insights based on 30 years of creating, leading or growing youth-driven organizations such as Artists for Humanity, Harvard Student Agencies, Jumpstart and iCouldBe.
Kate shares the following thoughts (and more!) to prepare for leadership change:
- Have you done the self-work needed to come to terms with no longer being in charge?
- Is there faith and trust in your partner in this leadership transition so that you’re not subconsciously undermining the process?
- Have you created the space and opportunity for your successor to build/grow their own relationship with key stakeholders?
- Have you put your ego aside so you can encourage them to build those relationships? (See first question)
Listen and learn how Kate has applied these lessons on her journey.
Connect with Kate
iCouldBe’s Website
iCouldBe’s LinkedIn
iCouldBe’s Twitter
About Kate
Kate studied political science with a focus on social movements at Boston University and for the past 30 years has created, led or grown youth-driven organizations such as Artists for Humanity, Harvard Student Agencies, and Jumpstart.
Today Kate helps iCouldBe live its mission to help thousands of teens reach their true potential and is especially passionate about engaging the many mentors, schools, companies, and supporters who make mentoring possible.
When she’s not leading iCouldBe to new heights, you can find Kate cooking gourmet meals for family, friends, and colleagues, remodeling a room in her home with her talented husband Brian or walking her dogs, Bandit and Finn, on the beach.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/m-michelle-derosier/support
Leaders who want their organizations to have the best chance of thriving and not just surviving after they leave must first do the internal work to prepare themselves for the transition.
Today’s guest, Kate Schrauth, provides valuable succession planning insights based on 30 years of creating, leading or growing youth-driven organizations such as Artists for Humanity, Harvard Student Agencies, Jumpstart and iCouldBe.
Kate shares the following thoughts (and more!) to prepare for leadership change:
- Have you done the self-work needed to come to terms with no longer being in charge?
- Is there faith and trust in your partner in this leadership transition so that you’re not subconsciously undermining the process?
- Have you created the space and opportunity for your successor to build/grow their own relationship with key stakeholders?
- Have you put your ego aside so you can encourage them to build those relationships? (See first question)
Listen and learn how Kate has applied these lessons on her journey.
Connect with Kate
iCouldBe’s Website
iCouldBe’s LinkedIn
iCouldBe’s Twitter
About Kate
Kate studied political science with a focus on social movements at Boston University and for the past 30 years has created, led or grown youth-driven organizations such as Artists for Humanity, Harvard Student Agencies, and Jumpstart.
Today Kate helps iCouldBe live its mission to help thousands of teens reach their true potential and is especially passionate about engaging the many mentors, schools, companies, and supporters who make mentoring possible.
When she’s not leading iCouldBe to new heights, you can find Kate cooking gourmet meals for family, friends, and colleagues, remodeling a room in her home with her talented husband Brian or walking her dogs, Bandit and Finn, on the beach.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/m-michelle-derosier/support
“Nonprofits that are serious about their own sustainability will also be serious about planning for smooth and thoughtful transitions of leadership - as well as making sure their nonprofit is prepared for unexpected departures.” --- Council of Nonprofits
Welcome listeners! I'm M. Michelle Derosier, your host of Road to Lead.
Road to Lead is a nonprofit podcast that covers all things succession planning in the nonprofit and social sectors. It’s the safe space for candid, vulnerable, meaningful conversations with diverse changemakers about how they transitioned to formalized leadership roles. To help you prepare for your own Executive Director or CEO journey, join us each week to learn from these industry leaders about their key takeaways from going through the succession process.
Please join us every Wednesday for a new episode.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/m-michelle-derosier/support
“Nonprofits that are serious about their own sustainability will also be serious about planning for smooth and thoughtful transitions of leadership - as well as making sure their nonprofit is prepared for unexpected departures.” --- Council of Nonprofits
Welcome listeners! I'm M. Michelle Derosier, your host of Road to Lead.
Road to Lead is a nonprofit podcast that covers all things succession planning in the nonprofit and social sectors. It’s the safe space for candid, vulnerable, meaningful conversations with diverse changemakers about how they transitioned to formalized leadership roles. To help you prepare for your own Executive Director or CEO journey, join us each week to learn from these industry leaders about their key takeaways from going through the succession process.
Please join us every Wednesday for a new episode.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/m-michelle-derosier/support