Brian Gallagher is a seasoned executive leader with comprehensive accomplishments with a wide array of organizations in the non-profit sector. His leadership experience includes organization development, executive search, fundraising, governance, program management, marketing and communications, and building capacity for Boards of Directors and cross-functional teams to achieve organizational mission and goals.
Brian brings a collaborative, team-centered, and inquiry-based approach to interim executive leadership roles, including as the Interim Executive Director for The Caleb Group (affordable housing) in Lynn, MA; Aquidneck Land Trust in Middletown, RI; and the Garrison Institute in Garrison, NY. From 2014-2022, he served as the Executive Director/CEO of Reach Out and Read, a national organization that promotes literacy through pediatric care. Before leading the organization, he oversaw and grew its network of sites, affiliates, and pediatricians. Brian also held several roles at the Boston Private Industry Council, a workforce development agency.
As Interim Executive Director, Brian focuses on a myriad of issues, including staff development, improving fundraising strategies, board governance, restructuring leadership teams, enhancing strategic communications, instituting new and improved operational systems and processes, and building strong organizational cultures. All engagements as Interim ED have resulted in the organization recruiting, hiring, and successfully onboarding a strong and accomplished successor.
Brian first stepped into the Acting Executive Director role at Reach Out and Read during a period of significant transition and uncertainty, bringing about much needed stability and focus, then establishing a clear vision for the organization. As CEO, Brian attracted top talent and increased staff retention, increased fundraising across all categories, developed new technology systems that increased productivity and efficiency, and aligned the organization around a common purpose. Over the course of his tenure, Reach Out and Read more than doubled the number of children and families served, and the program became viewed as a standard of care for pediatric clinicians across the US.
By focusing on issues of governance, effectively managing and supporting staff, and aligning strategy across the organization, Brian bridges divergent views and finds common ground. Brian consistently demonstrates his ability to develop the capacity of others and support and coach them to successful outcomes, for themselves and the broader organizational mission.
Brian has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Suffolk University and a BA from Hamilton College. He earned a certificate in Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management from Harvard Business School’s Executive Education. He also teaches courses in Nonprofit Management and Organizational Change for Suffolk University’s Certificate in Nonprofit Human Services Management program.
LinkedIn: Brian Gallagher