As CEO of the Junior State of America Foundation (an 85-year-old, $6 million nonprofit that supports teen civic leadership), he navigated through significant turbulence to help JSA develop a theory of change, realign its strategy (and organization), overhaul its governance, de-gender JSA’s name and policies, develop new programs (including young women’s leadership), create impact measures, generate the largest donation in the group’s history, build alliances, enhance stakeholder engagement, and resolve legal issues…all while dramatically improving JSA’s financial health.
Ken served as Associate Director at Post Carbon Institute (a leading-edge think tank on energy, environment, economy, and equity). There, he backed efforts to develop a compelling strategy and distinct program offerings (such as www.resilience.org), clarify audiences and outcomes, engage with a more diverse community of allies, expand development significantly, and develop high-quality products like an award-winning video with more than 1.7 million views.
As the Coordinating (Interim) Director of the Chaordic Commons, Inc. (a group created by Dee Hock, the founder of VISA, to develop new forms of organizations), Ken helped clarify the value proposition, implement a strategic inquiry, streamline options for board consideration, and facilitate the evolution from a consulting group to a member-serving organization.
As Executive Director of Common Cause Massachusetts (a grassroots group working for representative, inclusive government), Ken co-led a broad coalition that passed a Clean Elections Law via ballot initiative, and then mounted an equally effective legislative and legal strategy to uphold and implement that law. He also built a broad-based, successful coalition for legislative reform, and backed the Freedom to Marry initiative. He was a frequent media spokesperson and public speaker. Ken also led significant increases in fundraising and organizational capacity.
As Communications Director for the Annenberg Institute for School Reform, the Coalition of Essential Schools, and Oxfam America, Ken led the rebranding and rebuilding of communications strategies for national nonprofits changing the conversation about, and the practice of, school reform and poverty alleviation, respectively.
LinkedIn: Ken White