Lorcan Barnes brings over 28 years of executive leadership experience in the non-profit arena to his clients. After a highly successful 24-year tenure as a President/CEO in private secondary education, Lorcan began a consulting career. He purchased Lester Consulting Group, Inc. whose mission is “to advance the standards and practice of effective management and philanthropy in non-profit organizations.”
Lorcan brings confidence rooted in experience as well as a healthy balance of energy and calm. Four times in his career, he became the CEO of an organization as an ‘outsider.’ He is a quick study of organizations and is able to align stakeholders on mission and sustainability. Lorcan is a relationship-builder who understands and respects the cultural ownership embraced by so many stakeholders (employees, governing boards, volunteers, clients served, donors, business partners, and civic leaders, etc.) in a mission-inspired organization.
His deep background in private education complemented with his five years as a full-time consultant and business owner gives Lorcan a unique perspective to work with a broad range of nonprofit organizations. Lorcan is a graduate of the Third Sector Company’s Interim Executives Academy. He is a collaborator, a strategic thinker, and a decision-maker who enjoys taking non-profit organizations to the next level.
Areas of Expertise
- Executive Search
- Executive Coaching, Professional Mentoring
- Fundraising
- Strategic Planning
- Interim Leadership
- Board Governance
- Public Speaking
- Leadership Team Development
- Budget Management
Career Highlights/Relevant Accomplishments
- Successfully recruited and placed nonprofit CEOs in eight states
- Interim Executive Director of Head Start California while concurrently facilitating search for long-term Executive Director
- Raised over $25 million in capital and endowment funds for Christian Brothers High School (Sacramento, CA) and concurrently increased tuition assistance 414% for students from low- and modest-income families.
- Executed over $20 million in campus improvements (property acquisitions, two campus master plans, four new facilities) without taking on debt.
- Provided Planned Giving training for Beavers Charitable Foundation
- Helped private family foundation establish Mission, Vision, Values and initial priorities.
Professional Work Experience
- Owner, President/CEO, Consultant: Lester Consulting Group, Sacramento, CA 2020 – present
- Interim Executive Director: Head Start California, Sacramento, CA 1/2023 – 7/2023
- President/CEO: Christian Brothers High School, Sacramento, CA 2004 – 2020
- President/CEO: Chaminade-Julienne High School, Dayton, OH 1996 – 2004
- Assistant to the President: Loyola High School of Los Angeles 1996 – 2004
Lorcan is a graduate of the Third Sector’s Interim Executives Academy.
LinkedIn: Lorcan Barnes