Here are some recent leadership transitions that Interim Executive Solutions team members have helped organizations navigate.
- As Rainbow Child Development Center contemplated its next Executive Director, the IES team advised the board as to how to manage the transition, which search firms to consider and how to onboard and support the new ED. An IES Associate then worked with the outgoing ED to ensure all policies and procedures would be maintained in this highly regulated environment before taking over as Interim ED. Subsequently he handled the delicate task of preparing the staff and parents for new leadership and reopening during a pandemic. He also empowered the leadership team to deal with the inevitable setbacks that resulted from a student’s positive COVID-19 test result, and finally onboarded the incoming Executive Director.
- In two months, while a permanent ED hire was being finalized for the Margaret Fuller Neighborhood House, our IES Associate identified the program that was having the most significant drain on financial resources and provided the Board with mitigation strategies, along with other operational improvement ideas for the new Executive Director to consider.
- At ResearchILD, IES has helped the organization capitalize on a revenue-generating opportunity by implementing a structured sales process, adapting organizational priorities and roles, and identifying strategic partners that can fund and accelerate the adoption of the Executive Function curriculum that the organization has developed through its research. The work ultimately led to funding and hiring a permanent Executive Director.
- Six months after the Boston Center for Adult Education fired their Executive Director and CFO on suspicion of fraud, the organization reached out to IES for help. As Interim Executive Director, an IES team member rebuilt the trust of the staff, implemented best practice policies and procedures, restored confidence in the role of the board and provided information on the viability of the business model. This led the organization in new directions in service of its mission and, after assessing various options to maximize the impact of the organization and its assets, BCAE affiliated with JVS, an organization that empowers individuals from diverse communities to find employment and build careers, while partnering with employers to hire, develop, and retain productive workforces.
- The Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development asked IES to review Housing Families Inc., a provider of short-term shelter to families. In less than six weeks a team of three people interviewed key staff and Board members and provided the new Executive Director with concrete strategies for strengthening operations, accountability, teamwork and her own leadership priorities in order to restore the confidence of their primary funder. Th organization is now considered to be on very solid ground.
- A new Board Chair was appointed at The Hill for Literacy who recognized the need to bring on new members and revamp the governance structures. IES helped the board identify prospective Board Members, on-boarded them and focused their work on supporting and improving the impact of the organization. IES also conducted a 360 review of senior leadership and provided coaching and mentoring to senior staff and Board members as they adapted to new expectations and opportunities.
- IES was brought in to fill the role of Interim Executive Director after new board leadership of the New Hampshire Humane Society asked the prior ED to leave. In about six months we were able to change culture; develop a highly effective management team; significantly improve operations in finance, human resource management, fundraising and animal care; expand understanding by the Board of its roles and responsibilities; and support the internal recruiting and hiring of a permanent ED. When the initial search failed, our Associate was asked to stay on while an outside search firm conducted a second, very successful, search.
- The Board of the Landing School, a 2-year boat-building college in Maine, was concerned about excessive deficits, low enrollment and low morale. IES conducted an organizational assessment after which the President decided not to renew his contract. An IES team member then stepped in as acting President. He replaced the Director of Admissions, mapped out a new admissions process, upgraded the educational leadership team and the teaching staff paving the way for reaccreditation, and provided professional development to ensure high quality programs. The school was then able to attract an industry luminary as its new President.
We look forward to seeing what new challenges 2021 will bring.