5 Reflections from a Longtime Nonprofit CEO and Executive Search Advisor

While serving the nonprofit sector in some capacity for the past 54 years, I’ve seen many trends and transformations take place. I first began my career as a therapist for a children’s organization and then served as a nonprofit Executive Director or CEO for 34 years. For the last 15 years, I have been part of the leadership team at The Moran Company to help other organizations find great nonprofit executives.

As you can imagine, much has changed within the nonprofit sector. We have more technology and tools at our fingertips, which can increase efficiency and expand our reach. The pandemic changed the way we think about where and how we work, which impacts candidates’ career goals and motivations. Tenure for nonprofit fundraising and leadership positions is becoming shorter, and there is a growing awareness about the importance of staff onboarding and retention, which is why The Moran Company has expanded our post-search support services to offer guidance in these areas.

On the other hand, much has stayed the same. Anyone who dedicates their life and career to serving the nonprofit sector must be committed to doing the best possible job. Every organization is unique, and so their recruitment efforts also must be customized – beyond what any algorithm or artificial intelligence can offer to date. The ability to build authentic and trustworthy relationships remains an important skill for any nonprofit leader or recruiter. Finally, the hours are still long but incredibly worthwhile when you believe in your work, have a sense of purpose, and see the positive results of your efforts to help others.

As I reflect back, it’s truly a privilege to watch the evolution of our recruiting firm and the impact of the overall nonprofit sector through the decades. It certainly brings me a sense of purpose and pride. Along the way, I’ve learned a lot about how to be an effective leader in the sector. Here are a few things I’ve discovered or observed:

1. Hire to your weaknesses, not to your strengths. This approach certainly worked for me as a nonprofit leader, and it’s a philosophy Bill Moran continues to use whether recruiting for others or expanding his own team. It’s important to bring in additional generations, people from different backgrounds, and those with complementary skill sets. We must feel comfortable about ourselves to allow others to work with us who do not think the way we do. In recruiting, it is especially important to know how people and skills fit together so they become the puzzle pieces that join together for a bigger vision.
2. Intentionally focus on building a positive culture. This doesn’t just happen overnight. Every action and decision influences workplace culture. Everyone plays a role in building it, from long-term executives to brand new hires. It’s critical to define and communicate the desired culture and expectations, and more importantly, demonstrate it through your actions. During the first phase of our search process, we take the time to get to know your culture so we can help you achieve the best hiring results.
3. Embrace collaboration. Successful people and organizations do not thrive in a bubble but instead seek connections and partnerships that offer greater value together. Nonprofits that collaborate are often more effective than those that compete. Similarly, nonprofit leaders can engage mentors and community members to expand their lifelong learning and network of support as they grow. At The Moran Company, we pride ourselves on a team approach to recruiting and offer facilitated peer learning groups for our newly placed nonprofit executives to further support their leadership transitions.
4. Be comfortable with change. Services have to evolve to meet the dynamic and changing needs of people and our world. When I was a nonprofit CEO of a children’s behavioral health organization, programs often adapted based on best practices, fluctuating funding streams, and the evolving needs of those served. In recruiting, the same is true based on our nonprofit clients’ needs. The Moran Company started as a fundraising consultancy and then switched gears to focus entirely on providing retained search services for nonprofits that were asking for help recruiting skilled nonprofit leaders and fundraisers like us. We listened and continued to adjust our services locally, regionally, and then nationally.
5. Know your non-negotiables. These might be core values like honesty, trust, and integrity. It could be your organization’s mission statement. Know where you stand on the issues that matter most so you never lose yourself or purpose even in the midst of tremendous change. The Moran Company shares many of the same values held by nonprofit organizations since we come from that sector, and we know how important they are to uphold.

Looking ahead, it’s exciting to think about what is yet to come. The next generation of nonprofit leaders holds great potential, and they can build bridges with collaborators and peers to advance the overall industry. Change will always be on the horizon but qualities like adaptability, curiosity, and lifelong learning will never go out of style.

Throughout the past 15 years, it’s been equally rewarding to see The Moran Company grow alongside the nonprofit sector. Initially, I worked closely with its only two employees – Founder/President Bill Moran and Director of Administration Susan Barton – both of whom are still involved in operations to this day. In 2008, the firm’s physical office space in Kansas City was traded for a virtual work environment that stretches across many miles well beyond the Midwest. Today, our team is nearly 20 members strong with additional staff and search consultants located in multiple states to best serve the growing demand of nonprofits needing executive search services nationwide. I invite you to read more about our firm’s story.

If we can help your organization find its next great nonprofit Executive Director, CEO, Vice President, Director of Development, or another key leader, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to serve you. Our commitment remains stronger than ever.

By Paul Gemeinhardt, M.S.W.
Senior Search Advisor
The Moran Company
“We Find Great Nonprofit Leaders”