Executive Director Launchpad
Being a new executive leader comes with unique challenges!
The Executive Director Launchpad is a cohort accelerator blending instructor-led insights with collaborative peer exchange. Connect with fellow leaders to collectively work through the unique governance, structural, and leadership challenges of navigating the first years at the helm of a nonprofit.
This program addresses:
Organizational Integration & Financial Stewardship: Shifting from departmental budgeting to holistic financial strategy and control.
Advanced Governance & Stakeholder Alignment: Mastering the ED's unique role in working through the board and managing complex external relationships.
Executive Leadership & Capacity Building: Developing the skills needed to delegate high-level work and grow organizational capacity.
Change Management & Transition: Navigating the alignment of teams, operations, and shifting board dynamics when taking the helm as an ED.
Participants will receive structured, instructor-led training, blending foundational knowledge modules, expert presentations, and practical application exercises.
Program Structure & Format
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Strategic Modules & Case Studies: Each week features a module focused on translating a senior functional skill (e.g., Development) into an executive strategic perspective (e.g., Diversifying Funding Portfolio based on financial modeling).
Case Study Analysis: Participants work through real-world scenarios focused on ED-level challenges (e.g., a board member overstepping, a major donor loss).
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Executive Problem-Solving Sessions: Structured time for participants to bring specific executive-level challenges for expert and peer-group feedback.
One-on-One Peer Session: Participants will be paired with another Executive Director, rotating throughout the program. These one-on-one’s are to establish peer connection, creating space for deeper conversation, accountability, and sustained support throughout the program and beyond.
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Deliverable: Participants conclude the program with an executive plan that outlines a one year financial strategy, a plan for board engagement, and an assessment of organizational staffing structure needs for future growth.
Our program is full! Join the waitlist to be first in line for the next cohort.
Program Term
August 2026 - August 2027
Cohort Size
5-10 Participants
Commitment
Monthly virtual session (90 mins) & weekly application work.
Cost:
$1200 $650 per person
Registration deadline extended to 7/31/2026
“In my experience, programs like this are either a certification program where you attend and cover general topics, or they're purely networking focused. Our program is less about general education and more about high-impact application and accountability.”
- Susannah Darrow, Program Facilitator
Contact Susannah with any questions
Program Dates
August 11
In-Person Kickoff Retreat
Atlanta, GA
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Cohort sessions are one Tuesday each month including in-person kickoff and closing retreats in Atlanta, GA.
No session in December 2026.
September 15
Virtual Mastermind
Via Zoom
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
October 13
Virtual Mastermind
Via Zoom
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
November 17
Virtual Mastermind
Via Zoom
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
January 12
Virtual Mastermind
Via Zoom
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
February 9
Virtual Mastermind
Via Zoom
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
March 9
Virtual Mastermind
Via Zoom
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
April 13
Virtual Mastermind
Via Zoom
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
May 11
Virtual Mastermind
Via Zoom
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
June 8
Virtual Mastermind
Via Zoom
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
July 13
Virtual Mastermind
Via Zoom
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
August 10
In-Person Closing Retreat
Atlanta, GA
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
“It's incredible to have a group of peers to build community and check in with. The ED job can feel very lonely and we are all facing so many similar problems. It's nice to have a group who understands. Layer on top of it the learning moments...and it's gold!”
-Meisa Salaita, 2026 ED Cohort Participant
Key Training Modules & Focus Topics
Organizational Integration & Financial Stewardship
Financial Leadership: Moving beyond basic bookkeeping to utilizing cash flow projections and financial scenarios to inform strategic investment and resource allocation decisions.
Operationalizing Values-Aligned Decision Making: Implementing organizational values to guide high-stakes choices regarding programming, budget trade-offs, and compliance.
Creating Processes and Increasing Efficiency at Scale: Designing effective, sustainable processes across functions (Ops, Programs, Fundraising) to support organizational scaling and reduce executive bottleneck.
Advanced Governance & Stakeholder Alignment
The ED-Board Covenant: A deep dive into how and when to work with a board or advisory group, focusing on strategic alignment, performance monitoring, and managing the tension between governance and operations.
Managing External Expectations: Developing communication frameworks to proactively manage the expectations of funders, media, and partners regarding programming, growth, and funding possibilities.
Advanced Relationship Cultivation: Leveraging the ED's role to open and close major strategic partnerships and high-value donor relationships.
Executive Leadership & Capacity Building
Delegating for Capacity & Succession Planning: Mastering the art of high-level delegation to senior staff, focusing on growing their competence and proactively initiating internal succession planning discussions.
Strategic Staffing Structure: Evaluating and redesigning the organizational chart to optimize for future growth, recognizing and cultivating skillsets within the team to maximize organizational effectiveness.
Mastering Executive Storytelling: Crafting a coherent narrative to communicate mission impact that satisfies the strategic needs of the board, major donors, and executive peers.
Effective Difficult Conversations: Techniques for leading difficult, high-stakes conversations with board members, major donors, and senior staff regarding accountability and performance.