Executive Director Mastermind

Executive leadership can often feel solitary, but you do not have to navigate it alone.

The Executive Director Mastermind provides a confidential, peer-driven space for nonprofit EDs to build a professional network, solve shared organizational challenges, and accelerate personal growth.

Connect with fellow leaders to collectively navigate the complex governance, structural, and management demands unique to executive leadership. Blending structured training, expert insights, and practical application, this program equips EDs to lead with clarity, confidence, and community.

Program Focus Areas:

Organizational Mastery: Scaling operations, funding, and impact.
Leadership & Team Dynamics: Developing self and others for sustainable success.
Strategic Career Development: Preparing for the next level of executive leadership.

Program Term
January - December 2027

Cohort Size
~12 Executive Directors

Commitment
Monthly, 90-minute virtual mastermind sessions, dedicated time for peer-to-peer connection, and two in-person retreats.

90 Minutes | Second Monday of Each Month*
- Guided Facilitation: A facilitator keeps sessions structured while the peer group leads the discussion.
- Reflective Anchors: Strategic and reflective question to the group.
- Executive Hot Seats: EDs present a challenge to tap the cohort’s collective expertise for real-time solutions.
- Expert Mini-Talks: Short presentations on key skill or development areas, followed by Q&A or discussion.
*April and October dates are shifted to avoid holidays and local school closures.
- Retreat 1: Launch & Vision (January 11, 2027)
  
  The Community Builder. A day-long session focused on deep relationship building, establishing trust, defining personal and professional goals for the year, and an initial mini-institute focused on Strategic Development.
- Retreat 2: Strategy & Closure (September 13, 2027)
  
  The Growth Accelerator. A day-long session focused on evaluating progress, long-term succession planning, developing concrete action plans for achieving the next organizational and career milestones, and creating a framework for post-mastermind peer accountability.
- An intentionally crafted community for participants to share resources, ask real-time questions, and develop one-on-one connections for sustained support.

Program Structure & Format

“In my experience, programs like this often fall into one of two categories: they're either a certification program where you attend and cover general topics, or they're purely networking focused.

Our mastermind is less about general education and more about high-impact application and accountability.”

- Susannah Darrow, Program Facilitator

2027 Program Dates

Cohort sessions will be the on the second Monday of each month.*

January 11

In-Person Kickoff Retreat
Atlanta, GA
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

February 8