Executive Transition for Nonprofit Organizations
Clarity and Continuity Through Change
I support nonprofits through executive transitions and succession planning during critical moments of change. When leadership changes, I provide the structure, clarity, and steady guidance needed to navigate the transition without losing momentum, institutional knowledge, or trust.
The Weight of Getting It Right
Executive transitions are high-stakes, and most organizations aren’t set up to navigate them smoothly. Boards are often stretched too thin to lead the process, and the specific skill set required to manage a transition while maintaining stability is rarely in place when it’s needed most.
You’re hiring while also keeping the organization running
The board and staff aren’t fully aligned on what comes next or who’s responsible for what
Knowledge lives in people’s heads, not in systems
Operational and leadership gaps come to light
Uncertainty leads to frustration, staff turnover and burnout
Transition Support Can Also Include:
Coaching for senior and interim leadership, as well as staff members
Coordinating with a PR firm and supporting the transition announcement
People operations (HR) infrastructure and process improvements
Operational assessment and improvements
Supporting development efforts, including funder notifications
Anything the organization needs to maintain momentum and relationships through change
A Bridge to a Sustainable Future
As a coach and consultant, I can help you create the conditions for a successful transition. Together, we can:
Clarify the role and future direction so you’re hiring for where you’re going, not where you’ve been
Assess internal capacity and leadership pipelines to identify strengths, gaps, and opportunities
Design and manage the hiring process from job description through candidate selection and offer letter
Create systems to capture and transfer institutional knowledge and key relationships
Support onboarding and transition planning so your new leader can step in with clarity and confidence
Case Study: Film Pittsburgh
I led the executive search for Film Pittsburgh while providing hands-on operational leadership during the transition, ensuring stability and continuity across the organization. This dual role allowed the staff and board to stay focused and feel supported while securing the right long-term leader.
Client Testimonial
“Film Pittsburgh received tremendous value with our executive director search, and I still tell people how important hiring Shannon was. I would tell any nonprofit board to get professional help during any employee search or difficult transition.”
—Daryl Hutson, Film Pittsburgh Board Chair
How We’ll Work Together:
Schedule a Consultation
Your first 45-minute consultation is free! Let’s feel each other out and look for a mutual fit.
Bring Your Tough Challenges
& Big Ideas
Come to your consultation ready to tell me about what you’re working on and where you’d like to go next.
Co-Create a Plan or Chart
Your Next Steps
Your consultation will result in a plan to work together or next steps you can take on your own.
What It Costs
I work with small and mid-sized nonprofits at all stages of organizational development and can tailor engagements to fit a range of budgets.
Working through an executive transition requires an investment of both time and financial resources. My role is to partner with your Board and leadership team to strengthen organizational readiness, guide decision-making, and support each stage of the transition — from planning and communications to executive search and onboarding. Your role is to remain engaged throughout the process and commit to the governance, operational, and organizational work that creates the conditions for long-term success.
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A holistic approach to executive leadership transitions that extends beyond executive search. Together, we'll prepare your organization for new leadership by strengthening governance, clarifying priorities, supporting communications, assessing organizational readiness, and creating the conditions for a successful search, onboarding, and long-term leadership transition.
Investment: Custom proposals starting at $30,000 -
Not every organizational challenge fits into a predefined service. If you're tackling something unique, I'll work with you to design a customized engagement that builds on your strengths, aligns with your capacity, and helps you achieve your goals.
Investment: Contact me for a customized proposal -
Flexible, on-demand support for nonprofit leaders and boards who need an experienced strategic thought partner. Whether you're navigating a personnel issue, governance question, organizational challenge, or leadership decision, we'll use our time to develop practical solutions and actionable next steps.
Investment: $250 per hourlong session or $700 for three sessions, monthly retainers starting at $500