Executive Careers

New CEOs:

Foundation names director

   The George Family Foundation hired its first fulltime executive director, Peg Birk, who took office Dec. 9. The Minneapolis-based foundation supports initiatives in integrative medicine, leadership development, spirituality and education. Birk has held leadership posts in nonprofit organizations, corporations and city government. She worked most recently as co-executive director of the Minnesota Early Learning Foundation. Previously she was interim president of the McKnight Foundation, general counsel and senior vice president for Federated Insurance Companies, city attorney for Saint Paul under Mayor Norm Coleman, as well as senior government affairs counsel and senior corporate counsel for The Saint Paul Companies.

Sports trade group appoints NBA veteran 

The National Basketball Retired Players Association appointed Charles D. Smith as its executive director. Smith replaced Len Elmore, at the New York-based group.  

Smith was most recently the regional representative of player programs for the NBA Players Association, where he provided players and former players with educational programs and support services. He also directed the Rookie Transition Program, in collaboration with the National Basketball Association, to help first-year players phase into the NBA.  Smith, a 10-year veteran of the NBA, played for the Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks, and most recently, the San Antonio Spurs before retiring in 1997.   He is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and is pursuing a master’s of business administration from Seton Hall University in New Jersey.

Searches under way:

Center for a New American Dream
Takoma Park, MD 
Seek individual to report to the Board of Directors. Direct a senior management team to implement New Dream’s core programs, supervise staff  and consultants, and oversee the management of all programs and administrative systems, including all fund raising activities. Serve as a fundraiser.  Prepare, monitor, and operate on an annual budget. Help the organization  be nimble and respond to new realities. Work with senior staff and board  to provide strong internal and external leadership. Track progress against  objectives. Represent the organization before the larger public, including  speaking to donors, media, and experts in the field. Need the ability to  meet and energize donors and foundations; adaptive leadership skills and effective management skills. Experience at management and leadership,  preferably in the nonprofit sector. Demonstrated success as a fundraiser.  Experience in program development, evaluation, organizational development, and work with a board of directors. Familiarity with public policy,  communications, and/or market-based campaigns, especially campaigns  that integrate media, advocacy, and organizing. The ability to communicate with diverse constituencies and the ability to think holistically,  strategically, and collaboratively. Outstanding interpersonal skills, sense of humor, humility, and good judgment and a willingness to travel. This  position is based on a 4-day work week - something to which the entire  organization subscribes. Cover letter and resume by January 15, 2009 to  Samantha Stallybrass. Executive Director Search, Suite 900, 6930 Carroll  Avenue, Takoma Park, MD 20912 Telephone: 301-891-3683 E-mail: samantha@newdream.org Internet: www.newdream.org.

Jefferson Awards for Public Service
Wilmington, DE 
Search under way for Executive Director. Mr. Sam Beard has served as  President and CEO for 26 years. Seek Executive Director to take over  as Mr. Beard plans to step down from his position within three years, at  which point the Executive Director will become the President/CEO. As fast as the new Executive Director learns about the programs and workings  of the Jefferson Awards, s/he will take over. To prepare for this transition,  the Board and Mr. Beard have resolved the following: Seek individual  to review the organization, programs and staff, and report to the Board  with an assessment and recommendations for growth, improvements or  changes, including performance standards and goals. Report jointly to President/CEO Sam Beard, and to the Board. Support a Board development process.   And experience working with policymakers, media, educators, community and corporate leaders. An advanced degree is preferred.  Resumes in confidence to: Ford Webb Associates, Inc. 60 Thoreau Street Concord, MA 01741 or Email to awards@fordwebb.com

MCCP (Medical Care for Children Partnership) Foundation
Baltimore, MD 
Search under way for Executive Director of this organization dedicated to  providing comprehensive health care to the medically uninsured children  of families of Fairfax County's working poor. The ideal candidate possesses  political savvy, as evidenced by prior experience with successful community  initiatives and coalition building. Strong financial management skills as evidenced by prior success building and managing budgets and investments.  High degree of motivation, good judgment, and self-direction to define processes to achieve Foundation goals. Community Leader – has a passion  building strategic alliances to invest in families and children. Willing to effectively communicate the local vision and engage and get full buy-in from  others. Visionary – looks beyond business as usual and pushes the envelope with foresight, innovative ideas and creativity. Strategic Decision Maker  Able to ‘think big’ see the broader community issues, and provide direction setting and leadership based on the mission and strategic objectives of the county, customer needs and expectations, resources, and programs.  Positive Change Agent – Celebrates change, welcoming challenges as an opportunity for continuous quality improvement and a chance to improve the  quality of life for families in the county. Email cover letter, resume and salary requirements to: MCCP@transitionguides.com. Search by Ginna Goodenow (Ext. 18) and Don Tebbe (Ext. 19), TransitionGuides, 1751 Elton Rd,  Suite 204, Silver Spring, MD 20903. Phone: (301) 439-6635

These are just a few of the current postings.  Subscribe for full information.