Dear Friends,

There is a wealth of talent in the nonprofit sector—and many people working within the sector below the "C" level will become tomorrow's senior nonprofit leaders. But because few nonprofit organizations have the resources to offer formal career development programs, it can be challenging for individuals to work their way up to the senior leadership ranks.

For this month's article, "How to Develop Yourself as a Nonprofit Leader," we asked six senior executives who have spent their entire careers in the nonprofit sector about how they moved into leadership roles. Some of the executives said that they gained the skills they needed by starting small, i.e., by joining a small organization where they would be able to take on a wide variety of responsibilities. Others noted that post-graduate degree programs helped them build strong leadership skills, as well as a network of peers who continue to provide insight, guidance, and support.

While the executives' varied paths cannot serve as blueprints for career development, their stories are insightful and inspiring. The examples they provide could become tools with which you can fashion your own route to senior nonprofit leadership.

Regards,
David L. Simms
Bridgespan Partner and Head of Bridgestar

FEATURE

How to Develop Yourself as a Nonprofit Leader

Many people who are working within the ranks of nonprofit organizations could become great senior nonprofit leaders. However, in part because of budget constraints, few organizations in the sector have formal professional development programs to prepare mid-level managers for senior roles. As a result, most mid-level nonprofit professionals must take responsibility for their own career development. One way to begin the process is to tap the experience of senior leaders who already have worked their way up within the sector. To that end, we spoke with six senior nonprofit leaders—all of whom have spent much if not all of their careers working in the nonprofit sector—about their career paths and the lessons they learned along the way. We also asked what advice they would give to mid-level managers looking to move into senior nonprofit leadership roles.

Read the full article: How to Develop Yourself as a Nonprofit Leader >

DISCUSSION & POLL

Discussion
What is your nonprofit organization doing to foster your professional development and/or what are you doing to advance your own professional development? Where have you turned to get help with your career?
Join the discussion >


Poll
Which source have you found most helpful to further your career development?

• Formal internal program(s)
• Formal external program(s)/course(s)
• External peer groups
• Career counselors/coaches
• Mentors in the organization
• Mentors outside the organization
• Other