Building the next generation of community leadership
Jenny D. Schnauber, talent acquisition manager at Estes Construction
A strong nonprofit board consists of people who understand their role, bring useful skills and perspectives to the table, and are prepared to guide an organization through leadership transitions and whatever comes next.
Yet many nonprofits lack a plan for developing and transitioning leaders. According to a recent national report, only 29 percent of nonprofits surveyed have a succession plan in place.
Nicole Cisne Durbin, CEO of Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois and former CEO of Family Resources, sees building a stronger leadership pipeline as an important challenge for the sector. “We need a new generation to carry the torch,” she said. “That means we as a sector need to train, educate, offer, and provide access.”
With donor support, the Hunt and Diane Harris Center for Nonprofit Excellence is helping build that pipeline. The Center’s Strong Board Governance Series—which just completed its second year—brings together people across the nonprofit, business, and public sectors. Participants learn the fundamentals of effective governance, but they also build relationships that can turn into something much bigger.
Jenny D. Schnauber, talent acquisition manager at Estes Construction, experienced it firsthand. As part of their commitment to investing in opportunities that strengthen the communities where they work, Estes sponsored her participation in the series, giving Schnauber an opportunity to learn what effective board service looks like and how her professional experience could translate to nonprofit leadership.
“The program gave me the foundational knowledge to serve and also the confidence to step into it,” she said. “It also put me in a room with like-minded people where I could learn, grow, and make new connections.”
The series also introduced Schnauber to Durbin and the work of Family Resources. Schnauber was drawn to the organization’s impact and began considering how she could contribute.
Schnauber has since joined the Family Resources board and is already putting her professional expertise to work as chair of the search committee for its next CEO. She encourages other professionals who are interested in community leadership to start with the same curiosity that brought her to the series. “Don’t be afraid to ask questions,” she said. “You’re there to support the mission.”
Board members, she added, have a responsibility to “ask good questions, push back respectfully, provide insight, and understand the priorities.”
The connection is just one example of how local professionals are bringing their skills, experiences, and passion to strengthen the nonprofit ecosystem.
“These connections don’t happen by accident,” said Durbin, who also serves on the Harris Center’s Advisory Committee. “Things like board training, staff development, governance, and relationship building all require time and resources, which are out of reach for some nonprofits. The Center is ready to prepare every organization for the future.”