CEO Opportunity Great Kids Inc.

We are excited to share that we have opened a search for the next great CEO of Great Kids, Inc. 

Great Kids, Inc. (GK) creates early childhood education curricula and training for home visiting programs that support families and is an international leader in early childhood development. With three decades of experience in results-driven program implementation and management, they offer evidence-based curricula and tailored training to support successful program outcomes.  

Under the supervision of the GK Board of Directors, this position is responsible for setting the strategic vision and ensuring the overall success of the organization. The next CEO will provide strategic leadership to the GK Leadership Team and manage progress toward GK strategic goals. This includes oversight of business development, human resources and staff development, administrative functioning, management of the production and distribution of quality GK products and services, and strong customer relationships.

Please click below to view the full description for this position, including compensation information and how to apply.  The deadline to apply is July 22, 2024.  

Gregory NielsenNonprofit, Nonprofits, CEO, GreatKids, Leadership, ExecutiveSearchComment
Walden School Board Retreat

Healthy Boards make time to lift their gaze to identify and discuss long-term opportunities and challenges, so they are best positioned to thrive into the future. It was a pleasure to facilitate a Board retreat with the talented leaders of Walden School. Walden is a K-12 independent school community where all students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Their students benefit from personalized learning, hands-on experiences, and connections to nature in an environment that celebrates individuality.

Gregory NielsenNonprofit, Nonprofits, BoardRetreat, WaldenSchool, IndependentSchool, GregoryNielsen, Facilitator, FacilitationComment
NTCA Strategic Planning Retreat

The ecosystem around our organizations changes rapidly, and Boards that routinely survey that landscape and plan thoughtfully for the future are best positioned to excel. It was energizing to facilitate a strategic planning retreat this week in beautiful Asheville, North Carolina with the talented leaders of NTCA - The Rural Broadband Association. NTCA proudly represents more than 850 independent, family-owned and community-based broadband companies that are building and delivering connectivity and essential services in rural and small-town communities across the U.S.

Gregory NielsenNonprofit, Nonprofits, GregoryNielsen, Facilitator, Facilitation, StrategicPlanning, NTCA, BroadbandComment
Frank Bennett is named Executive Director of The Leadership Center, a program of the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce

Congratulations to Frank Bennett on being named Executive Director of The Leadership Center, a Program of Kentucky's Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce. Through my partnership with DCM Associates, I was pleased to lead this search with my colleague Yvonne Styles. The Leadership Center was launched in 2022 to work toward advancing the talent pipeline to support Paducah’s businesses, future economic development and community organizations. Congratulations Frank, The Leadership Center, and the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce!

Gregory NielsenNonprofit, Nonprofits, GregoryNielsen, ExecutiveSearchComment
West Side Montessori School Staff Retreat

A thoughtfully planned staff retreat fosters team cohesion, rejuvenates energy, and cultivates a collaborative environment. I spent a great day facilitating a staff retreat with the amazing leadership team of West Side Montessori School in New York City. West Side Montessori School is a vibrant, collaborative community of passionate teachers, joyful children and engaged parents. Always great to be back home in NY!

Gregory NielsenNonprofit, Nonprofits, StaffRetreat, GregoryNielsen, WestSideMontessoriSchool, Facilitator, FacilitationComment
Marshall County Public Library

In the dynamic world of leadership, balancing empathy and boundaries is crucial. 🤝 Empathy fosters trust, connection, and understanding among your team, while boundaries ensure respect, productivity, and healthy relationships. Thoroughly enjoyed leading a workshop on “Empathy With Boundaries” with the talented leaders of the Marshall County Public Library.

Lead with empathy, set healthy boundaries, and watch your team flourish! 💼💫

Gregory NielsenNonprofit, Nonprofits, Leadership, Empathy, Boundaries, Teamwork, GregoryNielsen, BalanceComment
Board Champions Comes to Evansville Indiana!

A healthy Board requires leaders who are informed, engaged, and inspired. It was a blast being in Evansville, Indiana last week presenting our Board Champions: Habits and Practices of Healthy Boards workshop. Thank you to Welborn Baptist Foundation for the invitation and also to the tremendous leaders who attended and inspired such a great discussion!

Gregory NielsenNonprofit, Nonprofits, BoardChampions, WelbornBaptistFoundation, GregoryNielsenComment
IndyGo Foundation Board Retreat

Access to public transportation and mobility options strengthen individuals’ independence and is a backbone for community growth and development. It was an honor to facilitate a Board retreat this week with the team from IndyGo Foundation. The mission of the IndyGo Foundation is to help the community thrive by connecting people through accessible, equitable, and inclusive mobility solutions.

Gregory NielsenNonprofit, Nonprofits, BoardRetreat, Facilitator, Facilitation, IndyGo, GregoryNielsen, BoardChampionsComment
ACE Mentor Louisville Strategic Planning Retreat

The mission of ACE Mentor Louisville is to engage, excite, and enlighten high school students to pursue careers in architecture, engineering, and construction through mentoring and continued support for their advancement into the industry. It was a privilege to facilitate their strategic planning retreat as these outstanding leaders envision ways to expand and enhance their impact on young people across our community.

Gregory NielsenNonprofit, Nonprofits, Facilitator, Facilitation, GregoryNielsen, ACEMentor, StrategicPlanningComment
Zac Plantz Foundation Board Retreat

As a facilitator, I am privileged to meet amazing leaders and families and learn about their story. The remarkable Plantz family chose to honor the legacy of their son and brother Zac by forming a foundation with a vision to build communities by shepherding the odd man out. The foundation invests in young people by providing them with opportunities to grow academically, socially, and spiritually as they set out to establish inspiring legacies of their own. It was my great honor to meet this special family and facilitate their Board retreat.

Gregory NielsenNonprofit, Nonprofits, Fundraising, Philanthropy, Facilitator, Facilitation, GregoryNielsenComment
CIT International Strategic Planning Retreat

Responding to those in crisis requires a community partnership of law enforcement, mental health and substance use professionals, individuals, and families. Last week I had the privilege of facilitating a multi-day Board retreat focused on strategic planning with the team from CIT International. I am inspired by their commitment to promoting collaboration and effective training to support communities as well as those experiencing a crisis.

Gregory NielsenNonprofit, Nonprofits, CITInternational, CIT, GregoryNielsen, StrategicPlanning, Facilitator, Facilitation, CrisisComment
CASA of the Lincoln Trail Strategic Planning Retreat

A thoughtful strategic plan includes the ideas and perspectives of Board, staff, volunteers, and other stakeholders. It was a privilege to facilitate a strategic planning retreat with the fantastic team from CASA of the Lincoln Trail this past weekend. CASA of the Lincoln Trail provides trained community volunteers to speak for children in court who are victims of dependency, neglect, and/or abuse. If you want to make a difference in the life of a child, consider becoming a CASA volunteer!

Gregory NielsenNonprofit, Nonprofits, StrategicPlanning, Facilitator, Facilitation, GregoryNielsen, CASA, CourtAppointedSpecialAdvocatesComment
Great Kids Inc Strategic Visioning

When talented leaders with diverse skills, talents, and perspectives gather to discuss their vision for the future, the energy is infectious. Thank you to the incredible Board and CEO of Great Kids Inc for inviting me to facilitate their recent strategic visioning session. Great Kids makes our world a better place for kids by creating early childhood education curricula and training for home visiting programs who support families.

Gregory NielsenNonprofit, Nonprofits, StrategicPlanning, GreatKidsInc, GregoryNielsen, Facilitation, FacilitatorComment
CASA of the Northern Bluegrass Strategic Planning Retreat

The cornerstone of an effective strategic plan is a vision that is graphic, inspiring, and attainable. CASA programs and volunteers help change the story for children who have experienced abuse and neglect. It was my privilege to facilitate a strategic planning retreat with the leaders of CASA of the Northern Bluegrass last week.

Gregory NielsenNonprofit, Nonprofits, CASA, StrategicPlanning, GregoryNielsen, Facilitator, FacilitationComment
Pete Foundation Strategic Planning Retreat

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to live in a world where mental health is treated the same way we approach other health issues? The Pete Foundation rallies communities to champion youth mental health and wellness through normalizing the topic, promoting education, and providing tools for healthy emotional development. It was a privilege to facilitate the recent strategic planning retreat with the leaders of this incredible organization.

Gregory NielsenNonprofit, Nonprofits, StrategicPlanning, Facilitator, Facilitation, GregoryNielsen, PeteFoundation, MentalHealthComment
Executive Director Opportunity: The Leadership Center

Through our partnership with DCM Associates, we are excited to share that we have opened a search for the first-ever Executive Director of The Leadership Center.

The Leadership Center, a brand for the leadership programs of the Kentucky-based Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce, works toward advancing the talent pipeline to support Paducah’s businesses, future economic development and community organizations. At this time, The Leadership Center is recruiting an experienced, entrepreneurial leader to become its first Executive Director. The organization seeks a highly transparent leader with uncompromising integrity who resides within or is willing to relocate to the Paducah, Kentucky area.

The Executive Director will provide visionary leadership to guide the organization with strategies that will continue to serve its members and the broader employer community. The position requires a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience and knowledge in a related field, as well as five or more years of executive non-profit or organizational leadership experience with goal setting and strategic planning. Click below to view the full ideal candidate profile for this position.

If you would like to express your interest in this position, please send a cover letter and resume to Gregory Nielsen at gregory@dcm-associates.com. If you would like to discuss the opportunity further or would like to recommend a candidate, please contact Dr. Yvonne Styles, at yvonne@dcm-associates.com.

Gregory NielsenNonprofit, Nonprofits, ExecutiveSearch, ExecutiveDirector, Leadership, Paducah, ChamberofCommerceComment
CASA By The Lakes Strategic Planning Retreat

As a facilitator, one of the most rewarding experiences is spending time with a Board that asks “How can I best serve the mission and support the team?” I was honored to spend the day with the Board and leaders of CASA by the Lakes for their strategic planning retreat. CASA by the Lakes envisions a community where every abused and neglected child has the opportunity to thrive in a safe and loving home.

Gregory NielsenNonprofit, Nonprofits, CASA, CourtAppointedSpecialAdvocates, Facilitator, Facilitation, StrategicPlanning, GregoryNielsenComment
CASA of the Ohio Valley Strategic Planning Retreat

It is magical when talented, passionate, and engaged leaders who are committed to the mission gather to plan for the future. Had a wonderful time facilitating a strategic planning retreat with the team from CASA of the Ohio Valley. These amazing leaders and volunteers advocate for abused, neglected, or dependent children within the Family Court systems of Daviess, McLean, Hancock, and Ohio Counties.

Gregory NielsenNonprofit, Nonprofits, CASA, CourtAppointedSpecialAdvocates, GregoryNielsen, StrategicPlanning, BoardRetreat, Facilitator, FacilitationComment
Nonprofit CEO & Board Leadership Virtual Conference

Professional development is critical to the success of all leaders. I invite you to join me at the upcoming Nonprofit CEO & Board Leadership Virtual Conference on February 22, 2024 presented by DCM Associates. I will be co-facilitating a panel discussion with my colleague Jay Weisman on “Strengthening Your Nonprofit Board.” Other sessions of the virtual conference include:

  • CEO Succession Planning – The CEO’s Perspective

  • CEO Succession Planning – The Board’s Perspective

  • Strengthening Your Leadership Team

Click below for more information and I look forward to you joining me on February 22 for a great day of learning and development!

Gregory NielsenNonprofit, Nonprofits, BoardGovernance, ProfessionalDevelopment, GregoryNielsenComment
CASA of the Bluegrass Board Retreat

CASA of the Bluegrass recruits and trains Court-Appointed Special Advocates so every child who has experienced abuse, neglect, or dependency can be safe, have a permanent home, and the opportunity to thrive. I had a great time this past Saturday facilitating a Board retreat with the leaders of this amazing organization!

Gregory NielsenNonprofit, Nonprofits, CASA, CourtAppointedSpecialAdvocates, BoardRetreat, BoardChampions, Facilitator, Facilitation, GregoryNielsenComment