Leadership Transitions: Succession Planning's Impact on Fundraising Success

Leadership Transitions: Succession Planning's Impact on Fundraising Success

Cynthia J. Armour, CFRE 

This is a hybrid event.

Where do succession planning and fundraising success intersect? Would your organization be able to sustain a decline in income or fundraising activities if there’s a change in leadership? Do investors trust the organization can succeed without the current executive? Who is responsible for donor relations? These are a few questions we’ll explore in this fast-paced session with board governance and fundraising pioneer (and PAFN co-founder) Cynthia Armour, (CFRE since 1995).

She will also lead a facilitated discussion identifying roadblocks while inspiring leaders to take practical steps that prepare your organization for leadership transitions at the staff and board levels. BYOB… bring your own board! This is a session that (at the very least) your board chair and CEO should attend, so send them an invitation to join online or in person. Chances are, they’re already supporting your membership in PAFN and here’s an opportunity to introduce them to the benefits of their investment!

Session outcomes:

• Leadership succession defined

• Roadblocks to successful succession

• The “investor’s” perspective

• The importance of organizational (vs individual) relationships

• The Chief Executive’s and Board Chair’s role

• Practical succession planning tips and tools

About Cynthia

Cynthia J. Armour, CFRE cut her teeth in fundraising as a volunteer just as her permanent teeth were emerging! During the early 1960s her dad was president of the Ontario Humane Society board and as an avid "animal defender" she was fundraising at 6 years young. Her mom was a group captain for the local Canadian Cancer Society, so she canvassed all the neighbours on her pony during her pre-teen years, before exploring other professional avenues. Following a decade with the Royal Bank and two years of travels throughout North America with her dog, she pursued an education and work in Rehabilitation and Gerontology before working on her first multi-million-dollar capital campaign in 1987, followed by another in 1989. She went on to study and teach Fundraising, Nonprofit Leadership & Management, thus offering an eclectic perspective to her consulting practice, which she’s offered to clients since 1991. Cynthia remains a lifelong student with ongoing research, studies, writing and presenting.