Succession Planning 2: From Handoff to Head Start: Rethinking Nonprofit CEO Transitions Through Fundraising
As part of my newsletter, A Return to Civil Society, I’ve invited my long-time friend and fundraising consultant, Peter Hansen, to join me on these relevant succession planning blogs In our first blog, we described the dismal record of nonprofit boards—and their CEOs—in creating healthy succession plans. It would seem that organizations that plan well […]
Leading with Confidence – Succession Planning 1
March 2, 2026 Leading with Confidence: Donor-Centered Succession Planning During a CEO Transition Over the next few weeks, Peter Hansen, Principal of Arts, Culture, & Media Philanthropic Advisors, and James Abruzzo, President of Abruzzo Associates, will present a series of blogs on this important topic and its implications. The Facts Since 1991, James Abruzzo and […]
The CEO might (will) retire
Nonprofit executives are retiring at a faster pace than ever before. Industry studies suggest that as many as three-quarters of nonprofit executives expect to leave their roles in the next decade, signaling a widespread retirement and transition wave across the sector. Too many of them—after decades devoted to causes they deeply believe in—are discovering they […]
I’m Neither Done Nor Fired! An Interview with Patti Temple Rocks
We are excited to announce a new episode of the I’m Not Fired! podcast series: I’m Neither Done Nor Fired! is an exploration of ageism in the workplace with Patti Temple Rocks. Tackling subjects such as contract negotiation, employment law, business ownership, and other employment related issues, the I’m Not Fired! podcast is hosted by […]
OPINION: The dire future of nonprofits in 2026
At the beginning of each year, I produce a “forecast” for the coming year—a series of conjectures on what may become of the United States nonprofit sector. Written by James Abruzzo January 12, 2026 | The Berkshire Edge Editor’s note: The author is vice chairman of DHR Global, an executive search and leadership consulting firm […]
New management position in an exciting arts organization
Marketing/Development Consultant Organization: Close Encounters with Music. www.cewm.org Location: Berkshires, MA; and remote The Organization Now in its 32nd year of presenting concerts in the Berkshires, the mission of Close Encounters With Music is to engage the imagination of diverse concert audiences in a welcoming setting; connect listeners to performers and composers; foster the excitement […]
The Great Resignation Nation
In the last two months, in these newsletter postings, I’ve been offering advice on finding the ideal job, beginning your own consulting business, the best way to find a job, and what to do once you’ve been offered a job. But the big story about jobs and careers is the number of people quitting and […]
CAREERS IN MOTION: Hanging out a shingle
In this follow-up to his previous post, James Abruzzo discusses how becoming an independent consultant can be a path to a new job. In my January 2nd article—“New Year’s resolution—get a new job”—I promised the next post would be about the fourth option for finding that new job, which is starting your own consultancy, or […]
CAREERS IN MOTION: Hanging out a shingle
Advice to compensation committeeBest practices in nonprofit executive compensation (revised 10/17)
You Definitely Won’t Get What You Are Worth Unless You Ask
In my role as a nonprofit compensation consultant and contract negotiator, I am usually retained by CEO’s or boards to negotiate multi-year year, complex employment contract. Sometimes, I get a request for advice that, if I have time, I respond to. As you can see from the note I received this morning, it can be […]