Nonprofit Executive Leadership Coaching

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Nancy Fournier Ph.D., Relationship Strategist for Women Nonprofit EDs

As much as you love your nonprofit, you may be overwhelmed by managing all aspects of the agency and do not want to burn-out.

With so many demands on your time and energy as a nonprofit leader, it is hard to shift from constantly reacting to calmly responding and confidently leading.

Women Nonprofit Executive Directors have unique challenges in finding their voice and leading with authority. Knowing how to identify and overcome these gender-specific obstacles has fed my passion to create Relish Your Role to support and coach nonprofit leaders like you.

Many women nonprofit leaders struggle with:

  • turning their staff into confident decision makers.
  • developing a strong leadership pipeline.
  • having a responsive and active Board of Directors.
  • creating productive service partnerships.
  • maintaining a good work/life balance.
  • feeling supported in their nonprofit leadership role.

It’s time to stop feeling alone in your leadership. I can help.

I have managed and worked with nonprofit agencies for over 30 years. As an experienced leadership and management coach, I know that the stronger the Executive Director’s relationships with their staff, board, and partners, the greater their impact. 

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My Coaching Style

In helping you overcome the roadblocks keeping you from success, I see my coaching role as an outsourced supplier of candor, providing empathetic and objective feedback.

We will unearth those patterns and self-sabotaging messages which get in your way.  We can increase your self-awareness and learn new habits so you can lead with all your brilliance.

My executive coaching is highly individualized and starts with identifying your goals for our work together and creating agreed-upon benchmarks to measure progress and hold us both accountable for your personal and professional success.

Executive coaching goals routinely include:

  • Increasing your emotional intelligence so you can read people more accurately and create effective work relationships.
  • Improving your prioritization skills so you can control your time and focus on the important things. 
  • Strengthening your delegation muscles so you can hand off tasks with confidence that work will get done in a way that meets your expectations.
  • Sharpen your communication skills so you can voice your views without second guessing yourself.

Want to learn more?

Fill out the application for a free discovery call

Below is sample of the areas we may address through executive coaching to help you run your nonprofit agency with confidence:

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Build a Culture of Staff Autonomy & Leadership

  • Assess your delegation style and staff capabilities.
  • You will learn how to coach your staff teams so they reliably take ownership.
  • You will be free to think in a visionary and strategic way.

TUrn Your Board of Directors Into Engaged Advocates

  • We’ll evaluate your Board's interactions and behaviors.
  • Gain insights on how best to leverage their assets.
  • Your Board will be inspired to get involved and add real value.

Create Your Community of Support

  • Identify the status of your stakeholders and support systems.
  • Deepen your skills to create genuine connections.
  • You will have empathetic sounding boards and colleagues you can trust.

Build Headspace to Think Strategically

  • Uncover the tasks and situations which drain your energy.
  • Learn how to create healthy boundaries and smart work habits.
  • You will have reserves of passion and energy.
Nancy helped me better understand my own skills, interests and strengths as they related the inventory of duties needed in the Executive Director role and she helped me plan how to better delegate more among my staff while proactively supporting their professional development. Working with Nancy was the support I needed to gain clarity and confidence in my ability to be a more effective leader for the organization.
Erica Staley, Executive DirectorManufactoring Renaissance
Nancy challenged me to grow and change in ways I was not sure was possible. She taught me to view leadership in a new light, one where I could be my authentic self while pushing for professional growth not only for myself but the agency as a whole. Her brilliance, creativity and commitment has continued to support my decision-making and leadership today.
Dichelle Williams, Executive DirectorJuvenile Justice Intervention Center
Nancy's coaching has been a critical part of my journey in becoming a transformational leader. Her guidance and insights have helped me navigate complex challenges with renewed clarity and confidence and develop a deeper understanding or my own strengths and areas for improvement. Her approach consistently centers the needs of the community we serve, ensuring the ripple effects of her coaching is always mission-aligned.
Lauren Johnson, Executive DirectorSt. Charles CARE Center
I have worked with Nancy at multiple times in my career and her support has provided much needed clarity as I have weighed decisions as a leader. Her unique perspective, experiences and creativity has made out sessions productive, engaging and insightful. I always leave out time together feeling more confident and resolved in my next steps.
Jen Roberts, Chief Executive Officer Agenda For Children
As a founder, President and CEO of a relatively new nonprofit organization, Nancy helped me navigate the layers of complexities in managing relationships with both internal and external partners. Through direct and constructive feedback Nancy helped reduce my insecurities and build greater confidence.
Ze Min Xiao, President & CEOCenter for Economic Opportunity and Belonging
As a nonprofit executive director, I found myself in the midst of challenges I could not have anticipated was on the brink of burnout. Working with Nancy saved my sanity. I feel more able to continue to act on my values without sacrificing my own well-being. I highly recommend Nancy to any woman nonprofit leader looking for a coach who combines wisdom, expertise and incisive assessment with deep empathy.
Jessica Karjala, Executive Director Footloose Montana
Nancy exemplifies that perfect balance of empathy and accountability. During our work together, I received actionable feedback that supports my ability to collaborate with colleagues, helps me step out of my comfort zone, and pushes me to take a more holistic, inclusive approach to work. It's rare to have tough conversations, while totally maintaining respect for the other person - with Nancy, this is a part of who she is. And I'm coming out on the other side being made a better leader because of it.
Jené Liggins Director of Talent and People DevelopmentParaha Institute
Nancy Fournier is an exceptional CEO evaluator who has transformed how our board sets goals and measures success. Her ability to articulate clear, actionable objectives empowers both the board and me to focus on what truly drives impact. Nancy's feedback is thorough and candid, yet always delivered with clarity and respect, making it easy to understand where I stand and how to grow. She’s an invaluable partner in aligning leadership performance with organizational vision.
Sabrina Pence, Chief Executive OfficerFirstLine Schools
With the guidance of Nancy Fournier, I found that I could love my work and myself again. Nancy leadership coaching has assisted me in evaluating my challenges, developing solutions, and actively practicing the skills to become a better leader. I now love being an executive director again.
Erica Fearn, Executive DirectorAuer Farms

I want to hear about you, your vision and what is getting in your way. Let’s talk soon.

I’ll be in touch to schedule a complimentary 45-minute Discovery Call so I can learn more about exactly what you want and how I can help you get there.

First, please share a bit about yourself and your agency in the quick questionnaire below.

 

Nancy
Nancy Fournier Ph.D.
Leadership Coach for Women Nonprofit Executive Directors