Jumpstart: Keys to Success for New Foundation Executives

Stepping into the role of a foundation chief executive officer (CEO) is a high-stakes transition that requires leaders to balance the immediate demands of donors with the long-term strategic needs of the institution. Although there’s pressure to produce fundraising results immediately, seasoned leaders emphasize that sustainable success as a chief executive must be rooted in relationships. For a new CEO, the first year on the job is best spent learning how to navigate the political, cultural, and operational complexities of your new institution’s ecosystem. Three veteran foundation CEOs recommend new executives to start in these five key areas.