Announcing a new initiative:
BoardWalk Board Member of the Month

During the course of our work for nonprofits and foundations, we are constantly impressed by the commitment of individual board members to the causes they serve. The faith, creativity and dedication of these volunteer leaders is an inspiration to everyone around them, but often the enormity of their contributions is known to but a few. We would like to help spread the word.

Accordingly, we are pleased to announce a new initiative: the BoardWalk Board Member of the Month. Starting today, we are inviting your nominations of nonprofit board members you know to have made a material lasting impact on an organization important to you or your community, however you define that community. Following review of your recommendations by a committee of peers, we will select one board member each month for special recognition.

For us, boards of directors are somewhat like quilts: The real impact of the individual components lies in their contribution to the whole. Therefore, we will recognize recipients with a small patchwork quilt specially designed for the purpose (such as the sample pictured above), as well as by public mention in venues appropriate to the cause.

The nominating process is simple and the rules few. Simply drop us an email with the name and contact information of the board member you are recommending, along with a few lines on why you think them worthy of consideration.

Note that our goal is to applaud the unsung heroes who are advancing the cause of excellence in board governance. We are not interested in hailing major donors or those whose accomplishments are dutifully acknowledged elsewhere. Rather, we want to recognize those board members who labor out of the limelight but who themselves are magnets for talent, sparks for imagination, and centers of excellence in their support of an organization and its mission.

Foundation for the Mid South names Ivye Allen as new CEO

After a comprehensive national search, the Foundation for the Mid South has named Ivye Allen to succeed George Penick as CEO of the only organization investing regionwide in people and strategies that build philanthropy and promote racial, social, and economic equity in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. BoardWalk Consulting was privileged to have advised the Foundation's search committee, led by former Mississippi Governor William Winter.

As noted in the Foundation's statement accessible by the link below, Dr. Allen currently serves as Chief Operating Officer for MDC, a nonprofit organization based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, that works to advance equity issues and opportunities in the American South. A native of Arkansas who spent much of her youth in Mississippi, Dr. Allen combines first-rate education (Howard, New York University, Hunter College and Columbia) with a life-long commitment to social justice.

New search:
CEO, The Harvest Foundation

The Harvest Foundation of Martinsville, Virginia, has retained BoardWalk Consulting to guide the search for a new CEO. A healthcare conversion foundation, Harvest is dedicated to making Martinsville / Henry County the residence of choice by enhancing opportunities and quality of life for all its citizens.

Harvest attracted substantial attention for its $50- million challenge grant to the State of Virginia backing a four-year college for the area. Additionally, the Foundation has invested many millions of dollars addressing local challenges in health, education, and welfare.

New search:
Executive Director, Alabama Historical Commission

Established to protect, preserve and interpret Alabama's historical sites, the Alabama Historical Commission is charged with identifying and maintaining the state's historical treasures. Unlike most state agencies, the AHC raises more than half its own funds.

BoardWalk was retained to handle the search just as this newsletter was being prepared. As soon as we meet with the relevant parties, we will prepare a full profile on the position.

Habitat for Humanity International
Search Mandate: Senior Vice President, US & Canada Operations
Status: Prospects being developed; inquiries welcome (view Leadership Profile)

Search Mandate: Vice President of Organizational Learning
Status: Search launched; write-up pending (request more info)

Hazelden Foundation
Search mandate: Senior Vice President, Minnesota region
Status: Client is interviewing prospects. (view Leadership Profile)

Presbyterian Church (USA)
Search mandate: Executive Director, General Assembly Council
Status: Prospects being developed; inquiries welcome (view Leadership Profile)

Southern Education Foundation
Search mandate: Senior Program Officer
Status: Prospects being developed; inquiries welcome (view Leadership Profile)

Tropics Foundation (American arm of CATIE)
Search mandate: Executive Director
Status: Offer is being negotiated. (view Leadership Profile)

Click on the pictures below to learn more about the consulting team at BoardWalk

Kim Anderson

Sam Pettway

Margaret Reiser