Leadership transitions are inherently challenging for nonprofit organizations, but Third Sector Company views them as opportunities for strategic growth. Through the trained interim leaders it provides to nonprofits, it facilitates a positive pivot in the organization’s ability to impact communities.
They act as ‘agents of change,’ tackling systemic issues like racism and bias, identifying barriers and initiating meaningful reforms. They optimize operations and address deeper issues like board engagement and community outreach. Meeting immediate needs while aligning actions with future goals, Third Sector Company’s interim leaders drive transformational change, attracting new leaders ready to commit for the long term.
“We often hear people say they got so much more than expected because they didn’t just get a person. They benefitted from a methodical and coordinated process to take them where they wanted to go,” says Jeffrey R. Wilcox, CEO.
When they work with nonprofit organizations, Third Sector Company interim executives create a structured environment where transformation can take place. Organizations undergo a process of change that can be likened to alchemy, where the existing elements—their mission, staff, board and the community they serve—are brought together to shape a clear vision for the next phase of service to the community. For those needing to adapt to societal changes, this facilitates a smooth transition, guiding staff and volunteers to redefine the organization’s role in an evolving world.
The Power of Interim Executives
The transformational approach is built on a structured strategy, consisting of 13 protocols, a six-step process, and the identification of five key interventions, with the goal of building consensus on the organization’s future direction. The powerful, comprehensive and purposeful model is designed specifically to drive change during a short period and provides support throughout the entire engagement.
We are here to truly elevate an organization’s ability to serve the community because serving the community is the common thread that unites us all
“We don’t just place someone and walk away. We’re in it for the entire duration of the engagement,” says Joan Brown, acting chief operating officer.
Third Sector Company remains fully engaged, offering ongoing support to the interim leaders, the board and the organization to ensure the process is successful. That success is not measured by the impact made during the interim period, but by the fact that the nonprofit client ultimately hires a permanent leader who is excited to take the reins and remains committed to the mission.
No brochure, advertisement, or press release can effectively convey the value of Third Sector Company’s approach. Real proof comes from clients who, after witnessing the positive change brought by an interim leader, spread the word about the company’s unique capability to guide organizations through transformation.
One example came during a particularly harrowing time in U.S. history.
Rebecca Lane, an interim executive director placed by Third Sector Company, had been serving for about a month as the interim leader at an early childhood education center in Seattle, when the Robb Elementary School mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, occurred. The tragedy deeply affected the staff, primarily young Latinx women with families similar to those targeted in the attack. The center, serving a Latinx community, closed that day to allow families to regroup. Lane brought in a trauma specialist to support staff recovery. Her fresh perspective as an interim leader enabled quick intervention, sparking essential conversations about school violence and child safety.
“We are here to truly elevate an organization’s ability to serve the community because serving the community is the common thread that unites us all,” says Lane.
Pioneering Interim Leadership
From its inception, Third Sector Company has been a pioneer in presenting interim leadership as a continual learning process. Introducing new ideas and strategies, it has consistently adapted and evolved to meet the changing needs of interim leaders and social purpose organizations.
It created the one-of-a-kind Interim Executives Academy, which has become the national standard for training in organizational transition in the United States. It also developed the first peer mentoring and coaching model for interim executives. Recognizing the loss of passion that typically accompanies leadership changes, it provides a steady supply of human passion, matching interim executives who share a genuine enthusiasm for the client’s mission and prossess with the skills needed to lead organizational change.
Following a national conference it led that explored current trends affecting interim executive management, Third Sector Company launched the inaugural State of the Interim Profession Report, which identified six significant trends impacting the sector.
Beyond training and reporting, Third Sector Company has also cultivated a strong community among interim executives; a network that ensures no interim stands alone, providing a supportive environment that extends beyond formal training and mentoring. It brings together interim professionals from across the country to discuss issues affecting the profession.
Its Board Chairs Academy offers specialized training and consultation for nonprofit boards as part of the interim engagement. This resource equips board chairs with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively guide their organizations during transitions. Over the past couple of years, the company has further evolved beyond the traditional interim chief executive roles and now offers training, placement and support for interim chief development and chief operating officer positions.
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We often hear people say they got so much more than expected because they didn’t just get a person. They benefitted from a methodical and coordinated process to take them where they wanted to go
While its services are comprehensive, Third Sector Company understands that it cannot cover every aspect of a nonprofit’s operations. To address this, it supports its interim leaders by connecting them with additional experts, such as HR firms, accounting firms, or employment lawyers, to enhance their leadership effectiveness and address common hurdles.
A 2023 survey by Third Sector Company revealed that human resources is the primary challenge for interim leaders in nonprofits, where HR roles are often underrepresented. To address this issue, it plans to connect skilled HR professionals with nonprofits in the coming months to support interim leaders and enhance organizational effectiveness.
At its core, Third Sector Company’s mission is to capitalize on transitions to inspire growth and transformation. Integrating a strategic process with deeply personalized leadership support doesn’t just guide nonprofits through uncertainty—it helps them reimagine their futures.
