Cook Silverman Seeking New Leader for SAVE

July 31, 2020 – Greenbrae, CA-based Cook Silverman Search has been selected by SAVE (Safe Alternatives to Violent Environments) to lead its search for a new executive director. Victoria L. Silverman, co-founder of Cook Silverman, is heading the assignment.

The executive director works to achieve SAVE’s mission and ensure the organization’s continuing presence as a leader in the domestic violence movement, said Cook Silverman Search. Specifically, the incoming executive will ensure that SAVE’s fiscal, operations, fundraising, marketing, human resource, technology and programmatic strategies are effectively implemented across all segments of the organization. The executive director will be expected to uphold the core values of the agency and work to see that those values are reflected in all aspects of the agency.

In addition, the winning candidate will provide an opportunity for development and management of a professional and efficient organization, including establishing effective decision-making processes that will enable SAVE to achieve its long and short-term goals and objectives, the search firm said. The leader will also be charged with cultivating a strong and transparent working relationship with the board and ensuring open communication about the measurement of administration, financial, programmatic and impact performance against stated milestones and goals.

Qualifications

Five or more years of increasing leadership experience.

• Experience in social justice, equity work, and/or movement building is required.
• Prior non-profit experience and management of a multiprogram organization, preferred. Experience supporting and nurturing bottom up leadership desired.
• Excellent experience with innovative board development, fundraising, marketing/branding and fiscal management
• Must possess a deep understanding of trauma informed care and intersectionality.
• Demonstrated fundraising skills, including managing a major gift portfolio.
• Experience managing organizational or departmental budgets in excess of $1 million.
• Empathy, courage and determination needed to work in a social service agency.
• Forty-hour domestic violence certificate or willingness to earn credential.
• Strong financial savvy and politically active and astute leadership skills and passion.
• Ability to set clear priorities, delegate and guide investment in people and systems.
• Keen analytic, organization and problem-solving skills which support and enable sound decision making.

SAVE’s mission is to strengthen every individual and family it serves with the knowledge and support needed to break the cycle of domestic violence and build healthier lives. It was founded in 1976 as a grassroots organization by a group of Tri-Cities women who sought to provide support to victims of domestic violence. Today, SAVE serves thousands of individuals and families across all its programs each year. SAVE’s reputation is built upon not only its many years of quality service and firsts, but also its focus on recognizing the needs of those not served, creating strong, trusting partnerships and inclusiveness – all are welcome regardless of ethnicity, faith, gender identity, sexual orientation, language spoken, level of education, physical or developmental needs, and geographic location.

West Coast Non-Profit Recruiters

Cook Silverman Search focuses on senior development positions for not-for-profit organizations, predominantly in Northern California. Its client base represents a broad span of organizations, including independent schools, universities and faith-based organizations, as well as those serving conservation, health care, social service, museums, science and culture. The firm has placed advancement executives for Peninsula Family Service, Moreau Catholic High School, Children’s Council of San Francisco and Pinewood School, among others.

Ms. Silverman has more than 30 years of experience in the philanthropic sector. Throughout her career, she has worked in senior fundraising, advancement and management positions at Stanford University, Washington University in St. Louis, the University of California, the American Film Institute and the Buck Institute for Age Research, among others. Her search work focuses on higher education, the arts, biotech and environment sectors. She has been speaker for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education and has served on fundraising advisory committees for several non-profit organizations.

Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor  – Hunt Scanlon Media