The Moran Company Tapped by Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise to Lead CEO Search

September 9, 2024 – The non-profit sector is appealing because it offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on important social issues and contribute to positive change in communities, according to executive recruiters. Additionally, working in this sector often fosters a strong sense of purpose and personal fulfillment by aligning your career with your values and passions. This has led to high growth in the sector calling for new senior leaders. The Moran Company, an executive recruitment firm that specializes in the non-profit sector, was recently called in by Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise (CNE) to lead in its search for a new president and CEO. Senior search consultant Mike English is leading the assignment.

CNE is looking for a visionary leader to oversee the strategic direction and operational success of the organization and its two subsidiaries, providing overall leadership, setting long-term goals, and ensuring alignment across all entities. This includes fostering collaboration while maintaining the distinct identity and strengths of each subsidiary. The CEO will lead multiple strategic and capacity-building projects in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.

The CEO will be responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with the City of Chattanooga and other public sector entities to identify grant opportunities and public/private partnerships. Additionally, the CEO will work to maintain strong connections with various foundations to secure grants and funding opportunities, while also engaging with high-net-worth individuals and potential donors, fostering lasting relationships that lead to major gifts.

CNE is seeking candidates with a compelling combination of experience and skills that will meet the challenges and opportunities inherent in this position. The Moran Company offers a few traits of the ideal leader for CNE:

• A Strategic Visionary: Possesses exceptional strategic thinking skills, the ability to assess and mitigate risk, and a proven track record of developing and implementing successful organizational initiatives.
• An Effective Communicator: Possesses exceptional written and oral communication skills, including active listening and the ability to represent the organization in various settings. Adept at advocating for policies that benefit underserved communities.
• A Collaborative Leader: Experienced in collaborating with senior staff, board members, and external stakeholders to achieve shared objectives. Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills, the ability to build consensus, and a commitment to transparency and accountability.
• An Experienced Leader: With at least 10 years of senior-level leadership experience in an organization with a budget of at least $2 million, demonstrating a proven track record in strategic planning, financial management, and project execution.

Related: The Moran Company Assists National Ski Patrol with CEO Search

• A Community-Focused Champion: Extensive experience building relationships and working effectively with diverse community partners, including local government agencies, resident groups, community-based organizations, businesses, and funders. Demonstrates a deep understanding of the needs and challenges facing Chattanooga’s neighborhoods.
• A Financial Steward: Strong business acumen, including a proven track record of securing funding from diverse sources (philanthropic, corporate, and public) and ensuring the organization’s long-term financial health and sustainability.
• A Real Estate Development Expert: Demonstrated experience in real estate development, with a focus on affordable housing, mixed-use projects, or neighborhood revitalization initiatives.
• A Culturally Competent Leader: Demonstrates emotional intelligence, cultural humility, and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

CNE invests in developing affordable and mixed-income housing on vacant or blighted lots. They empower residents to become community leaders – advocating for positive change. It’s programs promote wealth-building through homeownership, financial literacy, and small-dollar loans. By offering affordable rental options, financial counseling, and home improvement resources, CNE helps families achieve stability and financial security.

Non-Profit Consultants

The Moran Company, based in Leawood, KS, specializes in searches for non-profit leadership, including executive directors, fundraising/development directors, hospital foundation directors, and other senior executives. Bill Moran founded the search firm in 1996. He has worked on more than 70 non-profit searches. He brings a rare combination to the search sector having spent 10 years as senior fundraising staff and 12 years as a successful fundraising consultant serving more than 100 clients.

Mr. English, vice president for search strategies, joined The Moran Company in 2020. He previously served as inaugural executive director of Turn the Page KC, a reading proficiency organization for third graders, for whom he still consults. Before that, he was president and CEO of the Missouri Council on Economic Education, based at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. The organization promotes and conducts economic and financial education in all Missouri schools. Mr. English was also a senior analyst for the Kauffman Foundation, which aspires “to eliminate barriers so that every person – regardless of their background – can take risks, achieve success and give back to their communities.” His earliest work experience involved managing the Pittsburgh Urban Magnet Project, a non-profit dedicated to promoting civic and community engagement for young professionals.

Related: The Moran Company Recruits New Leader for Ronald McDonald House Charities

Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor  – Hunt Scanlon Media