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Nonprofit Interim Executives

Value of an Interim Executive Director

An interim executive helps during a leadership transition by stepping into the role, working with boards and team members to assess the organization's state, collaboratively intervening in areas of difficulty and preparing the organization time for the permanent successor to lead.  


The Interim CEO can provide a strong link in your succession plan, build stability, encourage team members and support the executive search while continuing the smooth delivery of service to the community. 


Our professional interim executives offer several benefits, including:


  • Experienced leadership for day-to-day operations.
  • Review of the current health of the organization's programs and policies to set benchmarks for success in the interim period and beyond. 
  • Defining the organization's needs and what to search for in the permanent hire. Welcoming the new executive with a working knowledge of the organization and a roadmap to success from Day One. 
  • Access to a financial health check-up through our professional network of consultants.


Contact us now about your leadership vacancy or learn more about what an interim executive director brings to nonprofit leadership below.

Contact Us

I was very skeptical about hiring an interim executive director but they were a fantastic leader and exactly what we needed. I also appreciated the engagement and support from Third Sector Company.


Jeremy Pepper, Board of United Way of Amarillo & Canyon, TX

AWARD-WINNING SERVICE

The recognition by Manage HR Magazine reflects over two decades of dedicated community leadership helping interim executives from a variety of backgrounds create intersectionality between the business models of nonprofit organizations with a methodical process for strategic transitional leadership.

Interim Executive Experience

This interview from the Third Sector Company's Interim Executives Academy dives deep into how interim executives bring strategic expertise, stability, and operational resilience to nonprofit organizations during critical transitions. 


Nonprofit leader and interim executive director, Erick Seelbach, shares experience with the Academy that shaped and benefitted her latest interim engagement.   

Download PDF to Share with Your Team

Recent Interim Engagements

Interim Executive Values

Interim executive ready to lead nonprofit with purpose

Interim Management is Purposeful

The entire goal of a transition leader is to advance an organization’s community purpose.


"Our interim cared deeply about the organization and its success and handled a lot for us." Arun Baheti, Board Member of Program for Torture Victims, Los Angeles, CA

Interim executives leading nonprofit

Interim Management is Transformational

Interim CEOs foster processes and structures that support people to build new capacities to make their own best decisions to further evolve the cause.


"Our interim was just what FishWise needed at its moment of crisis. She brought strong Executive Director skills to the board, the leadership team, and the organization as a whole. But more than her 'hard skills', she brought the 'soft skills' that were even more important. She has a unique combination of sincere empathy, a commitment to listen deeply, and a willingness to collaborate with strong personalities to find a path forward." George Leonard, PhD, Board Chair of FishWise, Santa Cruz, CA

Interim leadership process in group discussion

Interim Management is Methodical

Demonstrating well-defined leadership processes that are evidence-based and measurement-oriented is a core principle of an interim leader.


"We walked them through creating a new budget, outsourcing their financial management and developing financial transparency. Finally, we set them up to apply for state and federal grants! And we raised money while we were in process." Arthur Padilla, Interim Executive of Peace Community Center, Tacoma, WA 

Group discussion of interim executives.

Interim Management is Profound

Interim executives can build authentic diversity, inclusion, equity and access by identifying and addressing preconceptions that exist in an organization’s culture through shared learning and awareness.


 "I feel truly blessed to have been connected with our Interim ED, and this connection wouldn't have been possible without Third Sector Company. I also learned so much from the Board Chairs Academy."  Victoria Gazulis, Board Member of Challenge Day, Concord, CA 

Third Sector Company Teaches ... 6 Phases, 13 Protocols, 6 Interventions

Interim Executives Academy

Every Third Sector Company interim candidate receives comprehensive interim executive training through Interim Executives Academy, a 6-week program that teaches seasoned nonprofit executives to follow a methodical transition management process. 


  1. The Engagement Phase
  2. The Diagnostic Phase
  3. The Planning Phase
  4. The Alignment Phase
  5. The Transformation Phase
  6. The Transition Phase 


Academy graduates will also have access to mentorship and coaching through our leadership community of interim professionals. 

United Way Next Alliance

United Way Next and Interim Executives Academy are working in alliance to create a pipeline of highly trained Interims CEOs who as former United Way executives can provide interim placement and support services to local United Ways experiencing a transition in CEO leadership. 


There are 37 former or current United Way executives that have graduated from Interim Executives Academy. This collective:


  • Brings experience leading 56 United Way communities in 26 states.
  • Convenes quarterly to remain current on leadership practices and innovations, and the United Way movement and network. 


Doug Yeiser is a United Way Next Member and Academy Graduate, serving as Interim CEO, United Way in San Luis Obispo. Learn more about the partnership of United Way Next and Interim Executives Academy.

Video Resources

Why Hire an Interim Nonprofit Executive?

Jeffrey R. Wilcox, President & CEO, presents the common issues that nonprofits face when executive leaders transition out of their roles and the strategic benefits of an interim executive director. 

How Do We Train Interim Nonprofit Executives?

Interim Executives Academy represents nearly two decades of Third Sector Company’s experiences in developing, testing, and refining interim management tools, service protocols, leadership models, and training curricula to support interim leaders of community impact organizations, associations, and congregations. 

Interviewing an Interim

Jeffrey R. Wilcox, President & CEO, presents an overview of how to conduct a good interview for an interim executive director to help a nonprofit organization in transition. 

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