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Case Study: How an Interim CEO Transformed the Tourette Association of America During a Leadership Transition
SITUATION: Sudden CEO Depature + Demoralized Staff
ORGANIZATION: National Nonprofit (Advocacy)
EXECUTIVE DEPLOYED: Interim CEO
KEY RESULTS:
• Immediate Stability: Restored leadership during a executive transition.
• Project Success: Developed a strategic action plan for the incoming permanent CEO.
• Scalability: Implemented systems, procedures, and operational priorities to support future growth.
• Team Morale: Improved alignment across staff, board members, and donors around the organization’s direction.
BACKGROUND: The Tourette Association of America was facing a period of uncertainty following the departure of its CEO.
The Tourette Association of America is a nonprofit organization that started in 1972. When InterimExecs became involved, the organization was facing a period of uncertainty following the departure of its CEO. Staff morale had declined, operations were unsettled, and many employees were unsure about the future of the organization.
Board leadership recognized the need to stabilize the organization quickly and put it on a path toward transformation and growth.
THE CHALLENGE: What organizational challenges signaled the need for an Interim CEO?
The Tourette Association of America was experiencing significant disruption after the CEO’s exit. The organization was in flux, staff morale was low, and operations lacked clarity and direction.
Board members described an environment in which employees were uncertain about their job security and the future of the organization.
At the same time, the nonprofit needed to move forward with transformation initiatives and establish a sustainable path for growth while preparing for new long-term leadership.
What: The Tourette Association of America is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by Tourette Syndrome and Tic Disorders. Founded in 1972, it works to raise awareness, advance research for cures and treatments, provide education, and offer support through community, advocacy, and a network of medical specialists.
INDUSTRY: Advocacy Nonprofit
ROLE: Interim CEO
LOCATION: United States
“Staff members were wondering if they would have a job in six months. It was a little frightening for them.”
– Rovena Shirling, board member of Tourette Association of America
SOLUTION: How the InterimExecs RED Team deployed an Interim CEO to set the right foundation.
InterimExecs deployed RED Team member and Interim CEO Michelle Barnes to step in and lead the organization through the transition.
Drawing on experience leading nonprofit organizations through growth phases, she worked with the board and team to implement the organization’s vision and strengthen operations.
Key initiatives included:
- Developing a strategic plan and operating priorities
- Improving systems and internal processes
- Focusing on revenue generation and long-term sustainability
- Preparing the organization for the arrival of a permanent CEO
These efforts helped establish alignment across staff, donors, and leadership while creating a clear roadmap for the organization’s future.
“An interim executive can be an incredibly quick study… improve the function of the organization.”
— Randi Zemsky, Government Relations Committee Chair, Tourette Association of America
Results
- Stabilized the organization during a leadership transition.
- Implemented systems, procedures, and operational priorities to support future growth.
- Developed a strategic action plan for the incoming permanent CEO.
- Improved alignment across staff, board members, and donors around the organization’s direction.
- Positioned the Tourette Association of America for continued transformation and future success.
“The new CEO walked into an action plan that they could implement that all the stars were already aligned behind. The staff was motivated, our donors had bought into it, we had organizational metrics in place, the board supported it and it was a path to continue the transformation and the turnaround.”
– Michelle Barnes, Interim CEO
FAQs
Q: What are the benefits of a RED Team Interim CEO for a nonprofit?
A: An Interim CEO (or Fractional CEO if engaged on a part-time basis) can be onsite in as little as 48 hours to provide immediate expertise during leadership gaps or transitions, such as periods of rapid growth or organizational turnarounds. They lead the management team in defining a future vision and implementing the scalable processes and systems required to prepare the organization for a permanent hire. There is no need to wait months to recruit, hire, and onboard a permanent CEO.
Q: How should a nonprofit manage a CEO resignation?
A: Effective communication between the board and the management team is essential. While a plan for a permanent replacement is developed, deploying an Interim CEO from the InterimExecs RED Team provides immediate stability and continuity. This breathing room allows the board to identify internal gaps and better define the specific skills needed for the next full-time hire.
Q: How long is a typical Interim CEO assignment within a nonprofit organization?
A: A typical nonprofit Interim CEO assignment runs 4 to 6 months if the primary goal is to maintain stability during a permanent executive search. However, the timeline often extends to 9 months or longer if the organization is undergoing a major transformation, such as a technology transformation, a strategic pivot, or a recovery from a leadership crisis. A true interim leader remains until specific objectives are met and then executes a clean handoff to a permanent replacement.
To learn how to stabilize and scale your nonprofit organization contact InterimExecs here or call
+1 (847) 849-2800 for a confidential discussion.
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