For the successful nonprofit executive, letting go of a fulfilling leadership position can feel both exciting and risky. For most, the dream of no administrative responsibilities or fundraising pressures looks quite appealing. For many, and particularly for founders and long-term executives and organization builders, the big questions are:

1. Will life be as interesting and rewarding?
2. Will I enjoy not being in charge?

This issue of the Leadership Guide focuses on these questions and invites two successful long-term executives to describe life after founding or leading an organization for many years. These interviews are part of a 2011 series of articles on this and other topics of interest to founders, long-term executives and those who work with them.

For more on resources about these transitions and issues, see chapters 2 and 3 of The Nonprofit Leadership Transition and Development Guide or our TransitionGuides website.

Founders and long-term executives may want to attend the upcoming  

Next Steps workshop to learn the value and importance of personal and organizational succession planning with peer executives who have the same struggles and questions about letting go when considering their possible transition within the next 5 years. For more information go to Next Steps.  

TransitionGuides had the privilege of interviewing founders and long-term executives who have successfully transitioned from their organizations. We hope sharing their stories, packed with their initial anxieties, preparation and life-after executive leadership is encouraging to those who may be thinking about leaving and to those who are in the process of leaving their organizations. Enjoy!     

Sandy Dang Founder and Former Executive Director of Asian-American LEAD

Sandy Dang served as the Founder and Former Executive Director of Asian-American LEAD for 13 years. Asian American LEAD is the leading community organization that provides educational enrichment and youth development programs to underserved Asian American youth in the Washington, DC, Metropolitan Area.    

Six years ago, Sandy Dang attended the

Next Steps workshop and learned of ways to prepare herself and her organization for her transition. She gained insight and encouragement from executive peers across the nation, who attended the workshop and confidentially discussed many of the same anxieties and struggles which she was experiencing when thinking about leaving her organization. After the workshop, Sandy began preparing her Board of Directors a year in advance of her transition. She took a two month sabbatical from the organization and didn't check emails, respond to phone calls and was completely untapped from the organization. "This allowed the Board of Directors time to evaluate the organization without my influence," said Sandy. This proved to be a great way for her, the Board of Directors and the organization as a whole to see that Asian American LEAD could survive without Sandy being there. Sandy said, "I wanted to grow an organization that was strong enough to do it without me, and I am very happy Asian American LEAD can do that."

What has Sandy been up to since her transition? 

Prior to transitioning three years ago, Sandy and her husband talked about the impact of her leaving the organization and the importance of preparing financially so she could take a year to focus on what she wanted to do and how she would accomplish it. During that year, Sandy spent time writing, reflecting on life and traveling to Southeast Asia, Cambodia, Vietnam and Hong Kong. She also traveled to Israel, while pursuing her Master's in Public Administration at Harvard University in 2010. She now works as a consultant to the Casey Family Programs, serves as a board member of the National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development, and is a member of the WETA Advisory Board. 

What advice would she like to share with other executives?

It is important to know that there is never a perfect time to leave. You have to trust that you built a solid organization with a strong foundation and when it is time to leave, you can feel confident that "you have done your best, and that's the best you can do." Although things will come up in the organization that may cause you to doubt if your time to leave is the best decision, or there might be something you want to do or wish you could do before you depart, remember, "you don't own the organization, it will all work out and it will grow without you."

Sandy advises, "Allow yourself to feel lost, wondering where you are and asking yourself what you're doing? Allow yourself to feel scared. Know that it is not easy facing the fear of not knowing what's next for you, but with a little faith and time, things will work out for the best and you will become a stronger person." Take a realistic look at your finances. Prepare yourself financially so you can take your time to find your next passion before feeling rushed into something for the sake of finances.  

Robert "Bob" McMahon Former Executive Director SCO Family of Services

Robert "Bob" McMahon served at SCO Family of Services as the Executive Director for 38 years. SCO Family of Services works with New York's most vulnerable families to provide the support and tools needed for a stable, healthy, and successful future. For more than 100 years, SCO has responded to moments of crisis and prevented crises before they occurred with a comprehensive array of services to individuals and families in New York City and Long Island.

In 2002, Bob volunteered to drive Sister Mary Paul Janchill, former Executive Director of Center for Family Life, to the Next Steps workshop because she was "slow of foot" and required assistance. As he listened as an observer and read the materials, he wanted to be a part of the energy, the group discussions and dialogue so much, that he came back to the Next Steps workshop in 2007. "As a participant, I was able to benefit from personally being in a room with executive peers from other states talking about concerns that were similar to my concerns without feeling uncomfortable, but relaxed and encouraged," said Bob. After the workshop, Bob and his board began working on sustainability planning, strategic planning, bench strength, succession planning and transition planning. SCO Family of Services was a strong organization with a $200 million operating budget, and with the successful completion of the re-accreditation and strategic planning, the time to transition became more apparent. To ensure a smooth transition, Bob had weekly hone calls with the new executive for eight weeks prior to her start date to inform, guide and acclimate her to the position. For one month after the transition and as a part of a consulting agreement with the organization, Bob provided one-hour phone consultations with the new executive.

Prior to transitioning, Bob and his wife purchased a vacation home in the  Saratoga area where they would spend their weekends. Bob and his wife now live in the home and, because it's closer to Albany than the SCO Family of Services office, Bob makes himself available to represent the organization in the Saratoga/Albany area when necessary. Although Bob stays active on state association boards and other agencies in an effort to keep in touch with the field, he does get some time to do things that he didn't have a chance to do while working as an executive director. Bob enjoys a daily exercise routine, lifts weights and "spins" in a spin-cycling class which contributes to making him more physically fit and a more sound sleeper. Bob took an adult education course at the Academy for Lifelong Learning and Emerging Trends on the American Revolution and found it especially interesting since he lives in the Battle of Saratoga area. Bob enjoyed cross-country skiing this winter, has created enchanting memories with his grandchildren at Disney World, and looks forward to more traveling with his family, and giving his daughter away in marriage this summer. Bob said, "I recently attended the annual SCO Family of Services Staff Recognition Dinner as a retiree. It was great to see and touch-base with the staff again." 

Bob commented on the reality of no longer having a secretary to assist him with scheduling appointments, making customer service calls, keeping passwords, and sending emails. This reality forced him to face the challenge of doing things on his own, while also realizing that it requires a lot of patience and a lot more time than he ever imagined. In becoming more independent in daily living, Bob stays in touch with the news, reads books to keep his mind sharp, strengthens himself spiritually and tries new things as they come along. Bob purchased an iPad so he can stay connected and informed. In addition to staying connected and accepting consulting agreements to stay in touch with the sector, he says, "This is the time when you do the things you couldn't do. So, as long as I have my health, I want to do the things I enjoy, while I am able to do them. I'm having fun, finding new interests and making new friends."