Dear ,     

My favorite definition of leadership comes from Dean Williams, a faculty member at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. He says, "Real leadership is the activity of mobilizing people to face reality." In this definition, leadership is an action (not a position) and "reality" is neutral (neither good or bad, just the facts to be examined). 

While there are lots of definitions of leadership, William's definition is particularly appropriate for managing through transition because it requires assessing, learning and mobilizing.

As the Maine Women's Fund successfully wraps up a five-year strategic plan and transitions executive leadership, we are exercising Williams' model. We've taking the opportunity to pause, reflect and examine our growth.

After talking with stakeholders across Maine and reviewing our strengths and the needs of our community, two realities became clear.

1. The Maine Women's Fund continues to be the only foundation solely focused on Maine women and girls.
2. In this time of economic downturn, when all Maine communities are impacted, our economic security initiative is more important than ever.  

As a result, the Fund has chosen several key strategic directions as the basis of the next five-year plan. We will...   

• Streamline activities and initiatives to sharpen attention on grantmaking and supporting grant partners.
• Continue growing regional communities of philanthropic leaders committed to Maine women and girls.
• Focus grantmaking on strategic areas that together advance economic security.
• Embark on a bold plan to increase assets to maximize resources for women and girls.

We know that when women thrive, communities prosper - that's why economic security is so important. As the Fund moves forward, we remain committed to our mission of investing in the power of women and the dreams of girls. 

This is exciting work, and there will be plenty for all of us to do. A strategic direction is the spirit of a plan, not the bones and flesh. The next five-year plan will be completed with a new Executive Director, who, with you, will be part of our community's growth. We look forward to posting for the Fund's Executive Director position later this month.

Regards,

Cathy