LEADERSHIP PROFILE President & CEO Lutheran Services of Georgia Atlanta, Georgia To provide Georgia's communities with services and programs that support stability and self-sufficiency for individuals and families. --LSG mission THE OPPORTUNITY Lutheran Service organizations positively impact one in 50 American lives each year. Lutheran Services of Georgia (LSG) provides vital services that help people manage and overcome life s challenges and live better lives. LSG has seven locations throughout the State. Founded in 1981, LSG is a $13 million organization grounded in Lutheran values. Each year, LSG serves thousands of individuals and families with programs that include specialized foster care, refugee and immigration services, services for people with developmental, physical and intellectual disabilities, adoption, and family intervention services. This is a time of transition and opportunity for LSG. The agency has emerged from a time of leadership change and financial challenge. LSG is stable and focused on the future. The new CEO will lead the organization and dedicated staff to its next level of contribution, in partnership with a committed Board and Lutheran community partners. The CEO has a compelling mandate: to increase LSG s effectiveness and impact by: Providing inspiring, strategic leadership and vision. Growing and diversifying LSG s resources. Focusing and elevating LSG s brand and programs. Being a great manager of people, programs and the business.
Page 2 of 6 LSG seeks to increase its program impact, and to grow resources. The organization aspires to develop a more diversified funding base that includes more support from individuals and congregations, as well as from foundations, corporations and governmental grants. LSG seeks to enhance its differentiated program offerings, including specialized foster care for special needs children, refugee services and services to individuals with disabilities. Challenges include the reality that community needs are growing, but government funding is not. LSG is challenged to sharpen its brand identity and program agenda while diversifying and increasing private support. Building engaged, closer relationships with Lutheran congregations, as well as with other current and potential supporters, is a high priority. Following the departure of LSG s long-serving CEO in 2013, the organization hired a new CEO who departed within two years. At the Board s request, COO Gary Johnstone stepped up in 2015 to serve as Interim CEO, and has stabilized the organization while maintaining forward movement. THE ORGANIZATION Finding, strengthening and creating homes. --LSG s program approach and impact. For 35 years, LSG has promoted programs that enhance the stability, wellness, health, and safety of individuals and families across Georgia. LSG seeks to strengthen and offer solutions for people in need, through its programs in seven locations from Atlanta to Augusta to Savannah. Since its founding as a tiny nonprofit, LSG has grown to a $13 million organization that has positively impacted the lives of more than 100,000 individuals. Headquartered in Atlanta, LSG has a team of over 150 staff professionals comprising a mobile statewide workforce. LSG manages diverse programs including refugee resettlement and related services, FACES (a residential program for individuals with developmental disabilities), specialized foster care, family intervention services and disaster relief. The organization serves close to 5,000 individuals annually, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender or religion. LSG s specialty foster care services are unique and impactful. LSG is known for successful placement of children and youth with unique circumstances in families equipped to offer specialized care. This includes children with special
Page 3 of 6 needs, such as autism, developmental disabilities or medical fragility. LSG has uncommon expertise in these higher needs placements, facilitated by a rigorous foster parent training program. LSG serves under the auspices of the Southeastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Florida/Georgia District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS). Partners include United Way, the Georgia Department for Human Services, Wheat Ridge Ministries and the Protecting Safe and Stable Families Network as well as other Georgia-based nonprofits. LSG is a member of Lutheran Services of America. In its most recent fiscal year, LSG raised $13 million through governmental and other sources. LSG FY15 Revenues & Expenses ($13 million+) Contri butions 3% In-Ki nd 1% Revenues Program Service Fees, 1% Expenses, Resource Development, 3% Expenses, Management & Admin., 14% Expenses Grants Contracts, 95% Grants Contracts Contributions In-Kind Program Service Fees Expenses, Program Services, 83% Program Services Resource Development Management & Admin. LSG Vision and Goals Guiding Vision: Restored Hope, Transformed Lives, Healthy Tomorrows. Goals: 1. Provide high quality services and programs that meet the needs of individuals and families. 2. Create awareness of our name and mission throughout Georgia in order to expand our service delivery area. 3. Increase revenue by at least 3% annually in order to carry out our mission. 4. Create and maintain organizational management protocols that allow us to function in the most efficient and effective manner. For more about Lutheran Services of Georgia, go to www.lsga.org.
Page 4 of 6 THE RESPONSIBILITIES The new CEO will be a dynamic, experienced leader with management and fundraising acumen, and passion for social service ministry in the Lutheran tradition. The CEO will lead LSG forward, uniting the staff and elevating the organization s profile, programmatic impact and resources. The CEO will: 1. Be an inspiring, visionary servant leader. The CEO will be a strategist and big-picture leader who unites, empowers and inspires people around a clear, positive vision and plan. The CEO will focus on elevating program and organizational impact, and will work effectively with the Board and staff. The CEO will lead and align LSG for greater impact and efficiency, and will align LSG with community needs and funding. The CEO will be an energizing role model who brings out the best in others. 2. Grow and diversify support. The CEO will be a compelling spokesperson, fundraiser and relationship builder on behalf of LSG s mission. He or she will project a vision and persona that inspires the Board, staff, volunteers, funders, Lutheran congregations and donors to support LSG s mission. By better connecting LSG with the Lutheran world, and with governmental and private funders of all kinds, the CEO will diversify LSG resources and grow the organization, in partnership with staff and the Board. 3. Elevate LSG s visibility, reputation and brand. The CEO will be the credible, visible face of LSG, persuasive in contexts that include media interviews, meetings of all kinds and public speaking. The CEO will be skilled at branding, marketing and raising visibility, and will lead the organization to clarify its brand and market its unique assets and services. She or he will engage and build relationships throughout the Lutheran and broader community. The CEO will become known as the trusted leader of LSG a sought-after presence, collaborator and respected force for good. 4. Be a proven manager of people and the business. The CEO will be a compassionate, inspiring leader who builds trust, unites the team and inspires high performance and commitment. The CEO will be a systems thinker and strategist, comfortable with technology and able to lead change. He or she will have financial acumen and a record of attracting, developing and retaining talent. The CEO will value the positive aspects of LSG s culture, and will enhance shared vision, values, collaboration and achievement.
Page 5 of 6 5. Inspire program innovation. The CEO will have the experience and vision to drive program excellence and evolution consistent with evolving social service and donor priorities. By focusing and benchmarking LSG s programs, the CEO will make LSG the go-to agency for differentiated offerings, and a highly respected leader in the Georgia nonprofit community. Under the CEO s leadership, LSG will focus, clarify and enhance its offerings through innovation and evaluation. LSG s program mix will reach new levels of impact and funding. 6. Deepen relationships with the Lutheran church and family. The CEO will value and foster positive, productive relationships with Lutheran congregations and individuals across Georgia. She or he will work well with the Synod and District leadership. By deepening its outreach, presenting LSG as a mission partner and identifying synergies, the CEO will inspire new relationships, participation and support. PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS The ideal candidate is a visionary leader with passion for social service ministry in the Lutheran tradition and the ability to drive impact and growth. The CEO will have an informed commitment to the work of LSG. The CEO will have personal assets that include: Being self-aware, self-confident and mission centered an authentic leader who connects with the families and communities LSG serves. Experience leading high-performing teams and organizations. Management skills and financial acumen. High emotional intelligence, listening, communication and relationship building skills. Ability and desire to be a compelling ambassador for LSG, and to extend the organization s external presence. A compelling, energizing and persuasive personality. A great team builder and people manager, who unites and integrates the organization, and who builds openness, trust and connection. Ability to find balance and synergy between programs and fundraising. A naturally calm, reassuring presence and sense of optimism. Openness and a natural tendency toward improving and adapting to a changing environment. A positive, can-do attitude and sense of humor.
Page 6 of 6 THE RELATIONSHIPS The CEO reports to the LSG Board of Directors. He or she will lead a team of 150+ in seven locations. The CEO reports to: Direct reports include: Other key relationships include: Board of Directors Chief Operating Officer Vice President, Development Vice President, Finance Southeastern Synod and FL/GA District LSG Boards and volunteers Community leaders, partners and stakeholders of all kinds LSG current and potential clients Current and potential individual, corporate, governmental and foundation donors. THE LOCATION The main LSG office is in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. Atlanta and its surrounding communities are home to over five million residents and the world s busiest airport. There are seven LSG locations across the State. Georgia hosts numerous major institutions of higher learning, Fortune 500 companies, and some of the world s most significant public-benefit and nonprofit organizations. To apply or suggest a prospective candidate, Email LSG@boardwalkconsulting.com or call Kathy Bremer or Laura DiBacco at 404-262-7392.