In December 2020, the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (MCN) announced the forthcoming retirement of founding and current executive director, Jon Pratt, and the commencement of a search process to identify the next visionary leader for the nation’s largest state associations of nonprofits.
MCN’s board of directors named a search committee to oversee the process, led by former board chair Kenza Hadj-Moussa, director of public affairs and communications at TakeAction Minnesota. In keeping with MCN’s strategic priority to advance equity and justice, the committee created a process to identify an executive recruitment firm with a strong commitment to equitable search practices. That process led to a partnership with Good Insight, a national firm headquartered in Washington, DC, that approaches executive search through an anti-racist lens.
“A planned transition from a founding executive director offers the chance for celebration, reflection, and new vision,” said Cameron Kruger, current MCN board chair. “Over the past 30 years, Jon has made invaluable contributions to the nonprofit sector that can be seen across Minnesota, as well as nationwide. We are committed to building upon MCN’s strong foundation, taking a thoughtful, strategic approach, and evaluating all the scenarios and options available for MCN to fulfill and expand upon its mission to serve the nonprofit sector.”
Over recent weeks, Good Insight has conducted surveys, listening sessions, and interviews with the search committee, MCN staff, and 22-person board of directors comprised of MCN members from across the state, and has facilitated a series of conversations about the findings.
Stakeholder engagement reveals some key attributes and priorities for MCN’s next leader include:
- A deep commitment to racial justice, equity, and inclusion, with experience taking bold action to advance these priorities internally and externally;
- A collaborative leadership style that recognizes and elevates the extraordinarily talented team of professionals at MCN; and
- Deep knowledge and commitment to advancing the nonprofit sector for the challenges and opportunities ahead.
“We are excited to move to the next step of the search process," said search committee chair Kenza Hadj-Moussa. "MCN stakeholders have identified the skills, experience, and acumen of the next executive director. They will bring passion for MCN’s mission, work collaboratively with an exceptionally talented staff team, and serve as an influential voice for Minnesota nonprofits, centering our strategic priority for advancing equity and justice.”
A formal job announcement will be posted soon. In the meantime, our community is invited to share personal interest in the role or refer potential candidates by emailing search consultants Carlyn Madden and Ginna Goodenow-Schirf at MinnesotaNonprofits@good-insight.org. The board of directors anticipates the new hire will join the MCN team no later than September 2021.
Read MCN’s announcement of Jon’s retirement here.
Kenza Hadj-Moussa, TakeAction Minnesota
Cameron Kruger, Duluth Children’s Museum
Karen Kroeder, CREST
Antonio Cardona, Project for Pride in Living
Milpha Blamo, Minneapolis Foundation
Thomas Adams, CommonBond
Theresa Gardella, Nexus
Daryl Yankee, Animal Allies