Self-Paced Nonprofit Program – Module 2

MODULE 2 – Shared Leadership: Board Chair and Executive Director

Effective nonprofits rely on strong shared leadership between the board and executive staff. This module reviews strategies to build a cohesive leadership team that increases board engagement while maintaining clear boundaries between governance and operations.

Participants learn how to recognize areas of overlap, define individual accountability, and foster a supportive leadership environment that strengthens decision-making and organizational trust.

Includes: leadership frameworks, accountability tools, and role-clarification resources.

My name is Nancy Heskin-Rakness, Director of Nonprofit Education for Strengthen ND. My background is 25 years with the Girl Scouts, two years as a troop leader and 23 years in the role of regional CEO. During that time, I gained national certification status by meeting the competencies of a nonprofit executive through application and testing. My career history also includes the following roles: district administrator, interim executive director, and human resources manager. Through the years, I attended well over one hundred educational conferences, and I kept track of what worked and made a positive impact. My aim is to share what I learned to support your efforts to increase the capacity and sustainability of your nonprofit.

Each module in Strengthen ND’s Nonprofit Certificate Program is designed to build practical leadership capacity through structured, self-paced online learning. Participants complete pre- and post-session confidence surveys, review curated resources, and download editable templates to apply directly within their organization. Course materials are accessible only through registration and cannot be edited online.