The CEO and the Board: The Art of Nonprofit Governance as a Competitive Advantage

by Kurt Senske

During the past few years, the roles of nonprofit, university and foundation leaders and board members has become more complex. Heightened competition, tighter margins, COVID-19, the explosion of technology, culture wars, and challenges in recruiting and retaining talented staff, has created an environment where change is the only constant.

The CEO and the Board: The Art of Nonprofit Governance as a Competitive Advantage provides a roadmap that will guide boards and senior leadership teams to openly examine and adapt its governance model so that it is tailored to drive organizational missional success. Dr. Senske offers the results of his research, including several common expectations that must be met, including addressing the elephants in the room, focused strategic planning, culture, skills, passion, purposeful succession, and integrity.

The author, Dr. Kurt Senske, is the Founder and Principal of CEO-Board Services. He previously served as the CEO of Upbring (formerly Lutheran Social Services of the South). His extensive board services include serving as Chair of Thrivent Financial as well as Lutheran Hour Ministries. Dr. Senske offers the results of his own research and experience, to help leaders and their boards openly examine and adapt its governance model to create a competitive advantage designed to drive organizational missional success.

146 pages, Paperback

Published April 13, 2023

About the author

Dr. Kurt Senske is the author of five books including The CEO and the Board: The Art of Nonprofit Governance as a Competitive Advantage. Dr. Senske is the Founder and Principal of CEO-Board Services, a consulting firm that specializes in helping nonprofit organizations in the areas of governance, strategic planning, and CEO succession. Prior to that he served as CEO for 23 years of Upbring, a multistate social services organization with an annual operating budget of over $100 million. Dr. Senske has served on eleven boards of directors including as Chair of Thrivent Financial, a Fortune 500 company, and Lutheran Hour Ministries with offices in 36 countries. Dr. Senske is a highly sought after speaker and often appears as a commentator on television, radio, and podcasts as well as a guest columnist for magazines and newspapers. Kurt and his wife Laurie are the proud parents of daughter Sydney and son in law Cody and reside in Austin, Texas.

Reviews

[Martha Van Buskirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this award-winning book, author Kurt Senske has given a generous, thoughtful, and timely gift to the nonprofit world. His governance counsel, informed by decades of leadership and experience, shares specific guidance, lessons learned, encouragement, and a compelling case for proactive Board work in a changing, chaotic culture. Best of all, this guidance is anchored in ethics and eager for mission success. Highly recommend!

[Steven Goodwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr Senske has contributed an often overlooked but none important relationship in nonprofit governance, namely how the CEO or Executive Director is to relate to their organization’s board. This book is chock full of wisdom and hard-won insights for boards and CEOs alike. I highly recommend all nonprofits read and discuss this book!

[Nickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read for board members and executives. Great motivation to be the best and use God's gifts for the betterment of all.