For boards: offering a sabbatical to a long-tenured ED is one of the most cost-effective retention investments you can make — and far less expensive than an executive search.
The Challenge
Maybe your ED has been running hard for years and you can see the edges fraying. Maybe you want to offer sabbaticals as a retention tool before you lose someone you can’t afford to lose. Or maybe your executive is ready for a sabbatical and you have no idea how to cover the role while they’re gone. Any of those is a good reason to be on this page.The Process
For organizations building a sabbatical program: We’ll review your current retention and engagement practices, then design a policy that fits your org’s size, budget, and culture — including eligibility, length, expectations, and re-entry.
For organizations that need coverage: Kim can serve as interim executive director during the sabbatical, keeping operations stable and staff supported so your leader comes back to an organization that hasn’t drifted while they were gone.
The Results
For organizations: a retention tool that actually works, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing your team can take a real break without the org holding its breath.
For the executive taking the sabbatical: they come back. Rested, recommitted, and ready — which is the whole point.
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No obligation — just a conversation about where you are and whether we're the right fit to help.