Service
Executive Leadership & Counsel
Turning a plan or a decision into 90-day priorities, owners, and a review rhythm that holds.
You may be here because
“We have a plan or a decision in front of us and need experienced help carrying it out.”
What you do not need before we talk
- A defined project scope
- A long-term retainer
- Bringing the whole board into the conversation
The challenge
What this work addresses
Executive directors of nature-centered organizations occupy a particular kind of isolation. Difficult questions about board dynamics, staffing, finances, or personal sustainability cannot be raised with staff, and are not always safe to raise with the board.
Board chairs face the mirror image: responsibility for supporting and evaluating an executive, often without any prior governance experience and without a peer to consult.
Advisory work supplies what the org chart cannot — an experienced, discreet thinking partner who has held the executive seat and understands both sides of that table.
Outcomes
What the organization gains
Engagements are designed around results leadership can recognize and report.
- A 90-day priority set with named owners and dates, drawn from the plan you already have
- A simple dashboard and review rhythm the board and staff can sustain
- Accountability that survives the first busy season
- A confidential place to think clearly before deciding
- Better-prepared board meetings and more productive board–executive conversations
- Practical judgment on staffing, finance, program, and reputational questions
- Sustainable leadership habits and reduced isolation
- Faster, more confident onboarding for new executives
Deliverables
What is produced
- 90-day activation plan: priorities, owners, sequence, and dates
- Dashboard and indicator structure, sized to the staff who will maintain it
- Monthly or quarterly review rhythm: agenda, progress view, and reporting format for the board
- Scheduled confidential advisory sessions with the executive or board chair (optional)
- On-call counsel for time-sensitive decisions
- Board meeting and retreat preparation support
- First-year onboarding advisory for newly appointed executives
- Executive evaluation design and facilitation
- Difficult-conversation planning: personnel, board, funder, and community matters
- Leadership team coaching and structure review
Timing
When organizations reach out
- A newly appointed executive director is finding footing
- A board chair is preparing to lead the board for the first time
- A significant decision carries reputational or financial risk
- Board–executive tension is affecting the organization's work
- A long-tenured leader is planning their own transition
- Leadership feels isolated and needs a trusted external perspective
Process
How an engagement proceeds
Every engagement is scaled to the organization. The sequence, however, is consistent.
- 01
Establish
An initial conversation defines what has already been decided, what would genuinely help, how often to meet, and what stays confidential.
- 02
Meet
Regular sessions — typically monthly or twice monthly — focus on live decisions rather than abstract development.
- 03
Prepare
Between sessions, support is available for board materials, difficult conversations, and time-sensitive questions.
- 04
Review
The arrangement is reassessed periodically so it continues to earn its place.
Questions
Common questions
Related services
Frequently paired with
Governance & Board Effectiveness
Governance assessment, board development, and facilitation that clarify roles, sharpen committee structure, and strengthen the board–executive partnership.
View serviceExecutive Search & Transition
Advisory support through a leadership transition — readiness, board alignment, the next leader's mandate, success profile, search strategy and outreach, candidate evaluation and interviews, selection and references, onboarding, and succession planning. Assignments may be led directly or appropriately teamed with specialist recruiting partners.
View serviceStrategic Planning
Outcome-first strategic planning and retreat facilitation that defines the future the mission requires, works backward through the choices and capacities needed to reach it, and converts the plan into measurable 90-day action.
View serviceNot sure where to begin? Review the full range of services or see the organizations served.
Executive Counsel
Let's discuss whether this is the right starting point.
A 30-minute conversation clarifies what your organization needs — and whether this engagement is the best use of your resources right now.
Or reach Edward J. Sirianno directly at ed.sirianno@gmail.com · 518-526-5492