Navigating Continuity: A Case Study on Nonprofit Leadership Transition

Abstract

Transitioning power in an organization can take many shapes and there are even more ways the process can go awry. If a transition of power lacks structure, information can be lost, and programs can suffer. At First Steps, a nonprofit organization that helps adults with disabilities navigate early adulthood, their recent leadership transition led to numerous problems within the organization. This case will explore the decisions the board members of First Steps made for their organization and the effects. The main themes of this case center on succession planning, organizational culture, and crucial decision-making. Students will analyze where the root of the issues began and consider the decisions of the board in each step.