We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Leon Seemann. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Leon below.
Leon, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
As an industry, Interim Leadership for non-profits is one of the least known essential services. Senior leadership transitions are a particularly vulnerable point in every non-profits lifespan. It is a fluid and complex situation that may lead to unexpected outcomes. More often than not, the first person hired is not the right fit for the organization. Which extends the instability for months.
The goal of the interim industry is to stabilize the organization, assess the needs of the organization, advise them on the structure of the permanent solution, and train the permanent hire.
I got into this work because I love working with non-profits (Being doing it 25 years and counting). It makes me use all my skills including Finance, operations, Fundraising, and HR. I prefer roller coasters to merry go rounds, and I keep focused on the current challenges with an awareness of the long-term implications.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My specialty is helping non-profits through senior staff transitions. Primarily coming in as the Interim Finance, Operations or Executive Officer.
In hindsight, I’ve been doing this my whole career, starting in College by reinvigorating the Jewish Students Association and my first job out of college, where I reorganized the Finance Department of a $30M nonprofit.
I think it’s a fit for my personality as I have a strong preference for Roller Coasters over Merry go Round.
I’m the proud father of 4 with the puns to prove it. I spent the pandemic learning to be a long-distance runner and how to be a better spouse and friend. Every situation has a correct hat and he strives to bring joy into work every day. I believe when we all get to be our full selves, we get the best results.
I also believes in sharing with the broader community, by serving on boards, volunteering and coaching youth sports.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
I’ve had to pivot twice in my Career.
In 2007, I’d spent my entire career in professional Theatre.
I also had a 2 year old daughter that I hadn’t gotten to spend time with. Theatre is a never ending obligation.
So, I shifted to my first “fix it” position at a more 9 to 5ish nonprofit. I helped guide them from being 3 organizations with 1 paycheck into One integrated nonprofit.
The second time was after Covid.
I was completely burned out having been pulled back into the theatre world 5 years prior. I was running a children’s theatre and theatre academy in a time when people couldn’t be together in one space. Keeping them alive and leaving them in a position to relaunch took everything out of me.
I jumped not knowing what I was going to get into and ended up focusing on Senior Staff transitions as a consultant. I’ve been relatively successful for a 2 year old business.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
Referrals, Referrals and Referrals.
The nature of my work is on-demand services. So, there is no real way to advertise it.
I spend all my extra time networking with a focus on individuals who spend significant time with Nonprofits.
When someone runs into a problem, they usually confide in their “coffee buddy” first. If that Coffee Buddy knows about me, then they help save the day by referring me.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.consultwithleon.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonseemann/