Council for Children’s Rights

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT: SUCCESSION PLANNING

Armstrong McGuire partnered with Council for Children’s Rights to provide interim executive leadership and guide the board through a strategic sunset of the organization during a period of significant financial and operational challenges.

Case Study

Challenge

CFCR faced declining revenue, loss of key grants, and unsustainable program costs, leading to the need for decisive leadership and a thoughtful transition plan. Two of the agency’s three programs had been forced to close and the third remaining program needed a viable path forward.

We found opportunities to help through:
Organizational Development
Heart and vision start the mission. Effective operations sustain it. When strategy, people, finances, systems and culture are aligned around a clear roadmap, your impact can grow with purpose. Armstrong McGuire brings strategic clarity and alignment to help your mission thrive.
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Leadership Development
Strong leadership shapes everything. Whether you’re recruiting top talent, managing a transition, strengthening staff culture, or engaging your board more effectively, Armstrong McGuire helps you build leadership capacity with clarity and confidence.
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  • CFCR sunset with integrity, honoring its mission and impact on children’s rights in Charlotte.
  • Stakeholders were kept informed and engaged throughout the process.
  • Successful transition of executive leadership to Karen Parker as Interim Executive Director.
  • Collaborative board engagement in decision-making and communications.
  • Transition of the Education Law Program to the Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy 
  • Transparent communication with staff, clients, stakeholders and funders.
Case Study

Results

Case Study

Approach

Interim Executive Karen Parker worked closely with board leadership to assess the situation and researched options to transfer the Education Law Program to another nonprofit so clients could continue to be served. She stewarded relationships with key funders and navigated communications regarding leadership transition and program changes while supporting staff. Karen partnered with Ascend Nonprofit Solutions for HR, IT, and finance management during the transition and ensured a proper facility closure, transfer of agency assets and compliance with federal and state legal requirements for nonprofit closure.

"The Council for Children's Rights is grateful for our engagement with Armstrong McGuire during this critical transition year. Karen Parker stepped in to serve as Interim Executive Director ensuring we continued operating effectively while she assessed agency and program viability. Following Karen's thorough assessment, we decided that the best path forward would be an acquisition of our Education Law Program by Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy. Karen worked with both organizations to ensure a smooth transfer of staff, client records, and other agency assets. She led efforts to close our physical office and ensure we complied with all legal mandates and best practices for a successful sunset. We appreciate the expertise and partnership of Armstrong McGuire and would highly recommend their services for any organization considering a merger or acquisition."

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Rich McPherson

Rich McPherson
Board President

Interim Executive Karen Parker led the organization through a strategic evaluation of programs and finances, resulting in a decision to sunset CFCR. She facilitated open and transparent discussions with stakeholders, including funders, partner organizations, and staff, managing the responsible closure of programs, ensuring continuity for active cases and support for impacted staff. She also supported the board in communicating the transition to the community and honoring the legacy of CFCR.

Lessons Learned:

  • Clear, compassionate communication is critical during organizational transitions.
  • Interim leadership provides stability and expertise in navigating complex decisions.
  • Board engagement and collaboration are essential for successful transitions.
Case Study

Execution

Our expertise in these fields led us to success.
Interim Executive Management
Succession Planning
Team Leads

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Our experienced advisors have held roles that span the nonprofit spectrum—so we understand what it's like to be in your shoes.

Karen Parker

Senior Advisor
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