Durham Children's Initiative

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT: INTERIM MANAGEMENT

Armstrong McGuire partnered with Durham Children’s Initiative (DCI) to provide interim executive leadership and guide the board and staff through a strategic restructuring, identifying a new permanent Executive Director, recalibrating programs and services, and preparing for a new era of service.

Case Study

Challenge

DCI faced an executive transition which presented an opportunity for the board to contemplate its future as a solo organization or to consider a collaboration to strengthen its program delivery.

We found opportunities to help through:
Leadership Development
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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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  • DCI restructured operations successfully, identifying and onboarding a new permanent Executive Director and preparing for future impact.
  • Staff felt valued and included.
  • Stakeholders were kept informed and engaged throughout the process.
  • Successful stabilization of operations during executive transition.
  • Cost benefit analysis of various operational scenarios for the board’s consideration.
  • Recalibration of mission, vision, and values for the restructured entity.
  • Support for rebranding and communications activities.
  • Coaching and support for the permanent Executive Director.
  • Leadership continuity through the merger process.
Case Study

Results

Case Study

Approach

Certified Interim Executive Michael Seaman worked closely with the board and staff to determine the best organizational structure for the long-term sustainability of DCI.

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"I would immediately contact Armstrong McGuire for an external interim if I did this again. Michael’s character, objective perspective, and leadership skills were exactly what we needed to successfully restructure the organization. He immediately built trust and accomplished more than was expected!"

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Evan Sitton

Evan Sitton
Board Chair

When Interim Executive Michael Seaman joined DCI, he stabilized the operations and worked with the board to evaluate multiple organizational structures by conducting cost-benefit analyses for four scenarios based on maintaining a solo presence, merging or consolidation. This analysis provided the board with data-driven insights to inform their decision, focusing on both mission and financial sustainability.

As the board leaned toward a restructuring, Michael developed a comprehensive strategy and transition timeline, outlining essential milestones for future operations, building a new culture, and managing key events. This ensured a smooth, transparent transition for staff, stakeholders, and the community.

Together new and existing staff engaged in strategic planning to refresh the mission and values of the newly restructured organization, identify key priorities, and facilitate rebranding efforts. Michael also provided coaching and transition support for the new permanent Executive Director, who was previously a director for a partner organization.

Case Study

Execution

Our expertise in these fields led us to success.
Interim Executive Management
Strategic Planning
Services

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