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Interim Executive Director
& Interim CEO Solutions

Turning your crisis into an opportunity to transform your nonprofit
or social enterprise into a high-performing organization.

Meet Jim

Jim provides executive leadership for your nonprofit or social enterprise. He acts as an interim executive director or interim CEO, strengthening funding streams, redesigning your business model, improving the culture, and streamlining operations.

Jim Rettew Interim CEO

Services

Interim Executive Director / Interim CEO

Jim provides interim executive leadership for nonprofits or social enterprises during times of transition such as the sudden departure of your CEO or financial turmoil. Jim doesn't just ensure that your organization continues to operate smoothly, but uses the crisis to institute major positive change.

Crisis Management

Jim steps in to immediately stop the financial or cultural bleeding, triaging priorities, making hard decisions, and setting the organization back on a pathway to success. Having worked for an international PR firm and as a chief communication officer for the Red Cross, he is also schooled in crisis communications.

Organizational Development

“Never waste a good crisis.” Transitions may be hard, but during crises, organizations are malleable. Jim helps them emerge stronger, more fiscally sound, and with higher levels of clarity and optimism.

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Strategic
Alignment

Jim has led strategic plans for major nonprofits and local governments including GRIP, Impact Hub, and the cities of Hayward, West Sacramento, and Santa Rosa. He not only co-creates plans with key stakeholders, but he helps align the entire organization to achieve the vision. 

NonProfit Executive Search

Executive search firms can charge over $70,000 to do one search. After hiring dozens of executives in multiple organizations, Jim can bring that same fortitude, insight, and wisdom to your search.

Downtown Streets Team Jim Rettew Interim CEO

Case Study

$17M Budget
300 Staff
20 Cities

Downtown Streets Team

01

Solidified Financial Stability

Transitioned from cash flow and debt issues to consistent month-over-month positive income and a new asset-based loan mechanism.  Moved all financial data in-house, shorting reporting from months to weeks. Reduced aging accounts receivables by 90 percent.

03

Improved Culture

Initiated "ask me anything" town hall meetings to increase transparency. Oversaw new performance management system to increase communication between managers and staff while enforcing accountability and providing a basis for promotions. 

02

Supercharged Funding

Won $7M in new contracts. Signed major new programmatic initiatives with numerous municipalities and the State of California. Increased year-over-year revenues almost 20 percent. Devised a new process to renegotiate our government contracts with a COLA increase.

04

Redesigned Business Model

Using design thinking, worked with 10 directors to revise our core programmatic offerings to maintain effectiveness but increase legal compliance.

NOTE:  All of this was done jointly in collaboration with an incredibly talented group of staff who are extremely good and committed to what they do.

Why Interim?

Interims are skilled in navigating transitions.

Every crisis represents an opportunity to change your organization for the better. To achieve that potential, you need someone who can quickly assess and upgrade everything from finances, operations, and culture. Temperament is critical. You need a leader to be the calm center within a fierce storm.

 

After seven interim leadership roles, Jim understands the unique challenges facing organizations and has the skills and expertise to help them succeed. He is part of a larger team of experienced professionals who have served as executive directors, CEOs, and board members.

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Jim's Impact

20+

Years of Experience

$17M+

Budget

15+

Organizations

Served

300

Staff Size

Clients

Jim has worked with a variety of nonprofits and social enterprises including homelessness, the environment, education, and the arts. He is experienced in working with boards, foundations, major donors, corporations, and service providers.

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Yerba Buena 

Center for the Arts

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Downtown

Streets Team

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Greater Richmond Interfaith Council

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Impact Hub

San Francisco

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Environmental Volunteers

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Slide Ranch

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Downtown Streets Team San Francisco City Hall Jim Rettew Interim CEO
“Jim approaches the transition chief executive role as an opportunity for the organization to grow and make foundational changes. He brings energy and dedication to the effort. We came out of the transition stronger and ready to continue our healthy evolution.”

Elaine Wood, Board Chair, DST

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