Mastering Capital Campaign Leadership: A CEO and Executive Director's Guide

In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns, co-hosts Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt dive deep into the critical role of CEOs and Executive Directors in leading successful capital campaigns. As the central figures, these leaders often feel overwhelmed by the complex, multi-faceted demands of a campaign, managing everything from program planning to board involvement, and campaign operations. Amy and Andrea break down the key challenges that arise when the heads of organizations try to juggle all these responsibilities, likening the experience to taming a multi-headed beast. They share insights on how to structure a campaign leadership team, ensuring that the board, development staff, and campaign chair collaborate seamlessly. The episode offers practical advice on how to unify these moving parts into a cohesive strategy, smoothing out communication gaps and empowering every stakeholder to play their role effectively. Listeners will learn how to create and sustain a "core committee" to drive campaign leadership, strategies for keeping all parties in lockstep, and how to prevent the typical pitfalls that occur when campaign leaders feel isolated or overburdened. Amy and Andrea also explore real-life examples from their CEO roundtable sessions, including stories of campaigns undergoing rapid organizational growth and the importance of clear communication during times of disruption. If you're an executive director or CEO navigating the complexities of a capital campaign, this episode provides expert guidance on how to lead with confidence, streamline operations, and build strong leadership teams. Plus, gain actionable tips on fostering productive relationships with your board and campaign volunteers, and discover the importance of regular leadership team meetings for addressing roadblocks before they derail your campaign. Tune in to learn how to transform your role as the campaign's chief communicator into one that promotes collaboration, engagement, and ultimately, campaign success! To see if your organization is truly ready for a capital campaign, download this free Readiness Assessment. This guide will help you evaluate six aspects of your organization, including your leadership and your case for support.