Talbott Blog
What Boards Must Do Before Starting an Executive Search
By the time the board chair called, the transition was already off track.
The executive director had given notice. The board rushed to post the role. The staff were nervous. Donors were asking questions no one felt ready to answer.
On paper, they were “in process.” In reality, they were stuck.
Hiring and supporting the executive director or CEO is the single most important job your board will ever do. A smooth executive transition requires preparation, clarity, and honest decisions about what your board can handle on its own.
Tauhric Brown Joins Bauer Family Resources as CEO
We’re thrilled to share that Tauhric Brown joined Bauer Family Resources as CEO this fall.
He brings more than 35 years of cross-sector leadership experience and a deep commitment to systems change, strategic growth, and mission-driven innovation.
Top Interview Questions for Nonprofit Development Roles
Hiring for development is different. Development staff directly impact donor trust, fundraising pipelines, and revenue. A strong hire can deepen relationships and sustain momentum, while a poor hire can damage connections that took years to build and create costly turnover. Interviews are the best chance to see beyond a polished resume to how a candidate thinks and builds lasting donor relationships.
Agape Therapeutic Riding Resources Names Denisse Jensen as Executive Director
Agape Therapeutic Riding Resources has announced Denisse Jensen as its next Executive Director. Denisse brings more than two decades of leadership experience in nonprofit operations, strategic growth, and stakeholder engagement, with a track record of growing mission-driven programs and fostering inclusive community support.
A Board Member's Guide to Executive Search
A successful board executive search shapes your organization’s future. Talbott Talent’s guide offers practical steps to lead transitions confidently, from defining leadership needs and building a strong search committee to engaging top candidates and planning onboarding. Prepare your board to turn leadership change into growth, not risk. Don’t leave your organization’s future to chance.
7 Key Lessons Every Business Leader Should Learn from a Fellow Central Indiana CEO
Last week, I came across a LinkedIn post by Leslie Bailey, the founder of Indy Maven. She shared some powerful insights on the lessons she learned when she had to close Maven Space, her coworking and event space. While Leslie's focus was on her own experience, I found myself reflecting on how much of what she said applies to anyone running a business, especially in the nonprofit world.
Here are a few key takeaways from Leslie’s post that really stood out to me.
5 Hiring Mistakes Nonprofits Make (and How to Avoid Them)
Even mission-driven organizations make hiring harder than it needs to be. In today’s talent market, a slow or unclear process, vague questions, or outdated expectations can cause top candidates to walk away. This post breaks down five of the most common mistakes nonprofits make when hiring, from overloading candidates with take-home projects to clinging to outdated job profiles and offers straightforward fixes. If you’re ready to build a smarter, more equitable hiring process, this one’s worth a read.
Near East Area Renewal Names Emily Scott as Executive Director
Near East Area Renewal has named Emily Scott as its next Executive Director. With a background in nonprofit leadership and public service, Emily brings a strong track record in community development, workforce strategy, and cross-sector collaboration. She will officially begin her new role on May 12.
What’s in a Title? More Than You Might Think
Titles Aren’t Just Labels. They’re Signals. I hear it all the time from candidates and clients alike: "I don’t really care about titles."
And while I understand the instinct behind that, I actually think we should care. Not because we’re chasing status, but because titles communicate authority, clarify expectations, and shape how a role fits into the bigger picture of the organization.
Your title gives people around you, both internally and externally, clues about the way you operate.
A strong title doesn’t inflate someone’s ego. It aligns perception with reality.
Questions to Ask in an Interview in 2025
If you’re still opening interviews with “Where do you see yourself in five years?”, it might be time to rethink your approach. At Talbott Talent, we work with nonprofit leaders who want real insight—not vague hypotheticals.
Behavioral-based questions don’t just check boxes. They reveal how someone thinks, solves problems, and learns from experience. It’s one of the simplest, most effective upgrades any hiring process can make.
What Happens When You Don’t Let People Lead
A leader doesn’t need to raise their voice to lose their team. In this post, we share a real story about how one leader’s need for control slowly undermined initiative, trust, and performance. Micromanagement didn’t just slow down the work—it changed how people showed up. If you’ve ever second-guessed whether to step in or step back, this one’s worth a read.
The Cost of a Bad Hire: How a Misstep in Recruiting Can Cost More than Money
Here’s the truth: when a nonprofit hires the wrong person, the cost isn’t only financial.
We’ve seen it affect team morale, donor confidence, and service delivery. We've seen trust erode—between staff and leadership, between boards and executives, between the organization and the communities they serve.
We’re Asking Leaders the Wrong Questions
Here’s the problem: We ask nonprofit CEOs, executives, and board members to predict how they’d act in a tough situation instead of looking at how they’ve actually handled challenges before. But leadership isn’t theoretical. Leadership is what you do when you’re in the seat.
From “I Hate People: to a People-First Approach in Life
Fast forward to today, and I run a people-first business. I spend my days talking with nonprofit leaders, helping them build strong teams and make important decisions, and investing in relationships that truly matter. And if you asked most people who know me, they’d probably say, Leah’s a people person.
Why Your Nonprofit Might Need an Interim Executive
Leadership transitions are pivotal moments that can make or break a nonprofit’s momentum. An interim executive provides the stability, expertise, and clarity needed during these times.
Happy 8th Birthday, Talbott Talent!
Eight years ago, Talbott Talent was born from a season of challenge and transformation. In this milestone reflection, our Chief Executive Officer, Leah York, shares the deeply personal story behind our founding, the lessons learned along the way, and the commitment to nonprofits that has guided us from day one.