129: How to Retain Talent Through a Dynamic Nonprofit Organization (Keith Fishburne)

129: How to Retain Talent Through a Dynamic Nonprofit Organization (Keith Fishburne)

SUMMARY

Are you struggling as a nonprofit leader to retain your best talent?  Keith Fishburne, whose career spans over 30 years at Special Olympics North Carolina, shares his best practices to recognize, develop, and ultimately retain quality employees. Many of Keith’s senior staff have been with him for over a decade, unheard of in the nonprofit sector. The experiences we discuss in episode #129 of the Path Podcast will help you build and maintain stronger relationships between nonprofit leadership, staff, your board, and those all-important volunteers. Hear initiatives to improve equity and diversity in your organization. Cultivating the powerful connection between mission and passion will elevate your nonprofit organization.

ABOUT KEITH

Keith Fishburne, president and CEO of Special Olympics North Carolina since May 1997, is responsible for overall management of the organization, which serves nearly 40,000 registered athletes statewide, supported by a $6.5 million budget, a staff of 28, and more than 40,000 volunteers.  He was a member of the Board of Directors and executive committee for the 1999 Special Olympics World Summer Games, which brought more than 7,000 athletes from over 150 countries worldwide to North Carolina for 10 days of competition and events. He’s also served as chairman of the Special Olympics United States Leadership Council (USLC), a leadership body dedicated to the strategic quality growth of Special Olympics programming throughout the country. He has been recognized for his leadership and dedication to the community beyond Special Olympics, having received the William C. Friday Excellence in Leadership and Service Award for significant contributions to the betterment of the human condition presented by the Park Scholars of NC State University, Class of 2010. In 2020, he was named to the North Carolina Sports Leadership Council of the NC Sports Association, joining sports leaders across North Carolina in serving as a collective voice on issues impacting the sports event industry. He’s currently a member of the Special Olympics USLC, and chair of the SOI Integrated Direct Marketing Program. He is also a member of the USLC Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Task Force and the Return to Activities Task Force as part of the Special Olympics response to the pandemic.

EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCES 

• Dan Pallotta’s book Uncharitable: How Restraints on Nonprofits Undermine Their Potential
• Learn more about a Special Olympics program near you
• Check out Jim Taylor’s episode #120 Is Your Nonprofit Board Leading with Intent?
• Ready for a Mastermind?  Apply Today!