Master Strategic Navigation
Create Breakthrough Organizational RESULTS
It's Lonely at the top
Discover the Advisor Who's Trusted by LEADERS Around the World
every challenge is an opportunity
Exploit the POTENTIAL of Your Organization
FOR LEADERS
David Kushner is a recognized and trusted advisor to CEOs and C-suite leaders, in good times and during crises. Benefit from his experienced, practical, authentic approach to guiding founders and executives through high-stakes decisions and pivotal moments.
FOR BOARDS
The right strategic direction often starts with the ideal governance structure. David Kushner works with corporate, educational, nonprofit, and association leadership teams to assemble, restructure, train, and inspire governing boards for strategic deliberations and outstanding organizational results.
FOR ORGANIZATIONS
Known by clients as “the organizational risk assessor,” David Kushner assists with asset acquisitions, mergers, governance restructures, organizational crisis or disruption, strategic deliberation, leadership meetings and retreats, mediation and conflict resolution, and more.
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Years of Leadership Expertise
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High-Stakes Projects Completed
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Satisfied Clients
RECENT ACHIEVEMENTS
A Sampling of David’s Work
The consulting engagements taken on by David Kushner are as diverse and dynamic as the organizations and people he serves. With deep expertise in healthcare, environmental and biological sciences, nonprofits and membership associations, and certification programs for various professions, David helps organizations improve performance, careers, and lives. Below is a sample of signature projects and recent results.
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing
SENIOR LEADERSHIP COACHING
Advisor and coach to the CEO and senior management team, oversight of several re-organizations, and facilitation of staff retreats.
The American Forest Foundation
ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE MANAGEMENT
Advisor to the President and Board, and key external management consultant during the selection of a new partner to assume responsibility for a significant education program sponsored by the Foundation.
Catholic Charities of Washington, DC
SUCCESSION PLANNING
Strategic planning, Board retreat, and leadership counsel during the creation of a comprehensive succession planning process for senior leadership for this multi-jurisdiction charitable organization with nearly 1,000 employees and thousands of volunteers.
The American Chemical Society
LARGE-SCALE RESTRUCTURING
Executive advisement, planning, and strategic services during the restructuring of the entire Membership and Society Services Division at the world’s largest scientific society — with more than 158,000 members across 140+ countries.
CASE STUDY
The Secret to Merger Magic
Wondering when, how, and why to engage an advisor with a merger or alliance process? Here, we share our actionable advice and key insights learned through David Kushner’s significant and lengthy involvement in the creation of a very successful alliance between two associations in the regional telecommunications industry.
Areas of Practice
For organizations on the cusp of something big or in the midst of something messy, it can be hard to know where to start. David Kushner’s clients typically begin their institutional turnarounds or organizational evolutions by first engaging with David in one or more of the following key areas of collaborative work.
Executive Coaching & Advisory Services
Benefit from experienced and candid perspectives about how to lead more effectively, manage internal politics, improve personal performance, grow your managers, collaborate with your governance bodies, resolve conflict, and generate sustainable, profitable growth.
Organizational Assessment & Restructuring
Own success at every turn. Approach cultural assessments, restructuring, and even mergers with a trusted partner who provides personalized, confidential, experience-based advice and counsel. Tackle turnarounds or major change in a way that achieves your goals, saves time and money, and reduces overall stress factors that accompany change.
Strategic Deliberation & Exploration
Chart pathways forward (for the next 12-18 months and beyond), exploring new programs, building or enhancing strategic partner relationships, launching new business units, or undertaking other critical activities. More than “strategic planning,” strategic deliberation takes CEOs, Boards, and leadership teams into the conversations that can ignite opportunity and results.
Mediation & Conflict Resolution
Resolve problems with other organizations, improve relationships with a chapter or region, or end disputes between internal departments or divisions, and among staff, Board members, and committee members. Count on David for his calm demeanor and his superb question-asking ability, drawing out key issues and areas of potential consensus.
MEANINGFUL DIFFERENCE
Why David Kushner?
One of the only true “organizational risk assessors,” deal makers, and leadership experts available for on-demand, high-stakes consultation and coaching, David helps create clarity and smooth operations at companies and organizations that have grown too fast, gotten messy, or bitten off more than they can chew.
MARKET-LEADING CLIENTS
Who Chooses David Kushner?
From the largest and most complex membership organizations in the world — to industry-leading corporations and universities — to scientific, technical, and professional societies — to certification and credentialing programs — David is called upon by top leaders at organizations built to serve, innovate, and enable progress for the masses.
SERIOUS EXPERTISE
What Has David Kushner Accomplished?
David’s clients know that when an initiative is complex, large, high-stakes, or unprecedented, David will deliver. When legacy organizations with names like “National (or International) Association of …” or “Global Society of …” or “The Foundation for …” come up against massive challenges or opportunities, they call David because his record of achievements for their peers and competitors precedes him.
THE PROOF IS IN THE RELATIONSHIPS
What People Say
"I have had the pleasure of working with David on several projects where we had clients in common. We have worked on association mergers and consolidations. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend David (and I do) for any nonprofit organization that needs a governance consultant to assist them in updating their governance structure, deal with a transition in management, or facilitate a board retreat or strategic planning process. David has been on staff at associations and he has served on nonprofit boards, so he gets it. He is also extremely patient and able to bring any board discussion back into focus to get the job done. I only wish we had more projects to work on together."
Eileen Johnson
Partner
Whiteford, Taylor & Preston LLP
"David Kushner has tremendous depth of experience as a CEO, which I value (he has sat in our chair!) and he has provided tremendously good counsel to both the Board and myself outside of the specific engagement. A real pro! It's so important to find the right facilitator who will be a good partner with you and is the right fit for the Board so they are engaged, trust the process and have the opportunity to add value."
Jeff Shields, FASAE, CAE
President and CEO
National Business Officers Association
"I strongly recommend David Kushner because of his extensive experience working with nonprofit boards as well as mergers/acquisitions within the nonprofit sphere. I have worked with him directly on a number of different projects, and think very highly of him (as do our volunteer leaders)."
Kate Fryer
Executive Vice President
American Chemical Society
"While the challenges of unification seemed daunting in the midst of discussions about governance changes and culture shifts, once the unification was complete, the inclusion of new member companies went very smoothly and created new energy and excitement for our entire leadership team. The results on the public policy side made all of the hard work worthwhile. Having one voice on Capitol Hill and at federal agencies has allowed us to move more quickly and increased our effectiveness."
Shirley Bloomfield
CEO
NTCA - The Rural Broadband Association
Insights Worth Sharing
You don’t have to be a current client to benefit from David’s perspectives and proven advice. Check out one of his most popular blogs below or click “View Blog” to search for articles on hot topics of interest and impact to you and your organization.
Have You Considered Working with an Executive Advisor or Coach?
Even the best leaders need a trusted advisor. Learn more about how an executive-level advisor can help you and your organization.
Being Thoughtful About Governance Changes
An organization's strategy is only as powerful as the people implementing it. Learn more about the role that governance structures play in driving effectiveness to help move organizations forward.
Featured Case Study: The Secret to Merger Magic
Wondering when, how and why to engage an advisor to help with a merger or alliance process? Read this case study.
Get In Touch
Every Great Relationship Starts With Hello
It would be David’s pleasure to meet you and his honor to help your organization evolve, improve, and succeed. Give him a call, drop him a line, or complete the contact form on the right so he can learn more about your goals and needs. Partner with David Kushner and, together, you can turn business needs into business results.
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Impactful Advice for High-Stakes Leaders
Subscribe to David Kushner’s blog and newsletter for no-cost advice for senior leaders … on everything from the politics of management (and the management of internal politics) to how to work effectively with Boards, managers, front-line employees, regulators, partners, and more in changing and challenging times.