What We’re Working on this Quarter
Whole Organization Work: Strategy + Search
OE recently completed a year-long collaboration with the Mind & Life Institute, co-founded by the Dalai Lama, focusing on applying rigorous scientific methods to understand the mind and foster compassion globally.
This partnership involved creating the conditions for fundamental structural reorganization, the development of a new, long term strategy, and the placement of Suzanne Bond as the new President. OE Principal Arthur Combs was grateful to be able to travel to India with the Dalai Lama Fellows, a program hosted by University of Virginia’s Contemplative Sciences Center, the University of Colorado’s Renée Crown Wellness Institute, and Stanford University. As part of this visit, Suzanne, was introduced to His Holiness the Dalai Lama as the new President of an organization he helped to found more than three decades ago. Suzanne, in addition to her other leadership qualities, is a highly experienced global strategist. She is now leading Mind and Life’s board of directors to finalize a multi-year strategic plan.
University of Virginia, Contemplative Sciences Center (CSC)
Our work with the CSC mirrors our approach with MLI. We are fortunate to be working with an extraordinary advisory board, a talented and sensible search committee, and Interim Executive Director Martin Davidson. Subsequently, we facilitated the design of a new organizational structure, crafted a long-term strategic plan, and are currently conducting an executive search for the Center’s permanent Executive Director.
Executive Search
Namchak Foundation
OE is continuing its transformative work in building the leadership team of our long term client, the Namchak Foundation, in what is now our fifth distinct executive search for the organization. The newest opportunity is for a General Manager for the Namchak Retreat Ranch, who will be responsible for an 8900 acre property and a complex set of interlocking functions, including land management, permaculture development, conservation, ranch operations, and hospitality.
LightEn Foundation
OE has completed several leadership searches in the UK and in the US on behalf of LightEn, a new multi-national philanthropy focused on non-denominational spiritual education, growth, and transformation. Among the positions we have recruited for: Managing Director Global, Chief Administrative Officer UK, and Chief Legal Officer UK. We are currently conducting additional director level searches for the Foundation.
Center for Independent Living, Berkeley
We have recently placed Dr. Victor Santiago Pineda as the new Executive Director of the Center for Independent Living, Berkeley, the world’s first disability civil rights agency. This was an exhaustive national search for a multi talented leader who also has deep expertise in independent living issues.
Strategy
Renée Crown Wellness Institute at the University of Colorado, Boulder
OE has recently completed a long term strategy process with the Renée Crown Wellness Institute at University of Colorado, Boulder. This already highly functional organization was a pleasure to work with in that we were able to focus on deep issues of impact, rather than mitigations.
City Ventures
We recently launched an engagement with City Ventures to restore Oakland’s historic Beaux Arts architectural masterpiece, the 16th Street Railway Station. In the initial phase, we are assessing the feasibility of philanthropic and civic funding to support the redevelopment for the benefit of the community.
Custom Collaborative
In spring 2024, OE renewed its strategy work with the sustainable fashion enterprise Custom Collaborative, finalist for 2023 .ORG Impact Awards and member of New Profit’s 2024 Catalyzing Economic Mobility Cohort.
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