How can leaders of social impact organizations build equitable pipelines of leadership to sustain their missions? That is our central question this week as Carrie Fox sits down with Christina Greenberg, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of diversity-focused talent management firm Edgility Consulting. It’s a question that begs us to examine all our best practices for succession planning and talent development to ensure organizations stay true to their values over time.
When most organizations start planning for succession, it is often too late, Greenberg explains. Succession planning must start years in advance with strategic talent management - identifying core competencies for roles at every level and systematically developing staff. Just as we plan for communications risk scenarios, leaders should have multiple potential successors identified by giving them concrete experiences to demonstrate readiness. With an intentional focus on competency gaps and development areas, organizations can build diverse benches of potential leadership.
How can social impact organizations close skills gaps in order to nurture well-rounded leaders? Where are potential successors today, and what experiences do they need to get them ready? How can succession planning apply to all levels? True succession planning requires looking beyond ego to the future health of the institution and its social mission. As Greenberg says, “What I would just tell people about this process is it’s hard and daunting and scary, but just take it in bite-sized pieces."
We just scratch the surface of Christina’s expertise in nonprofit succession planning and talent development. The bottom line: building an equitable leadership plan for the long term requires leading with values first, and letting the right people with the right skills rise to meet them. Our great thanks to Christina and Edgility Consulting for their partnership in this conversation!
- (00:00) - Welcome to Mission Forward
- (00:34) - Introducing Christina Greenberg
- (10:16) - The Boomerang CEO
- (18:03) - Succession
- (25:02) - What are the Next Steps?
- (28:11) - A final note of Hope
- (29:28) - Sponsor: Edgility Consulting
Today's show is brought to you by Edgility Consulting, your compass for building equitable organizations where all staff thrive. Their talent management experts empower you to break free from traditional hiring, compensation, and talent management norms that often perpetuate inequality and prevent you from hiring and retaining great staff.
Put your values to work, act on equity, visit
Edgility Consulting and talk to a consultant about upgrading your talent systems to attract and retain top talent and ensure equity at your organization today.
What is Mission Forward with Carrie Fox?
Mission Forward: An award-winning podcast for communicators on a mission.
Hosted by social impact expert and B Corp leader Carrie Fox, each episode of Mission Forward explores the power of communications. With just the right mix of practical and thought-provoking content, we take on the issues that matter to you, and that support your work as a communicator for change.
Together, we talk through topics that you’re likely experiencing right now: from how to tackle tough conversations; to how to best challenge stereotypes; to how we can build bridges across the issues that divide us. If you’re working to become a more inclusive and thoughtful communicator, there’s nothing holding you back—except you.
About Season 11
What does it mean to stand at the threshold of change? To face a door that is both closing and opening at the same time? In Season 11 of Mission Forward, Carrie Fox invites us into that liminal space—the sacred and often unsettling pause between hello and goodbye. It is here, in the transitions, where the most important work of leadership—and of life—often takes place.
This season, you’ll meet people who have walked away from stability in pursuit of something more true. You’ll hear from those who said yes before they were ready, and in doing so, discovered new strength. And you’ll learn from leaders who chose to stay rooted, practicing presence and commitment in a culture that prizes constant movement.
These are stories not just about change, but about how we communicate through it—about the clarity, courage, and care required when our words and actions mark turning points. Because goodbyes are never just endings. Hellos are never just beginnings. And the space between them? That’s where possibility lives.
Hello. Goodbye. And the Space Between.
* About the Host (https://www.missionforward.us/about-carrie)
* Listen to Past Episodes (https://www.missionforward.us/episodes)