Have questions about the qualifications for the NAD Chief Executive Officer role?
We’ve shared clarification on senior leadership experience, nonprofit background, and what “national-level advocacy” means in practice. Many forms of Deaf community leadership qualify—including state, local, volunteer, and grassroots roles.
If you’re unsure whether your experience aligns, we encourage you to review the full clarification. Read more: https://lnkd.in/g4pesUet
Transcript of video:
NAD CEO Search – Qualification Clarifications
Hello everyone! The search process is going well and we appreciate the support we are getting. We wanted to share some updates about our search.
First, we want to be very clear about what we’re looking for in the next NAD CEO.
Senior Leadership Experience – 10 Years
The requirement for 10 years of senior leadership experience is broad and includes volunteer leadership roles. Senior leadership means any role where you made strategic decisions, led people or initiatives, managed resources, or set organizational direction. Leadership at the local or state level absolutely qualifies—you do not need national-level experience. Examples include: president of your state Deaf association, board chair of a local organization, community program director, statewide advocacy campaign coordinator, grassroots movement leader, or founder of a community initiative.
Nonprofit Experience – 5 Years
Five years of nonprofit experience means any level of involvement with 501(c)(3) organizations—board service, committee participation, volunteer coordination, program development, fundraising, grant writing—in paid or unpaid roles. Qualifying nonprofits include Deaf schools, community service organizations, advocacy groups, state associations, arts and cultural organizations, sports programs, and any charitable organization serving our community.
Important: These experiences can overlap. If you served 10 years as president of your state association (a 501(c)(3)), that counts as both senior leadership and nonprofit experience.
Successful Advocacy at the National Level
Successful advocacy at the national level doesn’t mean you have to work at the federal level. If you’ve worked on national issues—like language access, education rights, or employment equity—from your state or local position, that counts as a national-level impact. Not sure if your experience qualifies? Reach out to Innivee Strategies. Our community’s leadership has taken many forms, and what you have to offer could be exactly what NAD needs. We’re committed to finding the best leader for NAD by ensuring all qualified candidates know they should apply. Help us spread the word.
We’ll share additional updates as the search progresses. Together, we’ll find the right leader for NAD’s next chapter. Thank you for your engagement in this process.
For a complete list of all announcements related to the NAD CEO Search: www.nad.org/ceosearch