Nonprofit leadership is rewarding but often lonely and overwhelming. In this episode of the Nonprofit Counsel Podcast, host May Harris welcomes Mike Gellman, founder of High Five Career Coaching, to discuss the unique challenges nonprofit executives face and the tools that help them succeed. From peer advisory groups and mastermind circles to navigating board dynamics and building partnerships, Mike shares how coaching and collaboration strengthen leaders and organizations.

What You Will Learn in This Episode

✅The biggest challenges nonprofit CEOs and executive directors face today
✅Why mastermind groups and peer advisory circles create safe, trusted spaces for leaders
✅The trade-offs of transitioning from corporate to nonprofit leadership
✅How collaboration and partnerships create stronger nonprofits than competition ever could

👉 Want templates and step-by-step nonprofit leadership training
→ https://nonprofitcounsel.com/leadership-accelerator

Key Timestamps

• 01:17   Meet Mike Gellman of High Five Career Coaching

• 03:09   From San Diego Zoo to coaching nonprofit executives

• 05:15   Common challenges nonprofit leaders face

• 08:05   The rise of co-CEOs in nonprofits

• 10:24   Why boards can’t always provide full support

• 11:00   The role of nonprofit masterminds

• 15:27   Advice for corporate leaders moving into nonprofits

• 23:20 Partnerships and collaboration across nonprofits
  
  

4 Key Takeaways

• Leadership is lonely – Nonprofit executives juggle pressure from boards, staff, funders, and regulators.
  
  

• Safe spaces matter – Peer advisory groups and mastermind circles provide confidential, trusted support.
  
  

• Corporate to nonprofit transitions bring trade-offs – Less pay, but more impact, freedom, and accelerated growth opportunities.
  
  

• Partnerships build strength – Nonprofits that collaborate achieve stronger results for their communities.
  
  

Guest Bio

Mike Gellman is the founder of High Five Career Coaching, specializing in nonprofit executive coaching, career transitions, and team development. With a background that includes the San Diego Zoo, Father Joe’s Villages, and Fortune 500 corporations, Mike brings deep experience in leadership development and nonprofit governance. His nonprofit mastermind groups provide a supportive space for CEOs and executive directors seeking growth, clarity, and confidence.

Resource Links

• https://blairsearchpartners.com/

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-blair

• For Profit Law Group - Website - https://www.fplglaw.com

• Nonprofit Counsel - Website - https://www.nonprofitcounsel.com/

Tags

#NonprofitLeadership #ExecutiveCoaching #NonprofitGovernance #NonprofitMastermind #LeadershipDevelopment #NonprofitCouncilPodcast