Debbie Hechinger has spent over 35 years in governance related work, first in the public sector and then in the nonprofit sector. For the past 20 years, her work has focused on leading nonprofit organizations to reach their goals.
As a board member, a senior and chief executive, and a consultant, she has had first hand experience with key aspects of successful nonprofit management and governance. Listed below are highlights of those activities.
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Consulting Highlights
- Assessed governance structures and practices of global environmental organization with a "representative"governance model and recommended changes to board roles, board composition, conflict of interest practices, allocation of decision-making practices among governing bodies, and the role of board leaders vis a vis key executives
- Reviewed the governance structures of a global health organization and identified key issues relating to purpose, mission, roles and responsibilities with attendant recommendations
- Reviewed progress made against the strategic plan of a significant conservation organization and recommended specific actions to address identified gaps; facilitated difficult discussions between key stakeholders to identify specific action steps to improve relations and performance; provided targeted advice on ways to improve board governance practices after a full board assessment
- Brought together discordant factions of an association's board and key committees through facilitated discussions and exercises that enabled directors and committee members to resolve differences and lead association forward
- Advised large, international, health nonprofit on exceptional board governance practices; designed phased board development plan; helped establish new board committees and new governance practices to enhance board composition and contributions
- Advised CEO and top leaders about strategic planning processes and facilitated discussions to identify needed actions and prioritize next steps
- Worked with board of American Legacy Foundation to set a vision for the future of the organization and enhance governance practices
- Led a team of consultants in assessing the composition, size, and structure of the Smithsonian Institution
- Led retreat for an independent school board which set priorities and established a board action plan
- Facilitated difficult board discussions about loss of trust within a board, redefining expectations
- Designed large scale, first-time, public meeting for a national board
- Facilitated CEO's and board's development of a new vision statement, highlighted options for governance changes
- Coached CEO on development of strategic plan, board meetings, strategies, and donor management
- Analyzed decentralization options for international organization and recommended restructuring
- Researched program-related investments and recommended next steps
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BoardSource Highlights
- Led the nation's premier nonprofit governance organization
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Developed a new "voice" for the institution, as well as new strategies and a business plan
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Heightened institutional impact and reach across the nonprofit sector
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Significantly increased contributed and earned revenue
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Led the development of The Source:Twelve Principles of Governance That Power Exceptional Boards
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Co-convener of the Governance and Fiduciary Responsibilities Workgroup of the National Panel
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Speaker at numerous national conferences and board meetings
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Consultant on complex governance issues and chief executive coach
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World Wildlife Fund Highights
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Responsible for all fundraising, communications, and marketing activities
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Responsible for all operations, including finance, legal, and human resources
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Raised $84 million in tax-exempt and taxable bonds to finance building purchase
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Completed 3 year fundraising campaign, raising $177 million against a $150 million goal
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Led development of new marketing and communications plans
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