“Development and humanitarian leaders want to change the world. But do they want to change themselves?”
Oxford HR Consultants Evelyne Guindon and Alanna Rondi have gained vital insights from decades working in the purpose-led sector and in the past two years, leading executive search for organizations based in Canada, the US and Kenya. They’ve gained important knowledge on effective leadership, and potential barriers and challenges faced by many. They are eager to share their insights through this thought piece and to continue the conversation with our readers.
We are living through exciting and unsettling times throughout the social and environmental impact sector. Transformation where commitments and actions lead to breaking down colonial structures and becoming anti-racist, is essential. Leaders are struggling to build strong civil society organizations and improve an aid ecosystem amidst serious challenges. To succeed they must carve a path that fosters solidarity, self-determination, and true equality and they must do so with the utmost humility and care. All while ensuring financial viability.
In addition to the need to shift the power, many in the sector cite the need to embrace the speed of change amidst a digital transformation. Resource development and fundraising skills have never been in greater demand, especially the ability to advocate for change with both the existing, traditional donors and the new funding mechanisms, and to do so with meaningful partnerships.
The challenges in today’s INGO landscape require shifts in leadership styles and approaches. To have impact, today’s leaders must inspire and influence. Like their team members, they can find comfort in bringing more of their whole selves to work, after decades leading dual and separate work and home lives. Leaders need to have a coaching mindset and a focus on the wellbeing of their teams as well as the skills to create and maintain a space for all voices to be heard and respected.
Intercultural competencies are foundational and increasingly, leaders who are unafraid to be authentic and vulnerable are sought. Attributes such as flexibility, being comfortable with ambiguity and having the courage to lead oneself and one’s team through uncertainty are essential. The ability to articulate a vision to a wide audience and help manage through the changes is as important as it is continuous in this sector. A strategic mindset must accompany all the above. Board engagement and the ability to share knowledge, guide the process of learning, unlearning and re-learning that may challenge established structures and ways working are also critical skills for today’s for-purpose sector leaders. Building trusting relationships that lead to strong governance remains the foundation of thriving civil society everywhere.
We have also seen how embracing feminist leadership principles and leading from a place of listening, understanding, respect and humility is changing how organizations work in partnership and build culture. The willingness to challenge oneself, a deep awareness of power dynamics and a commitment to collaboration are exciting new skills and attributes to add to the mix of what it takes to lead effectively today and into the future. We look forward to listening and learning more about leadership from the outstanding leaders and future leaders we have the good fortune to meet every day. Thanks for sharing your wisdom with us along the way!
Alanna Rondi
Alanna brings over eighteen years of experience in the international development sector where she has held senior leadership and advisory roles. Alanna served as the Canadian Executive Director of Amref Health Africa, an African led INGO focused on strengthening health systems. Alanna also served as the Executive Director of the Devonshire Initiative, a member-led multistakeholder forum that brought together Canadian INGOs, mining companies, government and other institutions committed to improving the development outcomes in communities around the world. Most recently she has worked with RNW Media, a Dutch based international media NGO as Canadian partnership liaison She has expertise in partnership development, resource mobilization, external communications and organizational strengthening.
Alanna is also a board member of Athletes for Africa and serves on the advisory for Ascent Soccer, an entrepreneurial sports, leadership and development organization operating in Uganda and Malawi.
Alanna has an extensive network in the Canadian INGO community. She understands the challenges and opportunities facing for purpose organizations and their leaders at this critical time. Alanna looks forward to working with her partner, Evelyne Guindon, to identify, support and place the next generation of leaders.
Alanna lives in Toronto, Canada.
Evelyne Guindon
Evelyne Guindon has over 25 years of experience working with International Non-Governmental Organizations. She held leadership roles at CARE Canada, Cuso International, Women Deliver, Nutrition International, UNICEF Canada and Right to Play. Evelyne has a deep understanding of resource mobilization, communications, governance, and cross-sectoral partnerships and has supported organizations as they adapt to and navigate through significant change. She has worked on a wide range of issues including sexual and reproductive health and rights; gender justice; nutrition; food security, environment, health, and humanitarian assistance. Over the years she has built and executed strategic global evidence-based advocacy efforts that mobilized significant investments. She is currently a sessional lecturer in the graduate program of the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. A graduate of Carleton University, Evelyne is also the Chair of the board at Informed Opinions, a Canadian non-profit organization. She lives in Ottawa, Canada.
