CEO Lessons from One of the Best

I go to a lot of lunchtime fundraisers. Sometimes it feels like the Seattle nonprofit community has a few too many of them, to be honest. They are usually at the Seattle Sheraton or the Westin. They involve compelling stories. You are moved. You donate. You are rejuvenated. But this week, I went to the best one ever.

Wellspring Family Services had their annual "Lasting Change" lunch. ( @Wellspring_FS ) Wellspring Family Services is a nonprofit, multi-service agency serving low-income and vulnerable individuals, children and families in Seattle and King County, including addressing homelessness. The testimonials were great and the program was top-notch as usual.. But this year they also celebrated Ruthann Howell, their CEO who is retiring after 27 years. And she happens to be one of my best friends.

I have been thinking a lot of Ruthann lately. We met a decade ago when our kids were growing up together in our small community. We forged an instant connection and have been friends ever since. She has also been there for me again and again as a mentor.

As I sat in the full ballroom the other day, watching Seattle salute her for the difference she has made to families in our community, I found myself thinking a lot of the difference one person can make in a community, and of the lessons I have taken from Ruthann as she retires as CEO of a large nonprofit.

Be kind. Ruthann has connections and relationships across this community because of her kindness. She looks out for those who cannot look out for themselves, and this translates to her work colleagues and her friendships. She has found a way to set the standard for CEOs in our nonprofit community and never lose her sense of kindness and compassion for others.

Be resilient. Life can be unfair sometimes. Ruthann has given her life to public service and helping others, yet a few years ago her only child became gravely ill. I remember the wave of injustice I felt over someone who had given her whole life to others having to face what she did. But she powered through and survived. More importantly, her wonderful son did, as well.

Be reliable. I know that Ruthann has a tremendously demanding job, but I cannot count the times she has been there for me when I needed it. She is the sort of friend you can always call. She has provided references for me with employers, coached me through difficult job situations, listened when I was down. Once I was shocked to lose a job (a nightmare I never care to face again, by the way). Ruthann showed up at my house that night with flowers and wine and spent time listening to me into the night. I remember thinking how incredibly lucky I was. I am sure she had plenty to do that night. But she found time.

Be connected. Ruthann knows everyone in the Seattle nonprofit and donor community and this has served her very well over the years. In fact, it was because of her connections and engagement of others that the Rotary Club in Seattle decided to make an incredibly generous donation to Ruthann's organization when they ran a capital campaign several years ago. Everyone in town knows her. Wellspring has benefited from it.

Be strategic. The most inspirational person in the world may not be a good CEO if she doesn't know how to run the place. Ruthann has been at this a long time and knows how to quickly assess fundraising opportunities, identify difficulties, advise on strategies. Some of my best memories over the last ten years include sitting in Ruthann's kitchen as she lays out gameplans for how I can address work challenges. Frankly, if she would have charged per hour, she would be a rich woman.

Be self-aware. One of Ruthann's best traits is her ability to admit to things she doesn't know and be okay with that. Can you imagine how much more functional our workplaces would be if we all admitted this more frequently? I always laugh when we are talking about an issue and she says something to the effect of "Yeah, that's not something I do. My staff handles that." (Or some form of this.). She knows herself enough to know she cannot be the expert at all things. And that's okay. She has a great team and they will make things happen at levels at which she frequently doesn't need to engage.

Be generous. Ruthann was the CEO of a large nonprofit and had plenty to do over the years. But do you know the first time I met her? It was when she was volunteering at a Camp Fire event for our kids. Since then, she was the manager of a high school soccer team, the manager of "Front of House" for the high school play and on the board of the local schools foundation. Somehow, in spite of a huge job, she found a way to help her community as well... again and again.

Be an asker. Many CEOs in our nonprofit community are not comfortable to tap into "performance" mode to make the ask, to be the name, the face associated with the cause. Ruthann has embraced that, whether it is in giving inspiration at Rotary meetings, meeting with donors to ask for funds or asking the community for support at the annual luncheon. This minister's daughter is comfortable with giving inspirational talks, with asking and with making the critical points behind every successful ask: your gift will matter and here is why.

I feel incredibly blessed that my path crossed with Ruthann's a decade ago. I have learned from her, I have leaned on her and I have relied on her. She truly is the personification of my favorite moment in "It's a Wonderful Life" when Clarence says, "Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?"

Congratulations to my dear friend Ruthann, who will leave an awfully big hole when she leaves Wellspring Family Services this week. It has been a privilege to be part of the journey.

And to my dear friend Ruthann, who famously doesn't like all the praise: Remember when you took the stage at the Sheraton and the crowd erupted into a standing ovation and just kept clapping and clapping? Well, I think that was something you should never forget.

Lauri Hennessey is Vice President of Engagement for Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle. She is also an awfully big fan of Wellspring Family Services' retiring CEO Ruthann Howell.