Running a nonprofit isn't just about budgets and board reports. It's about managing the emotional weight of leadership. In this episode, I'm joined by David Baker Hargrove (they/them), a leadership consultant, licensed psychotherapist, and former CEO of a $100M+ nonprofit. To talk about blind spots, board dynamics, role clarity, and how to build a culture where trust, equity, and mental health fuel high performance. I'll show you practical moves you can make this week, including when and how to use CISD in moments of crisis.

Episode Highlights

• 01:16 Meet Our Guest: David Baker Hargrove

• 03:18 Hidden Emotional Challenges for Nonprofit CEOs

• 08:02 Navigating Board Dynamics and Power

• 20:18 Building a Culture of Mental Health and Wellness

• 28:47 Disaster Mental Health Leadership

My guest for this episode is David Baker-Hargrove.

Dr. David Baker-Hargrove is a leadership consultant, licensed psychotherapist, and former CEO of a $100M+ nonprofit. With over 30 years of experience in behavioral health, LGBTQ+ advocacy, and crisis leadership. David specializes in helping executive teams align mission with infrastructure, navigate leadership transitions, and build cultures of trust and equity. Their work has included disaster mental health leadership

following the WTC attacks and the Pulse Nightclub shooting. David is a nonbinary leader, proud spouse of 31 years, and parent to a daughter, bringing both lived experience and deep systems knowledge to every room they enter.

Connect with David:

Website: https://sites.google.com/view/bhcassessment/home

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-baker-hargrove-0713a37/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1SZSNozH_yRF6sUtaFgyVg

Author: When the Board Chair Thinks They're the CEO: Using DiSC to Navigate Nonprofit Power Struggles in Strategy Driven, April 2025 https://www.strategydriven.com/2025/04/01/when-the-board-chair-thinks-theyre-the-ceo-using-disc-to-navigate-nonprofit-power-struggles/

Author: Shoestring Success How We Built a Multi-Million Dollar Business from Nothing: A Practical Guide to Entrepreneurial Success

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