How an Interim Saved the Mission
- Genevieve Waller
- Nov 10
- 1 min read
Real results from real organizations.
The Crisis:
For years, this organization had been quietly fraying.
Programs underperforming, rising staff conflict and burnout, Board disengaged and overlooking inequitable pay, funders losing confidence. When the long-tenured Executive Director was finally terminated, the unraveling became impossible to ignore.
Before the Interim:
By the time UpShift was called in, 46% staff turnover in two years, Morale was ≈ 30%, the volunteer base was decimated, compliance issues and duplicate reporting, funders on the fence about renewal. The board knew change was overdue—but had no roadmap for recovery.
What We Did (The UpShift Framework):
Stabilize & Align — Entered within two weeks; restored day-to-day operations; became a steady, transparent point of leadership; re-established trust with staff, funders, and regulators.
Improve & Plan — Rebuilt internal systems, corrected pay inequities, eliminated redundant reporting, and guided honest conversations between staff and board.
Transition & Sustain — Recruited and oriented new board members, led the Executive Director search, and built a supported onboarding plan for long-term success.
After:
A renewal of old funding + increase of new funding, staff turnover down to 13% | satisfaction at 80%, cross-department collaboration replacing silos, streamlined systems and strong compliance, and a new ED thriving years later.
The Takeaway:
Waiting rarely saves money—or missions. The right interim doesn’t just hold space; they rebuild trust, systems, and strategy so transformation can take root.
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