CEO Search for $27MM education nonprofit

  • The New Teacher Center needed a CEO who could turn their strategic vision into action, and Offor helped them find a leader who fit seamlessly.

  • To ensure the best fit, the board evaluated both internal talent and external candidates through a transparent process designed with Offor’s support.

  • With Offor guiding the way, the board confidently chose Tommy Chang, ensuring leadership continuity and alignment with their mission.

Background

The New Teacher Center wasn’t looking for a visionary. They already had the vision—crafted, polished, and ready for action. What they needed in 2022 was a leader to make it real. They’d spent years building a strategic plan that everyone believed in, but bringing it to life would take more than ideas on paper. It was time to find a CEO who could take that plan and make it sing.

The Challenge

The stakes were high: the board needed a steady leader who could pick up the baton without stumbling. They had two solid internal candidates who knew the organization inside and out, but they also wanted to see if there was someone out there—someone with fresh eyes and the right skills—who could take their vision to the next level. The biggest challenge? Doing all of this while keeping the team engaged and morale strong, without anyone feeling left out of the process.

The Offor Method

Offor stepped in to guide the board through what could have been a risky and emotional transition. We began by conducting a Talent and Culture Audit to lay it all out—what was working, what wasn’t, and where the risks were. Our job was to make sure everyone had the information they needed to feel confident in this process.

We worked to keep internal candidates involved and supported, giving them fair and transparent consideration. At the same time, we scouted external leaders who could be the perfect fit. Offor created an environment that felt secure for everyone involved—candidates, board members, and staff alike—so the decision wasn’t just data-driven, but also human-focused.

The Result: A New CEO

Enter Tommy Chang, an external candidate who fit like he’d always been part of the family. The New Teacher Center found exactly what they needed: a leader ready to roll up his sleeves and turn strategy into action. Tommy stepped in, mission-aligned and values-driven, picking up where the team left off without missing a beat.

Offor made sure the board's choice was anything but a gamble. The strategic plan they’d spent so long perfecting is now more than just a promise—it’s in motion, led by a CEO who understands that true success comes from empowering the people already on board.

Why It Matters

The New Teacher Center had all the pieces—they just needed the right guide to put them together. By creating a fair, transparent process, Offor helped make an important choice less of a leap of faith and more of a confident decision. That’s what Offor does best: turning daunting transitions into opportunities for growth, one confident hire at a time.

  • "I've been through four CEO searches with different firms in the past year, and this was by far the best process I've experienced. Every step was excellent. I'm truly grateful to have worked with and learned from your team.”

    Shruti Sehra, Board Chair, The New Teacher Center