FOUNDER'S SYNDROME: LEADING WITH LEGACY

LIVE WEBINAR: 23 July 2026 | 12:00 PM Australian EST for NFP's

Seats Limited - Register Now Free

FOUNDER'S SYNDROME: LEADING WITH LEGACY

Is your organisation ready to thrive beyond its founder?

Many not-for-profits are built through the vision, passion and commitment of a founder. Their leadership often shapes the culture, mission and success of the organisation.

But over time, when too much influence, decision-making or organisational knowledge rests with one person, growth and sustainability can become increasingly difficult.

Founder's Syndrome does not mean a founder has done something wrong.

In fact, it often comes from deep care and dedication to the mission.

But without intentional leadership transition and strong governance, organisations can face:

Leadership bottlenecks
Challenges with succession planning
Board governance tensions
Resistance to change and innovation
Increased organisational risk
Difficulty sustaining growth beyond the founder

The strongest organisations are those that can honour their founder's contribution while building a future that is bigger than any one individual.

Join us for this practical webinar and discover how to lead with legacy, strengthen governance, and create a sustainable future for your organisation.

Join This Free Webinar

FOUNDER'S SYNDROME: LEADING WITH LEGACY

In this practical and thought-provoking session, you'll learn how to:

Understand what Founder's Syndrome really means
Recognise the early warning signs boards often miss
Strengthen governance while respecting the founder's legacy
Transition leadership without losing the mission
Learn from real-world examples of healthy and unhealthy founder transitions
Lead with legacy and build long-term organisational sustainability

What You’ll Learn

In this practical and strategic session, you’ll discover:

What Founder's Syndrome really means

The early warning signs boards often miss

How to strengthen governance without dishonouring the founder

Ways to transition power while protecting the mission

Real-world examples of healthy and unhealthy founder transitions

How to build an organisation that can thrive for years to come

Who This Is For

This webinar is ideal for:

Not-for-Profit CEOs & Founders
Board Members and Chairs
Chief Executive Officers
Senior Leadership Teams
Governance and Strategy Leaders
Succession Planning Committees
Community Organisations
Charities and Social Enterprises

Whether your organisation is founder-led, preparing for leadership transition, or looking to strengthen governance, this webinar will provide practical guidance to support your long-term sustainability.

The Real Question Is

Is your organisation prepared to thrive beyond its founder?

Many not-for-profits are built on the passion, vision and dedication of extraordinary founders.

But when too much influence, decision-making or organisational knowledge rests with one person, future growth can become difficult.

Sustainable organisations require:

• Strong governance

• Shared leadership

• Succession planning

• Clear accountability

• A mission that can thrive beyond any individual

This webinar will help you start that journey.

Reserve Your Spot Today

Learn how to

✔ Recognise the signs of Founder's Syndrome

✔ Strengthen governance and board effectiveness

✔ Support healthy leadership transitions

✔ Navigate succession planning with confidence

✔ Protect your mission while preparing for the future

✔ Build a lasting organisational legacy

Presented by

Kerrie Sheaves

Co-Founder NFP Ocean

Kerrie Sheaves is a seasoned business strategist with over two decades of experience helping for-profit companies grow through purpose-driven partnerships. As the co-founder of NFP Ocean, she’s leading a movement that reshapes the synergy between service providers and the not-for-profit (NFP) sector.

Through her work, Kerrie has helped craft a platform that transforms how services are are accessed by NFPs — enabling providers to offer their expertise while significantly enhancing their societal impact. By fostering collaboration rooted in mutual understanding and shared values, she empowers both sides to grow together with purpose.

Kerrie brings deep insight, practical frameworks, and a passion for connecting commercial success with meaningful community outcomes.

Bonus Takeaways

Attendees will walk away with:

• A clearer understanding of Founder's Syndrome

• Practical governance and leadership transition insights

• Succession planning considerations for founders and boards

• Real-world examples of successful founder transitions

• Questions to help start meaningful conversations within their organisation

• Immediate next steps to strengthen long-term sustainability

Kerrie is an experienced leader who is transparent and able to keep teams and clients accountable to their goals - all with a good dose of her wicked sense of humour! I would recommend Kerrie to small business owners at any stage of their business maturity.

Partner, Marketing Agency

Got Question?

We've got answers

Funding operational and back office costs in the NFP sector can feel confusing and difficult.

That’s why this webinar was created.

We address common questions NFP leaders ask, including:

• How to justify operational costs in grant applications

• How to secure sponsorships for systems, staffing, and technology

• What funders are really looking for

• How to build a more sustainable organisation

This session is designed to give practical, real-world guidance to help your organisation strengthen its foundations and increase impact.

And if your question is not covered, reach out to us directly. We are here to help your NFP grow sustainably.

Can operational and administration costs really be included in grant applications?

Yes. Funders increasingly understand that strong programs require strong infrastructure. This includes staffing, technology, compliance, reporting, finance, and operational support systems.

What are “back office costs” in an NFP?

Back office costs include the people, systems, and operational functions that keep your organisation running effectively, such as finance, HR, administration, technology, governance, and compliance.

How can we position operational costs without sounding wasteful?

The key is to frame these costs as essential impact infrastructure. Without sustainable operations, organisations struggle to deliver measurable, compliant, and scalable outcomes.

Can sponsors fund roles, systems, or technology?

Absolutely. Many sponsors are open to supporting infrastructure initiatives when they clearly understand the long-term impact, sustainability benefits, and visibility opportunities involved.

Is this webinar only for large not-for-profits?

No. This webinar is designed for grassroots organisations, growing charities, social enterprises, and established NFPs looking to strengthen sustainability and funding strategies.