CEO, Emerge

Mission Driven Search is leading the CEO search for The Emerge Center, an innovative non-profit in Baton Rouge, LA. All inquiries and applications will be handled in strict confidence.

About The Opportunity: For the last six decades, the Emerge Center has transformed the lives of children with autism and individuals with communication challenges through innovative therapies, compassionate care, and family support. As the region’s premier resource for developmental communications challenges, Emerge provides services, including assessment, speech and language therapy, audiology, behavioral, occupational therapy and applied behavior analysis (ABA), early intervention and The Emerge School — all under one roof. The Emerge Foundation focuses on diversified fundraising revenue sources to drive the organization’s growth in response to high demand.

Emerge is recognized as a national model for integrated, interdisciplinary care and a trusted partner to families, schools, healthcare systems, and community organizations across Louisiana. Each year, Emerge serves 2000 children and families through individualized programs designed to help every child reach their fullest potential.

The next CEO of The Emerge Center will be a compassionate, visionary, and results-oriented leader who:

• Inspires teams through authenticity, empathy, and accountability.
• Brings a strategic and operational mindset with a heart for mission.
• Has the ability to build partnerships across sectors to advance community impact.
• Embraces innovation and continuous improvement to meet evolving needs.
• Reflects integrity, humility, and a deep respect for the families Emerge serves.

The Emerge Center Board of Directors Selection Committee is leading this CEO Executive Search in conjunction with the planned retirement of the current CEO who has served in the role since 2019. The incoming CEO will inherit a solid organization and a deeply committed team poised for continued innovation and growth.

About the Position: The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and visionary direction for The Emerge Center, ensuring continued excellence in care, fiscal responsibility, and mission impact. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO is responsible for advancing Emerge’s mission, stewarding its resources, and inspiring a multidisciplinary team of professionals and partners.

As the organization’s primary ambassador, the CEO will strengthen relationships with donors, healthcare and education partners, and civic leaders to expand awareness, partnerships, and funding opportunities that sustain and scale Emerge’s impact across the region.

The CEO has direct oversight responsibility for The Emerge Center, and strategically partners with The Emerge School, and The Emerge Foundation to fulfill their shared mission. Collectively, the three organizations’ revenues approach $12M, with roughly $10M in net assets.

About the Responsibilities: The successful candidate will have a proven track record of…

• Strategic & Organizational Leadership
• Board Relations & Governance
• Fundraising & External Relations
• Financial & Operational Management

Requisite Qualifications and Experience:

The successful candidate for CEO will have relevant education and experience, including:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business Administration, a Clinical Discipline, Nonprofit Management, Education, Healthcare Administration, or related field.
• 10+ years of senior leadership experience in a healthcare, clinical or mission-driven nonprofit setting.
• Demonstrated capabilities in strategic planning and visionary leadership.
• Proven record of managing multidisciplinary teams and leading organizational growth.
• Strategic thinker with strong organizational management skills, including financial management skills, including budgeting and resource allocation.
• Proven track record in servant leadership, orchestrating engaged and best in class teams as a second level leader (managing other organizational leaders/managers).
• Demonstrated success in fundraising, donor relations, and external partnerships.
• Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and public speaking skills.
• Experience with Board Engagement and Governance.
• Excellent communication, public speaking, and interpersonal skills, including large events, donor meetings, interviews with the media.
• Stable work history
• Demonstrated personal commitment serving children, including easily engaging and putting at ease clients with widely varying needs from diverse populations.
• At the appropriate time, you will provide references who can speak to your interpersonal effectiveness and emotional intelligence, and to address questions specific to your candidacy.

In addition to meeting the above requirements, the ideal candidate for CEO will have:

• Prior experience as a CEO, COO, GM, or other C-suite executive in a similar setting.
• Experience leading in a healthcare, therapeutic, or early-intervention environment.
• Prior success managing both clinical and operational functions.
• Board engagement and governance experience.
• Connection to Baton Rouge or Louisiana preferred.