Introduction
The Learning for Life Autism Centre (L4Life) is an NFP supporting autistic and other neurodivergent children to develop skills that promote independence and choice.
Established in 2004 to address the inequity of access to quality, early intervention; their program offerings have grown to incorporate more services, as well as training for families, carers, and educators to help support these young people throughout their learning journey.
In Autumn 2024, L4Life selected Gembridge to partner with them find their next CEO. This appointment was a significant transition, replacing Pam Roy, one of the Co-Founders who led the organisation at the Board level for 20 years (alongside Co-Founders Tom Gleisner AO, Mary Muirhead OAM, and Mandy Sampson), then served as CEO for the last 5. Pam leaves a legacy of extraordinary work, thus, paving the way for a new CEO to lead the organisation through their exciting new chapter.
The Challenge
Referred to as the Learning for Life Village, they are a tight knit community of dedicated staff, volunteers, community members and families, who have respect, trust, equity, joy and kindness at the core of work they do and the people they support. Yet, as they navigate an increasingly complex regulatory and competitive landscape, they recognise they must adopt an innovative approach to sustainability and growth; whilst staying focused on their mission and values.
It was the first time L4Life worked with an external Executive Search Recruitment firm, so it was imperative to build trust early. The Board and Senior Leadership team approached the process with a blend of cautious optimism and a strong commitment to finding the right leader to drive meaningful change.
The Approach
Gembridge, at its core, is a relationship focused agency that cares deeply about finding the right fit for each of our clients. That was imbued throughout the engagement and beyond.
Lead by Jenni D’Orival, Associate Director, and supported by Michelle Varcoe, CEO/Founder, Gembridge worked closely with the L4Life Board and Senior Leadership Team to define the ideal candidate profile. Having a clear picture meant that from commencement, through to placement, the team was able to quickly identify those qualities in potential candidates and take them on the journey over multiple touchpoints with care and consideration.
Overall, a wide and diverse pool of candidates came through a variety of search techniques, including the use of specialised NFP job boards, proactive search, and leveraging strong networks in the sector. Gembridge internally interviewed over 20 candidates, from which a curated longlist was presented to L4Life for consideration. More than simply sharing CV’s, Jenni led robust and thorough discussions with the Board to determine who they should shortlist and take through to interview. Once decided, Jenni helped facilitate and co-chair first interviews with 5 candidates, and second interviews with two. The second interview included a specific scenario-based presentation to the Board, an exercise that provided valuable insights into each candidate’s leadership strengths, ability to navigate change and complex challenges, strategic thinking and implementation, plus understanding of the sector.
The Results
Following a rigorous and thorough process, L4Life were ready to select their preferred candidate, Nicci Godsman. Gembridge facilitated the necessary probity and reference checks and assisted with negotiating the offer of employment.
Since the placement, Gembridge have stayed in touch with L4Life and Nicci, and the feedback has been outstanding. Both parties are thrilled with their respective decisions and are looking forward to exciting developments in the near future, as well as ambitious plans for the long term.
One of Nicci’s goals was to build the L4Life fundraising team. This time coming to Gembridge as a client, Nicci engaged Gembridge in the search for a Philanthropy Manager. The successful candidate was appointed and has not only thrived in the role but has continued to grow and strengthen L4Life’s fundraising programs and income.
The Conclusion
Gembridge goes beyond transactional relationships, valuing collaborative and true partnerships. By investing time with both clients and candidates, we are able to draw out the necessary information, gain insights and achieve the best outcomes for all involved. For this important placement and partnership, along with so many others, our core values are reflected – integrity, curiosity, creativity, collaboration, and results.
Testimonials
“Michelle and Jenni lead a very thorough, professional recruitment for our CEO position. They took all the stress out of the process, supporting both the candidates and our organisation. We were thrilled with the shortlist and how they ran the campaign. We are looking forward to working with Gembridge again. ”
“Working with Gembridge, especially Jenni and Lisa, was an incredibly positive experience during our search for a new Philanthropy Manager. Their professionalism, personalised approach, and in-depth understanding of our needs made the recruitment process seamless and efficient. The team truly went above and beyond to ensure that we found the perfect candidate. I greatly appreciate their dedication and expert guidance throughout the entire process. I highly recommend Gembridge to any organisation in need of exceptional recruitment services. ”