Marci B. Sternheim, Ph.D., Principal
... is an independent consultant and educator, with significant experience in philanthropy, nonprofit organizations and academia.
Marci Sternheim is a broadly experienced and deeply knowledgeable coach, educator, and facilitator dedicated to strengthening mission-driven organizations and helping them to thrive. She works closely with boards of trustees and high-level staff in customized engagements to develop their leadership in governance and management, and to build organizational capacity for long-term sustainability. She also specializes in the complex dynamics of family philanthropy, working with foundation leadership to align values, vision and best practices in the fulfillment of mission. As a trained scholar, teacher and former university professional, she brings a nuanced understanding of academic culture to the organizational, governance and philanthropic needs of colleges and universities. Marci’s areas of expertise include: leadership coaching for board chairs and ED/CEO’s; assessing organizational capacities and needs; developing customized governance training and education programs; board and organizational culture-building; facilitating meetings and board retreats; articulating donor intent, mission and vision; constructing grantmaking programs; mediating board/family/staff dynamics; fulfilling special projects and interim leadership assignments; and public speaking.
... is a knowledgeable and strategic grantmaker.
As Senior Advisor for the Israel Program, an internal consulting role at the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, she helped develop the Trust's strategic grantmaking program in Israel, deploying $35-$45 million annually to high-level programs in scientific, technological and medical research; healthcare and preparedness; and the enhancement of Israel's standing in the world.
... has deep experience with family foundations.
As President of The Dibner Fund, a $100 million family foundation, she oversaw the governance and administration of the foundation and she directed all aspects of its giving to programs in the history of science and technology, science education, humanitarian aid, peaceful coexistence, the preservation of water resources and Jewish heritage and culture as well as selected community organizations.
... has direct experience with the pressures and aspirations of nonprofits.
As founding Executive Director of the Joseph Slifka Center for Jewish Life at Yale, an independent nonprofit center on the Yale campus, serving students, faculty, staff and alumni of the University, as well as New Haven community members, she built the building, established programs, administration and operations, and set the Center on its course of great success.
... understands universities as an administrator and scholar.
Following an early career in scholarship and teaching, she worked in the Office of the Secretary and Vice President at Yale where, as Assistant University Secretary, she managed a portfolio of responsibilities ranging from town-gown and public relations to campus security as well as being the principal staff liaison to the Yale Corporation.
... approaches her work with intellectual rigor and passion.
A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Colgate University, she holds a doctorate in Spanish and Latin American literature from Yale University, and she taught at both Yale and Wesleyan. She is a trained mediator, having earned her Certification in Mediation from the University of Connecticut and the Quinnipiac University Law School. She is also a BoardSource-trained governance consultant and has received Interim Executive Director leadership training from the Support Center in New York. She teaches nonprofit professional practice classes in the UConn Encore! Program, and she is a governance educator in Fairfield County’s Community Foundation-Support Center New Executive Director Institute. She is a member of the Institute of Coaching and was a regular guest lecturer on mentoring and on nonprofit leadership at NYU/Stern School of Business Women in Business Leadership course. She is a frequent teacher/public speaker/conference presenter on topics ranging from organizational culture to the philanthropic partnership. She has served on a wide variety of boards; currently she serves as Board member and Governance Committee Chair of the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) in Washington, DC.; as a Board member for Temple Israel in Westport, CT; and is the chair of Fairfield County’s Community Foundation’s Consultants’ Network.