When a person’s sense of purpose is strongly aligned with the mission, legacy and future possibilities of your organization, you want to hold onto them forever—even though you can’t.
But such a leader also creates a lasting influence through their example. Then their impact is possible even when the person moves on.
As Cathy Layton prepares to leave the board of the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation, we want to reflect on a few elements of her leadership.
She served on the board and as board chair during an important time of transformation. She attracted influential leaders, understood the role of the board vs. staff, and gave particular attention to the lives and wishes of Bill and Marie Selby. She took the time to admire what works with excellence while envisioning what could be different.
After serving as board chair, Cathy wrote a introspective list of reflections, sharing what she learned in the position.
A few of these thoughts:
- Discussion among board members with insights from the CEO produces optimal results in grant decisions.
- Sometimes individual passions must be tempered for the greater good and to support donor intent.
- Helping students may look different in the future than it has in the past.
- We need and benefit from all kinds of thinkers and activists.
- Naming rights or lack thereof are not reasons to give or reasons not to give.
- We cannot serve all of our community’s needs. We can gather other leaders and partners for greater impact. We stay in our lane.
- Finally, documenting donor intent was important work that should be timeless.
A fundamental part of working at the Selby Foundation or serving as a board member involves individually signing and affirming this Declaration of Donor Intent.
Read aloud each year at the annual meeting, this document was the brainchild of Cathy, written in collaboration with others.
The Declaration is important to perpetually establish the Selbys’ philanthropic vision for years to come, long after anyone who personally new either Bill or Marie had passed.
It focuses on what was most important to Bill and Marie Selby and on the five values that exemplify their lives and their commitment to this foundation. Each person who is privileged to help steward the Selby legacy is asked to understand and work within these values as a practice: humanity, humility, social responsibility, innovation and stewardship.
Rare to meet a single individual who can regularly exemplify these qualities together, we find such a person in Cathy Layton.
As Cathy embarks on a new leadership role joining the governing board of The Patterson Foundation, we thank her sincerely for her timeless contributions and know they will continue to guide our work.