CEO

About NCIA

For over 48 years, NCIA has empowered people with limited access to opportunity to build fulfilling lives and stronger communities through unconditional support. Through innovative programs, NCIA transforms lives and challenges societal norms, proving that with the right support, every person can contribute positively to their community.

Since its founding in 1977 by Dr. Jerome Miller and Herbert Hoelter, nationally recognized leaders in justice reform and community-based alternatives to institutionalization and incarceration, the National Center on Institutions and Alternatives (now NCIA) has supported a diverse population of more than 25,000 individuals through innovative programs that serve people with intellectual, developmental, and emotional disabilities, people re-entering society after incarceration, at-risk youth, and adults with complex needs.

NCIA’s Programs & Impact

NCIA’s programs are designed to meet people where they are and support them in building skills, confidence, and independence:

• Vocational Training Center (VTC): Provides vocational training, career preparation, and employment support to returning citizens, veterans, economically disadvantaged individuals, SNAP recipients, and recent high school graduates. Training includes industry-recognized certifications in Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), HVAC/R, and automotive maintenance. With locations in Baltimore, MD, and Charlotte, NC, the VTC prepares approximately 460 people annually for meaningful employment.
• Community Living Homes: NCIA operates 40 community living homes for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. These homes provide individualized residential supports, including case management, clinical and nursing services, and life-skills development, empowering residents to live active, connected, and increasingly independent lives in their communities.
• Career Development Program: This program offers day and community-based services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Participants choose from job development and employment training, career discovery, volunteerism, recreation, and community engagement - supporting both workforce readiness and overall quality of life.
• Youth in Transition School (YIT): A nonpublic, full-day special education program for students ages 11–21 with autism, emotional disabilities, and intellectual disabilities. Approved by the Maryland State Department of Education, YIT provides academic instruction, vocational experiences, clinical services, and behavioral supports, often helping students achieve academic success for the first time.

NCIA Foundation

In addition to its programmatic work, NCIA operates a Foundation that was established when longtime CEO Herbert Hoelter stepped down from his leadership role to focus on expanding the organization’s long-term impact and sustainability. The Foundation exists to secure the future of NCIA’s life-changing programs by building a strong, durable, and diversified financial base.

Values

NCIA keeps its values at the center of all it does, guiding decision-making, partnerships, and service delivery:

• We value changing lives through compassion.
• We value results-driven accountability.
• We value respect.
• We value transparent integrity.
• We value collaborative learning and growth.

Strategic Direction & Organizational Priorities

NCIA is in the tail end of a three-year strategic plan (2024–2026) focused on aligning the organization’s operations with its founding principles and the evolving needs of the people it serves. Guided by four core principles—promoting independence, financial stability, equity, and compassion without limits—the plan is designed to expand impact while strengthening organizational resilience.

Key strategic priorities include:

1. Optimizing employees, processes, and performance through investments in workforce development, compensation, leadership, and systems that ensure high-quality services.
2. Establishing reliable, sustainable income streams to serve more people by strengthening marketing outreach and implementing strong business plans for new and existing services.

In parallel, NCIA is investing in infrastructure, technology, compliance, and clinical capacity to respond to increasing mental and behavioral health needs—while navigating significant shifts in funding and reimbursement systems.

Looking Ahead

NCIA is actively developing its next strategic plan, which will guide the organization from 2027 through 2030. This plan will provide a clear roadmap for NCIA’s next chapter, offering the incoming CEO a well-defined strategic framework while also creating a meaningful opportunity to influence, refine, and adapt the strategy over time in partnership with the Board and leadership team as conditions, opportunities, and community needs evolve.

As NCIA enters its next chapter, the organization does so from a position of strength, with a strong and stable financial position, a highly engaged and supportive Board, and a seasoned executive team. Building on a rich history, mission-driven values, and a clear strategic vision, NCIA remains deeply committed to changing lives and building stronger, more inclusive communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Learn more about NCIA at ncianet.org.

The Opportunity 

In 2026, NCIA will welcome its next leader, and third-ever CEO, as part of a thoughtful, planned succession of current CEO, Carole Argo. This leader will step into a one-of-a-kind, deeply respected institution and guide NCIA through its next chapter of growth, impact, and organizational evolution.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO will lead a dedicated workforce of approximately 650 employees (including five direct reports: the Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Vice President of Corporate Compliance & Quality, Director of Marketing and Communications, and Director of Development) and oversee an annual operating budget of $45 million.

As the chief steward of NCIA’s mission, values, and long-term vision, the CEO will provide strategic and operational leadership to ensure continued excellence, financial strength, and measurable impact, while positioning NCIA at the forefront of its field.

In close partnership with the Board and senior leadership team, the CEO will advance strategic priorities, drive sustainable growth, and ensure the organization is well-positioned to respond to both present needs and emerging opportunities. The CEO will lead effectively through periods of stability and change alike, bringing sound judgment, decisiveness, and resilience.

Serving as NCIA’s chief ambassador, the CEO will represent the organization to the people it serves, their families and communities, as well as to partners, funders, and government stakeholders, strengthening relationships and amplifying NCIA’s mission and impact across all audiences.

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Vision, Strategy, and Growth

• Shapes the organization’s long-term goals. Sets strategic direction, long-range plans, and primary goals in conjunction with the Board of Directors, including leading the implementation of NCIA’s 2027–2030 strategic plan.
• Communicates the organization’s vision and strategy and builds commitment to the strategic direction among external and internal constituents, including employees, clients, board members, business partners, and other stakeholders.
• Safeguards and builds upon NCIA’s organizational philosophy, values, and operating environment. Ensures that the organization’s mission, vision, culture, and services are consistently presented in a strong, positive image to all stakeholders.
• Guides the organization through periods of uncertainty or disruption, revising strategy as needed in response to changing conditions.
• Spearheads strategic growth opportunities in core and non-core markets, overseeing the identification, prioritization, development, and integration of opportunities.

Board Development & Stewardship

• Leads board development and succession, including the identification, recruitment, onboarding, and ongoing engagement of new Board members for both NCIA and the NCIA Foundation, in partnership with the Board Chair and Nominating Committee.
• Serves as the primary connector between governance and management, ensuring that Board composition, committee structure, and leadership talent align with NCIA’s strategic priorities, fundraising goals, and long-term sustainability.
• Cultivates a high-performing, mission-aligned Board, actively assessing skills, gaps, and diversity of perspective needed to support NCIA’s evolving strategy, partnerships, and growth.
• Guides Board recruitment strategy across two boards and multiple committees, ensuring clarity of roles, effective committee leadership, and strong collaboration between the governing Board and Foundation Board.

Organization and People Development

• Fosters a collaborative and inclusive culture within the team, ensuring staff are supported, engaged, and mission-driven.
• Ensures that the right executive and leadership team are in place, with complementary skills and necessary competencies represented, and develops top leaders.
• Champions and models the desired organizational culture and leads change with transparency and empathy.
• Champions talent management and staff development in collaboration with Human Resources.

External Affairs 

• Serves as the principal external representative of NCIA. Sets the tone and direction for relations with key external constituents, including people served and their constituents, the Board, agencies, and leaders in government and business.
• Oversees financial sustainability by setting metrics and driving accountability to achieve fundraising goals. 
• In partnership with the Foundation and development team, guides the development and implementation of a comprehensive fundraising strategy.
• Builds relationships with individual donors, foundations, government agencies, and corporate partners.
• Sets strategic marketing direction, protecting and building the NCIA brand. Collaborates with business partners to develop marketing, public relations, and advocacy initiatives.

Business Operations

• Develops systems to collect and analyze data and utilizes relevant data to drive strategy, monitor outcomes, and ensure accountability at all organizational levels.  
• Presents strategic and annual business plans to the Board of Directors for review, consideration, and acceptance.
• Ensures that proper systems and controls are in place to minimize risk to the organization.
• Ensures responsible budgeting and fiscal oversight.

Candidate Profile

While it is understood that no candidate will offer every desired skill, quality, and characteristic, the following offers a detailed, aspirational view of the ideal candidate profile:

Mission & Values Alignment

• Deep commitment to human services and the dignity of the people NCIA serves, including individuals with developmental disabilities, behavioral health needs, and complex life circumstances.
• Genuine empathy, humility, and belief in second chances; able to authentically represent NCIA’s mission externally.
• A servant-leader mindset—prioritizing service to staff, program participants, families, and community.
• Curious, adaptable, and solutions-oriented; able to “find a way to say ‘yes’” while maintaining rigor.
• Ideally brings a connection to Baltimore and Maryland, or a demonstrated commitment to embedding deeply in the community.

Sector & Systems Expertise

• Understanding of Medicaid waiver systems, DDA funding, and government-funded human services, ideally within Maryland or comparable states.
• Comfort engaging with state agencies, elected officials, and regulators; confident advocate and problem-solver in political and bureaucratic environments.
• Experience balancing mission impact with operational realities in nonprofit or mission-driven settings.

 Financial & Strategic Acumen

• Demonstrated financial literacy and discipline, including managing margins, cash flow, receivables, and long-term sustainability.
• Strategic thinker with a growth mindset—able to assess opportunity sets, manage risk, and scale responsibly.
• Experience leading organizations through complexity, growth, or turnaround, with an eye toward long-term resilience.

 Leadership & Culture Building

• Inspirational, steady, and emotionally intelligent leader who builds trust quickly and leads with compassion.
• Proven ability to empower and develop diverse teams; excels at connecting with teams, fostering collaboration across functions, and driving accountability.
• Demonstrated ability to partner with and successfully develop Boards of Directors.
• Transparent communicator; calm, decisive, and resilient in the face of uncertainty and change.
• Commitment to internal leadership development and succession planning.
• Authentic, accessible, and humble; maintains an open-door style.

External Presence & Relationship Building

• Comfortable serving as the public face and ambassador for NCIA; equally at ease with community members, staff, donors, and senior state officials.
• Strong relationship-builder who values partnerships and understands the importance of trust, visibility, and presence in the community.
• Capable of securing philanthropic gifts and cultivating corporate partnerships to support revenue diversification.

Compensation and Benefits 

Compensation for this role is expected to range from $250,000 - $360,000, with a 10% target bonus. Final compensation will be competitive and commensurate with experience. The position also includes a comprehensive benefits package.

LocationThe successful candidate will be based in, or willing to relocate to the Baltimore, Maryland area. This role is expected to be in-person and highly visible, with a regular presence at NCIA’s locations and throughout the community.

Contact 

DSG | Koya has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Cheryl Stevens and Claire Hunt. Express interest in this role by filling out our Talent Profile or emailing the search team directly at [email protected]. All inquiries and discussions are strictly confidential.

DSG | Koya is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.

About DSG | Koya

DSG | Koya, a DSG Global company, is the nation’s premier search firm dedicated to mission-driven leadership. Since its founding in 2004, DSG | Koya has had an exclusive focus on mission-driven clients and was founded on the belief that the right leader can transform an organization and have a deep and measurable impact on our world. DSG | Koya works with nonprofits & NGOs, responsible businesses, and social enterprises in local communities and around the world.

DSG Global is consistently recognized by Forbes on its top 10 list of “America’s Best Executive Recruiting Firms” and is an industry leader in recruiting transformational leaders for a changing world. The firm is deliberately different in its approach, with best-in-class teams who have decades of experience in cultivating inclusive leaders, understanding the dimensions of diversity, and building equitable teams.

Learn more about DSG | Koya via the firm's website.