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Red Queen Group, LLC

The name is borrowed from evolutionary biology. The Red Queen hypothesis holds that in a changing system, survival requires continuous adaptation—an organization does not hold its position by standing still. Most nonprofit leaders already know this; few are given the time, the outside perspective, or the evidence to act on it. The practice concentrates on the moments when adaptation is hardest: a founder or long-tenured executive departs, a funding model stops working, a board recognizes it has outgrown the way it governs, or a strategic plan needs to become something the staff will actually run.

The work takes two forms. Consulting engagements—including organizational assessment, strategic planning, executive search and transition, governance training, and retreat facilitation—are scoped to the organization and delivered directly. These begin with evidence rather than impression. Findings are built from rigorous document review and stakeholder interviews, resulting in recommendations that are sequenced rather than simply ranked. This ensures an organization knows not only what to do, but what to do first and what should not be started yet.

Gilles Mesrobian founded the practice after more than 26 years in the nonprofit sector, including over 20 years as an Executive Director. In addition to his consulting work, he is a member of the faculty at Bard College’s MBA in Sustainability program and a Senior Associate with the Support Center for Nonprofit Management. A BoardSource Certified Governance Trainer, Gilles is also a regular contributor to the Chronicle of Philanthropy, sharing insights on leadership, transition, and organizational health."It takes all the running you can do to keep in the same place." The Red Queen, Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking Glass.”

Gilles Mesrobian

In addition to his role at RQG, is a Senior Associate at the Support Center for Nonprofit Management, and a faculty member of Bard College’’s MBA in Sustainability Program where he teaches leadership development in Sustainability. He is also a member of the National Training Faculty for NeighborWorks America and on the training faculty for the New York Foundation for the Arts.  Gilles brings over 33 years senior management experience in the nonprofit arena, with nearly 20 years as an Executive  Director. His consulting experience covers a broad range of organizational work in the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors including executive leadership transition, organizational assessment, executive search, strategic planning, leadership development, retreats and trainings with a focus on sustainability. Gilles has facilitated several leadership training programs including the Support Center’s Trajectory Leadership Program, a yearlong cohort-learning program for Executive Directors, as well as the CT Council of Family Service Agency’s yearlong leadership program, both of which are funded through the American Express Leadership Institute. Gilles is a BoardSource Certified Governance Trainer and a guest facilitator for BoardSource’s webinar series, as well as the Chronicle of Philanthropy’s Live Discussion series. Gilles is also a Certified Governance trainer through BoardSource.