Eric
Stevens Is Leaving Courage Center
by Lance
H. Hegland
Eric Stevens,
CEO of Courage Center for the past six years, recently resigned
his position in order to continue his life's journey. He has been
vital to the Center's incorporation of assistive technology, development
of numerous community outreach activities and resulting partnerships,
as well as its focus on fitness and wellness. In 2003, Twin Cities
Business Monthly ranked Courage Center as having the second most-respected
reputation among nonprofit organizations in the state, behind only
the Mayo Clinic. Also in 2003, Courage Center received the Secretary
of [the US Department of] Labor's New Freedom Initiative Award.
Stevens announced
his decision to the Board of Directors, staff, and volunteers on
November 29; his last day will be December 31. "Working
as a leader in this field has been my life's work–and continues
to inspire me. It has given me the opportunity to contribute to our
community and to be part of the healthy development of children,
families and people with disabilities. The Courage Center is a wonderful
organization. Our mission, the people I work with daily, and the
generous, selfless support that we receive from thousands of donors
and volunteers have inspired me and motivated me to give all I could," he
said in an announcement to family, friends, and colleagues. Among
a host of his fondest Courage memories are the grand opening of the
renovated Courage Residence, their 75th Anniversary Celebration,
and receiving the New Freedom Initiative Award.
"I have come to a point in my career and in my life where I
feel in my heart that it is time to move on to something else. As
much as the opportunities and challenges still stimulate me day in
and day out, I want to step away from the increasingly complex non-profit
CEO’s responsibilities - including the challenges that have
been amplified in the past several years by government funding cuts.
I'm excited and ready to move onto the next phase of my life,” he
continued. Although last August marked his 25th year providing non-profit
leadership, Stevens has no plans for retiring quite yet! Stevens,
an adventurer at heart, quoted Bob Dylan; "He who is not busy
being born is busy dying." During the first few months after
leaving Courage Center, he plans a "personal sabbatical" for
relaxing a bit, spending time with family and friends, and considering
his next opportunities, which will likely include additional time
with his wife Caroline, wilderness backpacking, canoeing, kayaking,
cycling, and gardening. Potential professional treks include teaching,
executive and personal coaching, and perhaps writing.
Stevens has become well-known throughout the Twin Cities as a professional
development coach in the areas of leadership development, strategic
planning, business development, marketing and board development.
He is viewed by many business leaders as a strategic and entrepreneurial
leader, a visionary who can drive successful organizational change
and growth. He has served on various nonprofit boards and actively
participated within many community and professional groups, including
the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, United Way Council of Agency
Executives, Minneapolis Rotary Club, and the Minneapolis Club.
He has earned
degrees from New York's Queens College (bachelor’s
degree in economics), the Leadership Institute of Seattle (master’s
degree in organizational leadership/applied behavioral science),
and Central Washington State University (master’s degree in
early childhood education). He was also a Bush Fellow in early childhood
education at the University of Minnesota.
The Board of
Directors has appointed Nancy Larkin as interim CEO while they
search for Steven’s successor. “I feel that
Courage is in excellent hands. We spent the past year developing
a new strategic plan that I believe positions Courage well for the
future–and I am proud to have been one of the architects of
that direction. I also have total confidence in the inordinately
talented group of staff and volunteers who work here, as well as
a great Board of Directors,” Stevens stated.
Larkin joined Courage Center last January, after serving as the
executive director for Minneapolis' Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute
since 1998. There, she successfully provided leadership in the development
of an integrated rehabilitation system in four metropolitan Allina
Hospitals. She also participated in the transition of the Sister
Kenny Board of Trustees from an operational leadership team to a
charitable board. Her efforts helped increase overall patient admissions,
market share, and profitability plus furthered excellence and innovation
in rehabilitative services. Since joining Courage Center, she has
served as the vice president of healthcare development, where she
has been responsible for healthcare planning, business development,
growth of healthcare outpatient services, as well as partnering with
others in building a community-wide coordinated system of care for
people with disabilities. Larkin has also served on the Center's
Executive Management Team, which is responsible for implementing
strategic direction for the organization.
