Training

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Notes from the Field

 

MICHAEL DAVIDSON

3647 Broadway, Apt 10 B
New York, NY 10031
(347) 431-9452

midavidson@aol.com

"My goal is to support community leaders in the nonprofit sector by helping them to strengthen and expand their organizations-providing strategic guidance, collaborative problem solving and hands-on support."

Michael Davidson has over 20 years experience in nonprofit management as a Board President, Manager, Consultant and Attorney. His broad experience includes the successful resolution of complex legal matters, leadership of nonprofit boards, management of a city-wide community service program, and interim management of organizations during periods of change.

He is currently the Chair of Governance Matters, a membership organization of consultants, foundations, nonprofit organizations and corporations, dedicated to improving nonprofit board governance.

He has provided board training and retreat facilitation for a wide range of nonprofit organizations and management support organizations. He is currently the lead consultant for the Linkages program of the United Way of New York City which trains prospective board members. He is also a member of the faculties of the Milano School of Nonprofit Management of New School University and of the Center for Philanthropy at New York University.

He holds a JD from Columbia Law School, an M.Ph. (Anthropology) from Yale University, and served as Peace Corps Volunteer in the Philippines and as an Assistant District Attorney in New York County.

He brings experience and expertise along with hands-on assistance that can help organizations achieve their vision.

 

Management and Consulting Experience

Board leadership and development

  • Conducted public training on board management at the Attorney General's Charities Symposium, the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, The Support Center for Nonprofit Management, Interfaith Hospital, TA Clearinghouse, UJA/Federation, United Way Linkages program, Better Bronx for Youth, Big Brothers Big Sisters, U.S. State Department international NGO orientation, and Jewish Community Centers of North America Biennial Conference.
  • Led planning and board development retreats for diverse organizations, including The Sabin Vaccine Institute, Kids in Distressed Situations, East Harlem Urban Center, The National Puerto Rican Forum, Puerto Rican Association for Human Development, Association of Hispanic Mental Health Professionals, The New Jersey Medical School, New York Chinese Cultural Center, Teatro Circulo, Friends of Materials of the Arts, and CDI/Manhattan Comprehensive High School.
  • Served as chair of Governance Matters, a volunteer organization dedicated to improving nonprofit board governance. Led the Board Leadership Project

Transition management and executive coaching

  • Provided counsel to the executive director and board of Youth Action Programs in effecting a transition from their parent organization.
  • Chaired board of the Society for the Advancement of Judaism through a leadership transition and served as coordinating chair for capital campaign.
  • Provided management coaching for the executive director of Future Possibilities and assisted the founder in transitioning to a board leadership position.
  • Facilitated the transition to staff management of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre, pending recruitment of a new executive director.
  • Served as chairman of the board of the West Side One Stop for Coordinated Senior Services during a period of board transition and organizational growth.
  • Lead the majority coalition of a fractious community school board in selecting and appointing a new community superintendent.
  • Provided counsel and conflict resolution to the executive director and board of the Arab-American Family Support Center.

Management

  • Interim Deputy Director, Arab-American Family Support Center

Provided management consultation and development assistance to the Arab-American Family Support Center to expand fund raising efforts and develop programs to respond to the needs of the Arab-American community in the wake of the September 11 attacks.

  • Interim Managing Director, Lark Theatre Company
Coordinated an administrative reorganization to allow the founding director to build organizational capacity by transferring management responsibilities.
  • Deputy Director, Common Cents, New York

    • Responsible for financial management, facilities renovation, program design, staff supervision and community relations
    • Expanded the Penny Harvest from 150 to 500 schools through school recruitment and development of stakeholder relations
    • Managed the Common Cents Tonathons, involving hundreds of students, teachers, parents and community volunteers sorting over 100 tons of pennies.

Affiliations

Milano School of Nonprofit Management. Instructor in Technical Assistance Consulting

Board Service

Community School Board Three, Vice Chair

One Stop Coordinated Senior Services, Chair

Society for the Advancement of Judaism, Chair and Capital Campaign Chair

Governance Matters, Chair

Employment

Consultant, Nonprofit Management Services, 2000-present

Affiliated Consultant, The Support Center for Nonprofit Management

Co-owner, Ruby et Violette, New York, 2001-2006 (retail bakery)

Deputy Director, Common Cents, New York, 1997-2000

Litigation Partner, Jacob, Medinger and Finnegan, New York, 1981-1997

Court-Appointed Mediator, United States District Court, S.D.N.Y., 1995-1997

Senior Trial Counsel, New York County District Attorney, 1975-1981

Counsel, New York State Moreland Act Comm. on Nursing Homes, 1974-1975

Assistant Corporation Counsel, Housing Litigation Bureau, 1973-1974

Assistant Professor of Anthropology, Fordham University, 1969-1975

Peace Corps Volunteer, United States Peace Corps, Philippines, 1963-1966

Education

Columbia Law School, J.D., 1973

Yale University, M.Ph. (Anthropology). 1969

University of Hawaii, M.A. (Anthropology). 1967

State University of New York at Oyster Bay, B.S. (Mathematics). 1962