Michael Davidson has over 20 years of experience in nonprofit organizations as a Manager, Board Chair and Consultant.  He has successfully coached the boards of more than 50 organizations. He has also had careers in anthropology, education and law.

Board leadership and development
Leads planning and board development retreats for organizations in all sectors, including youth programs, employment services, theatre, dance, arts, mental health and disabilities, education, senior services, health issue foundations, religious organizations, community service centers, professional organizations, membership organizations, and legal services

Regularly conducts public training on board management for governmental agencies, foundations, bar associations, fundraising professionals, technical assistance providers and umbrella organizations

Transition Management
Helped a youth service group in the transition from a parent organization
Guided a synagogue through a leadership transition and capital campaign
Provided coaching for organizational founders in the transfer of authority
Led the transition planning process for hiring new executive directors
Designed and facilitated training for boards in fundraising skills
Guided boards making the transition from “founding” to “governing” boards
Assisted organizations in recruiting and organizing their boards

Management
Common Cents, Deputy Director
Financial, office and program management.  Grew the Penny Harvest from 150 to 500 schools and managed events involving hundreds of students, teachers, parents and community volunteers
Arab-American Family Support Center, Interim Deputy Director
Expanded fund raising and programs in the wake of the September 11 attacks.
Lark Theatre Company, Interim Managing Director
Managed an administrative reorganization to provide management support for the founding Artistic Director

Affiliations
Chair of Governance Matters
Lead Trainer for the Linkages Program of the United Way of New York City, training young professionals for board service
Member of the Selection Committee for the New York Times Awards of Excellence in Nonprofit Management
Instructor in Technical Assistance Consulting,  Milano School of Nonprofit Management

Board Service
Community School Board Three, Vice Chair
One Stop Coordinated Senior Services, Chair
Society for the Advancement of Judaism, Chair

Employment
Consultant, 2000-present
Owner and business manager, Ruby et Violette Bakery, New York, 2001-2006
Deputy Director, Common Cents, New York, 1997-2000
Litigation Partner, Jacob, Medinger and Finnegan, New York, 1981-1997
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, 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
Stuyvesant High School, 1958