Over the past year, EngAGE has been enjoying the benefits of working with Encore Fellow Michael Dowlan (see his bio below). We asked him a few questions about his work which he kindly answers here:
Please tell us about encore.org and the Encore Fellows program.
Encore Fellowships began with a pilot program of ten Fellows in 2009 in California’s Silicon Valley. Its purpose – to deliver a new source of talent from experienced professionals in their “encore” careers, to help social sector organizations build capacity, grow strategically, and ultimately have a bigger impact on critical social problems. Since then, thousands of Fellows have been matched with assignments in close to 50 metropolitan areas. The hiring organization pays a small stipend to the Fellow over the life of the project. Projects typically last six months to a year.
How did you become an Encore Fellow?
I heard about the Encore Fellows program on NPR. I was transitioning in my career and I thought it might be a great opportunity to experience the nonprofit sector, but more importantly a possible way for me to give back to communities. I was so busy during my career that I wasn’t able to volunteer at social-purpose organizations as much as I would have liked to. I found that the Encore Fellows program might be a great, new path for me. I applied for the Fellows program and was accepted. From there I was referred to another LA-based social-purpose organization, Social Venture Partners (SVP) which was the “boots on the ground” partner for Encore in the Los Angeles area. I interviewed with SVP and then was matched with EngAGE, Inc. several weeks later.
You’ve been assisting EngAGE as we expand our programming into other states. What particular expertise do you bring to your role?
I’ve had a varied 30+ year career in strategy, consulting, product innovation, communications and marketing at diverse organizations ranging from start-ups to small businesses and Fortune 100 companies. EngAGE was looking for someone to lead the development of a strategic plan, and I was one of several candidates for the project. While I didn’t have experience in the nonprofit sector, I did have experience working at many different types of companies. My significant background in strategic planning was an excellent fit. I’m also known nationally as a pacesetter in strategy, business planning and growth, change management, and known for being a very intuitive thinker – all characteristics that proved to be helpful for this project.
What observations do you have about EngAGE’s expansion plans?
It’s easy to assume that expansion is all about growing an organization’s footprint. One of the very first exercises I led with the leadership team was to define expansion more broadly, including factors such as infrastructure, processes, financial growth, and organizational talent. As a result of the work, we have identified 33 objectives (goals) from an original 600 ideas around leveraging strengths, creating new opportunities, implementing requisite infrastructure change, and creating a national organization beyond its current footprint in California, Oregon, and Minnesota.
If an organization would like the benefit of your assistance or that of another Encore Fellow, how can they make that happen?
Unfortunately, the Encore Fellowship program is a one-time opportunity, but I plan to stay connected to the Encore organization. If an organization is interested in hiring an Encore Fellow, they can contact the Encore Fellows program at https://encore.org/for-encore-leaders. If an organization is interested in hiring me, they can find more about me on LinkedIn and contact me at mj.dowlan@att.net.
Thank you for the interview, Michael, and thank you for the insights and ideas that you’ve shared with EngAGE!
Michael J. Dowlan, Encore Fellow – Mr. Dowlan is a strategy, consulting, product innovation, communications and marketing professional with over 30 years’ experience in diverse organizations ranging from start-ups to small businesses and Fortune 100 companies. He is considered by peers and influential business leaders as an intuitive strategist and national-level pacesetter known for first-to-market products and marketing initiatives, change management, building and empowering teams for unsurpassed excellence, and creating and leveraging winning alliances and partnerships. Mr. Dowlan thrives on analyzing and driving insights from complex problem-solving and opportunity ideation, industry-leading promotional campaigns, and increasing profitability through increased customer lifetime value, efficiencies, effectiveness, and revenue growth. He is listed among the top Chief Strategy and Product Development Officers on LinkedIn.
