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Testimonials

“From our first meeting, it was clear to me that Tom Colligan was a well organized and knowledgeable professional. He has experience in supporting the elected leadership, managing a staff, working with contractors, and in general getting things done. Tom is a high energy person, who seems to be constantly working. On the rare occasion when he doesn’t know the answer, he has valuable contacts that can be called on for advice in their area of expertise. In summary, Tom Colligan is an exceptional person who has been invaluable in meeting the goals that we wanted to achieve, and I can honestly recommend him without reservation.”

Bruce MacGunnigle, Governor General

GENERAL SOCIETY OF MAYFLOWER DESCENDANTS


. 

“Tom approaches his work through a systematic, researched based, and experience proven process. Two descriptors, leader and problem solver come to mind when I reflect about Tom. Throughout our tenure of work Tom has consistently ‘righted’ the organization and guided it through a labyrinth of decisions. I found myself learning from his experience and thinking deeply about the integration of his concepts and methods into my own work.  In the 21st century, we have all embraced the image and concept of being a change agent; however Tom truly is a change agent. To work with Tom is an adventure of movement and journey of paths leading to a better place. His healthy sense of humor and strong work ethic motivatees you to travel the adventure and enjoy it. Our organization was in a ‘not so good place,’ today we are significantly better off; I squarely attribute this to Tom’s work and leadership.”

Janice Philpot, Board Vice President

ELIZABETH PEABODY HOUSE


“From my perspective, I know that we are handing off an organization that is a better one than we handed to you in your interim role as Executive Director. And, like many of the Board members, I am very clear that the improved condition of the Gables organization is due to the experience, insight, and hard work that you brought to the interim role. Thank you.

“What has been the most fascinating for me to learn is how troubled the organization really was. There was an illusion that the previous Executive Director was a good business manager, but you quickly showed us that was not the case.  In addition to dealing with the business issues, I have been very impressed in how you have given staff members a voice with the Board. I look forward to the staff member presentations at the Board Members. Not only do I learn new things about the Gables, but I am impressed with the quality of the people who work there. Tom, the standards that you set and your knowledge of running a non-profit has been priceless in helping the Board better understand what we needed in a new Executive Director.”

Michele McMahon, Chair

Strategic Planning Committee
THE HOUSE OF THE SEVEN GABLES SETTLEMENT ASSOCIATION


“Tom is a seasoned non-profit executive who very effectively served as interim executive director of our organization. He has great judgment and leadership skills, he works with board and staff collegially and well. He led our organization forward during our transition, he didn't let us simply tread water. Through his efforts, we are a better organization, in better shape than he found us, ready to move forward.”

Don Hodgeman
THE HOUSE OF THE SEVEN GABLES SETTLEMENT ASSOCIATION


“Tom came to our organization as an interim Executive Director nine months ago. During his tenure he has consistently exceeded our expectations. When he arrived he quickly surveyed the organization meeting with employees and trustees. Sharing his results with both groups he prioritized issues that needed to be addressed quickly and did so in an efficient yet sensitive manner. The result is that our organization is in a much better position than when he joined us. He has transformed our staff into an energized team that enjoys working together, communicates more effectively and is achieving its true potential. Tom is a savvy businessman who knows how to listen, communicate effectively and make sound business decisions. He also understands how non-profit organizations work, their funding needs and how to tap into sources for those funds. Perhaps most importantly he knows how to enable people to be more effective in their roles therefore creating a better organization. He has brought new life, expertise and discipline to our organization. He is a savvy businessman who, understands non-profits and is action oriented. He gets things done and they are done well.”

Richard Lindeman, President

THE HOUSE OF THE SEVEN GABLES SETTLEMENT ASSOCIATION



“Tom Colligan served as Interim President at United South End Settlements (USES) in Boston from fall of 2007 until January of 2008, reporting directly to the Board of Directors. Tom is a very astute, tech-savvy business person with a long nonprofit background. I found him to be a very quick study, very understanding of the needs of a nonprofit, and yet practical and businesslike about solutions. Tom has extensive experience in both development and nonprofit administration, analyzing agencies and their needs, and is good at thinking "outside the box" in terms of solutions to a myriad of problems faced by most nonprofits. He is versatile and able to work in a variety of settings. Best of all, he is a good listener, communicator, and organizer. I worked closely with him as a member of the senior directors' team and was impressed with how quickly he could come into an agency and assess it. He is sharp, perceptive, tireless, and always interested in the work that he is performing regardless of which nonprofit area it is. I learned a great deal from working with Tom and am sure others could as well. I highly recommend Tom Colligan as an Interim Executive Director or President of a nonprofit or for a similar consultant-type position.”

Kyle Ingrid Johnson, Senior Director

Art, Education, and Community Services

UNITED SOUTH END SETTLEMENT ASSOCIATION


“Tom served as interim executive director of a mid-sized settlement house after the somewhat unexpected departure of the ED. I served on the board committee that selected and retained his services. He addressed critical issues of personnel, finances and organizational culture immediately in a way that garnered the respect of senior staff. He conducted a thorough organizational assessment that provided important information to the board and the incoming president/CEO. This report is now serving as the basis of our strategic planning. The expense of interim management was unexpected and unbudgeted, but was a very important investment in the future of our community-based organization.”

Ann McQueen, Senior Program Officer

THE BOSTON FOUNDATION


“Tom Colligan was professional, knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with. His followthrough was excellent - he kept us on our toes.”

Joyce Antine, Director of Development

OLD COLONY YMCA


“Tom was a creative problem solver and great team player. I have known him to be a man of the highest integrity. I would not hesitate to hire Tom for his consulting expertise.”


David Anderson, Senior VP Programs & Services

ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION


“Tom is highly skilled at working in a very strategic and purposeful way to reach goals. He always amazed me with the creative and unique ways in which he looked at situations and came up with solutions. I enjoyed working for Tom because I was always challenged to be my best, was given opportunities to advance and try new things and felt valued and appreciated.”

Stacie Nicholas, Director of Operations
NORTHWEST CONNECTICUT YMCA


“It is my pleasure to recommend Tom Colligan. Tom is exceptionally diligent and hard working and has great communication skills. He demonstrated his oral articulateness in the presentations he gave in behalf of the YMCA. He is very good at working with different personalities and brings out the best in people. He is exceptionally nice and considerate. Tom is a well disciplined, and has all the qualities it takes to be successful.”


Candi Crimmins, VP Public Relations and Marketing

GREATER GAINSEVILLE YMCA


“Thomas is a creative problem solver, well versed in traditional fund development practices but able to use new tools and analyses to access new donors and develop new strategies to advance campaigns.”


Mark Johnson, Sr. VP Institutional Advancement

GREATER GAINSEVILLE YMCA


“I just wanted to thank you for the very thorough and candid IED report to the BOD.  It is some of the finest work I have seen in 20 years.”


Robb Zarges

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

“Your knowledge of running a non-profit

has been priceless”

THE HOUSE OF THE SEVEN GABLES

SETTLEMENT ASSOCIATION

a creative

    problem solver

I just wanted

        to thank you

brings out the best in people

exceptionally

diligent

professional,

    knowledgeable

very strategic and purposeful

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garnered the respect

of senior staff

sharp, perceptive, tireless

extensive

experience

efficient yet sensitive

creating a better

    organization

consistently

    exceeded

        our expectations

a seasoned

non-profit executive

very

impressed

experience, insight,

   and hard work

leading to

      a better place

invaluable

in meeting the goals

high energy person

knowledgeable

professional

a very astute, tech-savvy

business person

very important investment

leader and

problem solver

priceless

consulting expertise