Chief Executive Officer

Status: Full-time, exempt employee

Reports to: Board of Directors

Location: Washington, DC

Salary: $210,000 to $230,000

Deadline: Best consideration by mid-October. Resume reviews begin immediately.

About Cornerstones

Together with the community, Cornerstones promotes stability, empowerment, and hope through support, advocacy, and community-building for individuals and families in need. For 55 years, the organization has served northwestern Fairfax County and eastern Loudoun County, serving those in need of food, shelter, affordable housing, and quality childcare. With deep partnerships across sectors, Cornerstones delivers programs and services while also working toward long-term systems change. Local governments and faith communities count on Cornerstones as an anchor human services organization and trusted community voice.

From its roots as a grassroots interfaith organization focused on affordable housing, Cornerstones has grown into one of the region’s most impactful nonprofits. Last year, it delivered nearly 26,000 instances of support to individuals and families, connecting them to services directly and through a strong network of partners. Cornerstones has a vast array of programming designed to meet neighbors where they are. Their approach combines direct services, integrated case management, community organizing, and advocacy, while fostering a network of partnerships throughout the region to ensure residents have access to a range of necessary supports. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cornerstones’ budget and staff have grown tremendously; a new CEO will focus on building internal capacity and sustainable funding.

Cornerstones’ programmatic impact includes:

• Affordable, high-quality childcare and out-of-school-time programming at the Laurel Learning Center, serving families since 1977.
• The FREE from Hunger Center in Loudoun County, a 10,000-square-foot warehouse and food distribution hub.
• Housing services, including emergency shelter at Embry Rucker Community Shelter.
• Development and management of affordable housing through Cornerstones Housing Corporation, which provides below-market homes in Fairfax and Loudoun Counties.

Cornerstones helps thousands of community members build their paths toward long-term stability. Learn more at www.cornerstonesva.org.

Leadership Opportunity

Cornerstones seeks a strategic, experienced leader to succeed Kerrie Wilson, who will retire after 25 years as CEO. Cornerstones is a team of more than 120, with an executive leadership team that includes a Chief Financial and Operating Officer, Chief Development and Engagement Officer, Executive Vice President (EVP) of Governance and Strategic Initiatives, EVP of Housing and Community Services, and a Strategic Advisor for Community Self-Sufficiency. The CEO reports to a 23-person Board, comprised of representatives from houses of worship and the broader community.

The incoming CEO will bring a deep commitment to mission and strong business acumen to guide the organization through a shifting landscape while cultivating new revenue sources. Under their leadership, Cornerstones will continue to work with public and private partners to deliver new affordable housing projects in Fairfax and Loudoun counties, as well as a new childcare center at Fairfax County’s Government Center. The new CEO will understand the value Cornerstones brings to Northern Virginia and be positioned to capitalize on Cornerstones’ strengths while building its capacity to continue to scale and innovate as one of Northern Virginia’s strongest nonprofits.

There is an acute need for Cornerstones’ services in the community, as residents face rising costs, job losses, and economic uncertainty. Additionally, shifts in federal and local funding, changes in grant structures, and the end of pandemic-era relief funds present new challenges for nonprofits. The next CEO must be skilled at forging effective partnerships, scaling operations, and leading with flexibility, clarity, and compassion. A strong communicator and public ambassador, they will build trust with diverse stakeholders and lead a collaborative, committed staff team.

Cornerstones is well-positioned to navigate a changing funding landscape, with a projected FY26 budget of $16M, strong community backing, and a strategic plan in place through 2028. Roughly half of its revenue comes from local, state, and federal government sources, and is balanced by philanthropy and earned income. The next CEO will ensure Cornerstones’ financial sustainability by setting plans that are aligned with sound fiscal practices, expanding donor relationships, and strengthening the revenue base. A skilled networker and savvy communicator, the new CEO will cultivate strong relationships and close gifts from individual donors, foundations, and corporations.

Position Summary

The CEO works with the Board of Directors and the staff to provide leadership, vision, and strategic direction. They are responsible for the successful management of the organization, implementing policies, managing the organization’s programs and operations, and representing the organization in the region. A consensus-oriented and collaborative leader, the CEO models an inclusive and positive organizational culture that extends across the staff, board, and volunteers. Specific areas of responsibility include:

Strategy, Vision, and Leadership

• Lead a forward-looking organizational strategy that aligns with Cornerstones’ mission, values, evolving community needs, and fiscal priorities.
• Oversee the design and outcomes of programs and services that support Cornerstones’ mission and maintain its identity as a leading human services organization in the region.
• Partner with the Board of Directors and executive team to set strategic priorities, monitor progress toward goals, and adapt plans in response to internal and external challenges.
• Set annual financial goals in partnership with the staff and Board. Oversee Cornerstones’ financial health, including monitoring revenue and expenses, and forecasting multi-year projections that provide a foundation for programmatic strategy.
• Connect fundraising strategy and donor requests to Cornerstone’s long-term vision, ensuring that revenue generation supports strategic priorities and mission impact.
• Provide inspirational leadership that galvanizes staff, board members, partners, and community stakeholders around a shared vision for Cornerstones’ future.

Advocacy and External Affairs

• Serve as Cornerstones’ primary spokesperson, articulating the human service needs of the region and advancing Cornerstones’ corresponding philosophy, policies, and programs.
• Publicize the activities and goals of the organization; represent the programs and mission of the agency to agencies, elected officials, nonprofits, faith communities, and the public.
• Cultivate positive relationships with leaders at other key organizations in the business, public, and nonprofit sectors in the region.
• Represent Cornerstones by participating in key associations and organizations, serving on committees and advisory groups, and speaking in public settings.

Financial Sustainability and Resource Development

• Direct long-range financial analysis, review trends, and engage the Board in discussions about financial planning, including the replenishment of operating reserves.
• With the Development team and Board, advance annual and long-term donor stewardship plans that cultivate support from major donors, individuals, foundations, and corporate sponsors. Steward and solicit major gifts.
• Guide the budgeting process, monitor income and expenditures, integrate departmental leaders’ input into budgetary assumptions, support long-range budget planning and analysis, and ensure grant awards are administered following funders’ regulations.
• Develop policies that ensure the capital and financial assets of the organization are protected, adequately maintained, and not subject to unnecessary risk.

Organizational Development

• Lead and support a high-performing executive team, ensuring clear roles, accountability, collaboration, and professional development.
• Champion a culture of inclusion, integrity, and accountability throughout the organization.
• Align data-driven program design and delivery with strategic goals and community priorities.
• Strengthen internal systems and processes to support effective service delivery, team cohesion, and continuous learning.
• Cultivate an ambitious and high-caliber staff by supporting overall talent management and development efforts, including internal professional pathways.
• Enhance internal communications to promote transparency, alignment, and effective information sharing across all levels of the organization.
• Ensure Cornerstones maintains policies, procedures, and technology to facilitate effective workflow, decision-making, and communication across departments.

Experience, Skills, and Qualities

The Board seeks a skilled executive who brings a record of successful senior leadership experience to this role. We encourage applications from a wide range of candidates, and recognize that the most competitive applicants will have many, but likely not all, of the following personal and professional experiences, skills, and qualities:

• 10+ years of leadership roles within nonprofit, public sector, or small business settings.
• A mission-driven mindset, with passion for working with individuals and families in need.
• Management skills of fostering a culture of accountability, successful delegation, high performance, effective internal communication, and change management.
• Excellent organizational management acumen, including experience with budgeting, financial management, human resources, contracts, and legal compliance.
• A significant supervisory record, including leading an executive team, coaching leaders, developing high-performing teams, and setting an inclusive, positive workplace culture.
• Experience with fundraising, particularly the ability to cultivate and steward mutually-rewarding and long-term relationships.
• Demonstrated success in mobilizing coalitions, as well as strategizing and securing support for new projects, partnerships, and funding relationships.
• Record stewarding community relationships: aptitude and appetite for active participation in civic organizations.
• Polished and persuasive written and verbal communication skills. Comfort engaging with a wide variety of stakeholders in many different settings with confidence, integrity, cultural awareness, and curiosity.
• Track record of building authentic relationships among a broad range of external audiences (e.g., elected officials, agency leaders, residents, community partners, funders).

Considered desirable:

• Experience with affordable housing development and management.
• A history of working on programs that serve low-income populations.
• Familiarity with grants management, data-driven program evaluation, and quality assurance.
• Demonstrated experience working effectively with a Board of Directors, including engaging them in fundraising opportunities, participating in recruitment, and orienting members to organizational culture, programs, and communities.

Location and Travel

Cornerstones’ headquarters is located in Reston, Virginia. Staff work a variety of schedules, with flexibility for hybrid and remote work. The CEO role will require regular in-person presence at Cornerstones’ office and program locations in Fairfax and Loudoun County, as well as meetings with partners and funders across the region.

Compensation

The budgeted salary is $210,000 to $230,000 with a competitive benefits package that includes employer-matched retirement savings, health, dental, and vision insurance, and paid time off.

Application Process

Cornerstones is conducting this search in partnership with Good Insight, a national executive search firm serving the nonprofit sector. Interested applicants should upload a resume and a detailed cover letter to www.good-insight.org/careers.

Resume reviews begin immediately. For best consideration, please apply by mid-October. Early applications are encouraged due to the pace of the search. Please direct confidential inquiries to Kate Dykgraaf and Tej Pikle at Cornerstones@good-insight.org.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Cornerstones is an equal opportunity employer and considers all applications without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status.