The good news is that many land trusts have grown a lot over the last 10 years and they have more employees and far more capacity. The bad news is that many of us spend all of our time developing essential conservation and fundraising skills, but we neglect to dive deeply into organizational development and leadership skills. Executive Directors (EDs) become burned out. Other employees feel less engaged. Friction increases and communication withers. The result is often more people feeling like they have never been busier. There is an art and a science to organizational development and leadership. This workshop will both teach and inspire. Two veteran land trust leaders and colleagues will provide practical advice, a real life model and lessons learned relative to developing and retaining empowered, engaged and exceptional senior staff. In 1996 Chagrin River Land Conservancy (now known as Western Reserve or WRLC) hired its first employee and executive director (co-presenter Rich Cochran). Today, WRLC has more than 50 employees, annual revenues of more than $25 million and it controls and operates several subsidiaries and related organizations. Cochran remains the executive director/CEO. After two attempts (one failed and one successful), WRLC created a highly effective management and leadership model that includes a management team that is completely independent of the executive director/CEO. Presenter Stella Dilik served as the first chair of the management team in 2021. This workshop will be highly interactive and will touch on topics such as leadership, organizational development, succession planning and governance.