Leadership in Crisis – Why I Refuse to Abandon Ship

Why I Refuse to Abandon Ship Executive Summary Across the United States, nonprofit leaders are resigning or being pushed out at record levels. Some departures stem from exhaustion and burnout; others from external pressures like the rollback of federal funding for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. The nonprofit sector is facing a storm of political interference, financial instability, and heightened community needs—and too many leaders are choosing to abandon ship.

I believe anyone can be a good leader when resources are abundant. The true test of leadership is not in calm waters, but in stormy seas. It is easy to steer a well-funded vessel; it takes a different kind of leader to remain at the helm when the tide turns. I know this firsthand. At ESD Global, I chose not to walk away when funding shifted. Instead, I donated my salary back to the organization, reaffirming my role as captain of a mission still sailing forward. This paper explores current trends of leadership turnover, why so many are leaving, and why I chose to stay.

The Current Trend: Leaders Are Leaving in Record Numbers The data is clear: - In early 2025, CEO resignations hit historic highs, with 860 nonprofit and government CEOs stepping down in just four months, a 15% increase from 2024.

Nearly 90% of nonprofit executives report burnout, citing rising demand for services, soaring operating costs, and diminishing resources.

Federal funding cuts are destabilizing entire organizations. In 2021, $267 billion in government grants sustained 12.8 million nonprofit jobs. Those funds are now shrinking or disappearing.

I see this trend not only in the headlines but also in my peers—many who, under enormous pressure, choose resignation over resilience.

The Political Earthquake: DEI Rollbacks and Federal Cuts The leadership exodus is not happening in a vacuum. The rollback of DEI has accelerated instability:

Executive Order 14151 (Jan. 2025) ended all federal DEI mandates and funding.

Universities, nonprofits, and agencies lost millions overnight. The University of Texas– San Antonio lost $8 million in grants tied to DEI research.

PBS eliminated its entire DEI office, dismissing leadership to comply with federal orders.

University of Virginia’s president resigned rather than dismantle DEI efforts under political pressure.

HHS slashed $122 million in DEI and LGBTQ+ research funding, triggering resignations of senior officials.

The Human Rights Campaign cut 20% of its workforce, including DEI program staff.

These rollbacks don’t just erase programs. They undercut missions, demoralize staff, and push leaders into untenable moral positions. Many are “jumping ship” because they feel they cannot steer against such political winds.

The Question: Are Leaders Abandoning Their Ships? It raises a difficult question: Are these resignations acts of principle, or acts of surrender?

Some are pushed out, victims of political agendas. Some are burned out, after years of holding together fragile infrastructures. Some are walking away, unwilling to lead without resources. And yet, the communities these organizations serve cannot afford for leaders to leave. The need has never been greater.

My Experience: Choosing to Stay At ESD Global, I faced similar pressures. Like many, I could have stepped down when resources tightened and political climates shifted. But I chose otherwise.

I donated my salary back to the organization—not because it was easy, but because I could not imagine letting the mission falter. ESD Global equips communities around the world with Empowerment Self-Defense (ESD), a tool proven to prevent violence and save lives. To me, this is not just a program; it is a vessel carrying hope, dignity, and safety.

A good captain does not abandon their ship when the storm rises. That is not leadership—that is retreat. My choice to stay was a declaration: the mission matters more than my comfort. And because of that, we are still sailing.

Everyone Can Lead, But Few Stay the Course I have learned this: - With adequate funding, a supportive board, and political cover, many people can succeed as leaders.

But when those resources are stripped away, only those with true commitment and resilience will stay.

Leadership is not just about vision. It is about sacrifice, moral clarity, and persistence when everything around you is urging you to quit.

The nonprofit world is now revealing who leads because of resources—and who leads because of mission.

Recommendations for Resilient Leadership To help more leaders stay the course, I recommend:

1. Diversify funding streams to avoid single-point failure from federal rollbacks.

2. Strengthen boards as partners, not just overseers—engage them in advocacy and fundraising.

3. Prioritize leader well-being to combat burnout, with sabbaticals, peer networks, and coaching.

4. Center mission and values so leaders are less swayed by political headwinds.

5. Encourage courage. We must cultivate leaders who do not abandon ship at the first sign of crisis.

Conclusion Nonprofit leadership is under siege. DEI rollbacks, funding cuts, and political interference are testing the sector like never before. Many leaders are choosing to step down. But I have chosen differently. At ESD Global, I proved that leadership is not about comfort, it is about commitment.

Anyone can be a good leader when resources abound. But in times of scarcity, only those willing to sacrifice, adapt, and stand firm will keep the mission afloat. I chose to remain at the helm. The ship still sails.