The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) is the leading interventional cardiology professional medical society.
SCAI is the home of Interventional Cardiology, and its voice represents Interventional Cardiology nationally and globally. SCAI has more than 4,500 members in 70 countries, and the organization’s revenue budget is in the $11M range. The organization is governed by a 16-member Board of Trustees, and approximately 35 professionals serve the organization from its Washington, DC, headquarters.
The Challenge
SCAI had been losing funds for several years but had started to recover financially. We also learned that SCAI had experienced multiple leadership transitions over a relatively short period.
SCAI had engaged an external Interim Executive Director to manage the organization, and a new search, conducted by Sterling Martin Associates, was initiated.
SCAI had recently completed a five-year Strategic Plan to guide the organization, a plan that included five core values and outlines six overarching goals. We were told that the Plan had energized SCAI leadership and staff. We would be seeking a new executive who could align with the Plan’s goals and who could also build relationships with key constituents, including members and donors. We would also be seeking candidates with superior communications abilities as the Executive Director would be the face of the organization. Most importantly, we would be seeking candidates who could “right the ship” and provide the leadership continuity that had been missing from the organization.
The Solution
Before SCAI, she served as Executive Director for The Obesity Society where she reported directly to the Board of Directors. When she joined the Society, the previous Executive Director had been abruptly let go, and the organization was experiencing financial issues as well as staff insecurity. Francesca successfully improved key metrics and grew the organization steadily each year. She had also worked closely with the board to develop and implement its 5-year Strategic Plan, resulting in increased awareness for TOS.
After receiving her Bachelor’s degree, Francesca immediately entered the association sector. Over time, she served in a number of association roles, including the National Association of Broadcasters, the Cellular Telecommunications Internet Association, the Life & Health Insurance Foundation for Education (LIFE) where she was promoted to Vice President & Chief Operating Officer. Because Francesca had experience turning two organizations around and owing to her leadership and management style, we felt that she would be a perfect fit for SCAI.
Francesca holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Dickinson College. She also earned an MBA from The Johns Hopkins University, and she also holds the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation.
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