Executive Director

Executive Director Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship

Effingham, Illinois (hybrid)

The Moran Company is pleased to partner with the Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship to recruit the organization’s Executive Director.

Founded in 2010, the Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship (MIE) partners with communities throughout the United States to establish and maintain quality CEO (Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities) programs. Headquartered in Effingham, Illinois, MIE grew out of a movement that began in 2008, when educator Craig Lindvahl—now known as the "Architect of CEO"—facilitated the very first CEO class with 20 high school students. That class proved powerful, and neighboring communities soon adopted the model, leading to the formation of MIE in 2010 to support its national expansion.

Today, MIE provides tools, training, and technological support to roughly 82 CEO programs across ten states—Alabama, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Utah. The CEO Program partners with business and community leaders to equip high‑school students with real‑world entrepreneurial skills. Rather than learning in a classroom, participants spend each day immersed in local businesses, guided by community mentors as they create and run real ventures.

MIE’s vision is to be the standard for entrepreneurship education in the United States, delivered through world‑class customer service, guidance, and content to its CEO communities.

The Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship seeks a seasoned executive leader to drive strategy, operational performance and organizational growth for a nationally respected program that shapes the next generation of entrepreneurial talent. This is an ideal role for a corporate executive, business unit leader or proven second‑in‑command ready to step into the top leadership position of a well established, mission‑driven organization. The Executive Director will ensure the CEO Program continues to scale, innovate and deliver measurable impact across a growing national footprint.

Reporting to and partnering with the Board of Directors, the Executive Director sets organizational strategy, leads a capable and cohesive staff, stewards the Institute’s finances and serves as the primary external ambassador to donors, corporate partners, community leaders and the media.

• Lead a multi‑state organization with strong brand recognition and long‑standing community partnerships.
• Apply business discipline, operational rigor and strategic insight to a mission with outsized societal impact.
• Build relationships with donors, investors, government entities and industry leaders who support the program.
• Shape the future workforce by embedding entrepreneurial thinking into communities nationwide.

• Set and execute organizational strategy in partnership with the Board, with a focus on sustainable growth and operational excellence.
• Expand the CEO Program into new communities by partnering with community organizations and local leaders.
• Drive alignment across the organization, ensuring clarity of priorities, processes and performance expectations.

• Oversee enterprise‑wide operations, ensuring the program maintains high standards across all locations.
• Lead and develop a capable, cohesive staff while building a strong team culture defined by great communication and continuous improvement.
• Implement and monitor KPIs to evaluate program effectiveness.

• Act as the external‑facing executive representative of the Institute with corporate partners, donors, community leaders and media.
• Strengthen partnerships with business and industry leaders to expand reach, influence and funding.
• Serve as a visible ambassador at key business, education and community events.

• Lead revenue strategy, including donor development, major gifts, corporate partnerships and grants.
• Manage organizational budgets with fiscal discipline, ensuring efficient and responsible use of resources.
• Achieve annual revenue and sustainability goals…