This episode of Nonprofit Report explores the evolving role of nonprofit board leadership through the lens of John Gage, a longtime technologist and board member at Relief International.
Guest:
John Gage, Board Member, Relief International
Interview by: Mark Oppenheim
Key Points:
- Strong boards blend humility, expertise, and openness to local knowledge.
- Lessons from the tech world—like open systems and problem-solving—translate into effective nonprofit leadership.
- Board members must avoid top-down thinking and embrace the complexity of field realities.
- Relief International operates in fragile states where board oversight balances risk and trust.
- The nonprofit sector “privatizes cost and socializes benefit,” demanding unique ethical commitments.
- Local staff are often 98% of field teams; they are the experts driving success.
- Good governance requires understanding differing cultural norms, including around corruption.
- Site visits and storytelling help boards stay grounded and responsive to real-world impact.
Other Points on Board Leadership:
For John Gage, effective board leadership means listening first—and leading with respect for all forms of knowledge. From California schools to refugee camps in Sudan, he has witnessed how collaboration unlocks real change.
Drawing on his tech background, Gage champions decentralized, open-source approaches to problem-solving. His experience shows that community knowledge, when properly supported, leads to scalable and sustainable solutions.
As a board member at Relief International, he helps navigate complex issues like disaster response, local hiring, and donor compliance. But he’s also clear: board members must know when to step back, and when to simply listen.
Above all, Gage believes leadership is about taking risks, staying curious, and never assuming you know more than those closest to the problem. It’s that mindset—open, adaptive, and humble—that drives the most meaningful nonprofit impact.