The Loneliest Seat in the Room
There’s a particular kind of isolation that comes with being the head of an organization.
You’re the one people look to when things get hard. You carry information you can’t always share. You make decisions that affect livelihoods, and sometimes you make them without anyone to truly process them with.
If you’re a pastor, nonprofit leader, or business owner, you know this weight. And if you’re honest, you’ve probably wondered where you’re supposed to take your hardest questions—the ones you can’t bring to your staff, your board, or even your spouse.
I’ve been there. And I’ve learned that the answer isn’t to push through alone. The answer is to find a community of people who get it.
That’s why I’m excited to be serving as a facilitator for CCDA’s Executive Leadership Peer Coaching Circle this year.
It’s a simple concept: a small group of executive leaders—Senior Pastors, Executive Directors, CEOs, nonprofit founders—meeting monthly for five months to coach each other through real challenges. No lectures. No curriculum to get through. Just honest conversation, collaborative problem-solving, and a confidential space to process what you’re actually facing.
One past participant put it this way: “I appreciated having a regular touch point with other Christians in adjacent work. I especially appreciated having a range of ages and experience levels.”
Another said: “I was inspired by hearing about some of the BIG things that my new friends are working on and I benefited from the advice and encouragement of colleagues who have dealt with similar issues.”
That’s the magic of peer coaching. You realize you’re not the only one navigating these tensions. And you get practical wisdom from people who’ve walked similar roads.
Who is this for?
This cohort is designed for pastors and nonprofit leaders who are the head of their organization—the person who reports to a board or governing entity. That includes Executive Directors, CEOs, Presidents, Senior Pastors, and Business Owners. If your organization uses a shared leadership model, you’re welcome to.
The details:
Five virtual sessions, 90 minutes each
Meets the last Tuesday of each month, January–May 2026 (1:00–2:30 PM EST / 12:00-1:30 PM CST)
Cost: $100 for CCDA members / $200 for non-members
Registration closes January 26
Commitment matters—attendance at all sessions is expected. That’s part of what makes peer circles work.
If this resonates with you, I’d encourage you to register. And if it’s not the right fit for you, maybe forward this to a pastor or nonprofit leader in your life who could use a community like this.
Leadership doesn’t have to be lonely.
Register here: https://ccda16.wildapricot.org/event-6420109
Questions? Contact Mary Beth Meadows at marybeth@ccda.org