Executive Director

Scion Executive Search has been retained to conduct the search for the Executive Director for Fishing the Good Fight , a community of men and therapists dedicated to helping men address their mental health struggles through community, fishing, and the outdoors. This is a full-time, remote position with a preference for candidates based in the Denver, Colorado Springs, or Fort Collins metro areas.

About Fishing The Good Fight

Fishing the Good Fight (FTGF) is a nonprofit organization combining fly fishing with licensed therapy to address one of the most pressing and underserved challenges in American health: men's mental health. FTGF meets men where they are, outdoors, on the water, and in community with one another, creating the conditions for genuine healing and lasting change. Currently operating in Colorado and Georgia and serving participants from across the country, FTGF has demonstrated strong participant outcomes and a model that resonates deeply with the men it serves.

Participants split time on retreats between fly fishing with skilled instructors and intentional group discussions led by licensed therapists, in a safe, low-pressure environment designed for growth and self-discovery. Local chapters extend that community year-round through workshops, fly-fishing outings, and social gatherings that sustain connection long after retreats end. FTGF also normalizes the pathway to professional help, connecting men with trusted mental health resources, reducing barriers through scholarships and financial assistance, and engaging participants through a monthly virtual series on mental health tools and coping strategies. Leadership opportunities within local chapters empower men to give back and support others on the same journey.

Position Overview

The Executive Director will serve as Fishing the Good Fight's strategic leader and chief architect of its next chapter, responsible for scaling a proven, nationally resonant model into a recognized force in men's mental health while preserving the clinical integrity and personal connection that make it work. This is not a caretaker role. FTGF is seeking a builder: a dynamic, mission-driven leader who sees the organization's current foundation, a $500k endowment, $250k in annual revenue, and programming already reaching men across 20 states, not as a ceiling, but as a launching pad.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will provide inspired, people-centered leadership that energizes staff, deepens community trust, and positions FTGF as a sought-after partner in the broader mental health and wellness landscape. This leader will model the organization's values in every interaction, championing authenticity, breaking down stigma, and creating space for men to show up fully and pursue growth.

At this pivotal moment, the Executive Director will bring the vision and operational discipline to build fundraising capacity toward and beyond $1M annually, expand chapter presence nationally, and develop the organizational infrastructure required for sustainable growth. Equally important, they will bring the relational intelligence to honor what FTGF has built, the hard-won trust of participants, the dedication of volunteer leaders, and the therapeutic culture that sets this organization apart.

Responsibilities

Revenue Generation & Fundraising (50% of time)

• Lead all fundraising efforts to reach $1M+ in annual revenue within three years, including annual campaigns, major donor cultivation, planned giving, and special events
• Cultivate and steward major donor relationships, securing major gifts ($25K+), foundation grants, and corporate sponsorships
• Develop and grow a corporate sponsorship program and identify government grant opportunities
• Leverage established relationships within Colorado's nonprofit, philanthropic, and business communities to drive fundraising

Strategic Leadership (25% of time)

• Partner with the Board to develop and execute a multi-year strategic plan, including national expansion planning and execution
• Identify, evaluate, and launch programming in new markets while maintaining organizational quality and culture
• Build and sustain partnerships with healthcare systems, corporations, community organizations, and local leaders in expansion markets
• Serve as the primary spokesperson and public face of the organization
• Champion compelling storytelling and mission communication across public speaking, media, and community engagement to elevate FTGF’s profile and inspire action
• Recruit, develop, and engage board members, cultivating a governance culture that is active, accountable, and aligned with the organization’s growth trajectory

Organizational Management (25% of time)

• Oversee all operations, working closely with the Operations Director, and Regional Program Directors as well as volunteer chapter leadership in Denver, Colorado Springs, and the Atlanta area.
• Manage organizational budget, forecasting, and financial reporting to the Board
• Ensure program quality and clinical integrity as the organization grows
• Foster a data-driven culture with a strong emphasis on outcomes measurement and decision making
• Invest in and steward the volunteer community, treating volunteer engagement as a program in its own right and leveraging this passionate base to deepen impact and expand reach

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of nonprofit leadership experience, with at least 3 years as Executive Director or equivalent
• Demonstrated track record of raising $500K+ annually, with clear evidence of personal fundraising success
• Proven experience taking an organization from regional to national footprint, including launching programming in new markets
• Established network within Colorado's nonprofit, philanthropic, and business communities
• Experience working effectively with a Board of Directors, including board development, engagement, and leveraging board networks for fundraising
• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred
• Must be based in the Denver, Colorado Springs, or Fort Collins metro areas
• Genuine commitment to men’s mental health and wellness, with a personal and professional understanding of the unique challenges men face in seeking support

Preferred

• Experience in mental health, healthcare, or wellness sectors
• Track record of securing foundation grants and government funding
• Experience building earned revenue streams for nonprofit organizations
• Personal connection to fly fishing or outdoor recreation is a plus

Compensation And Benefits

This full-time, remote role offers an exciting opportunity to lead a growing and mission-driven nonprofit at a pivotal moment in its journey. The position offers a competitive salary range of $100,000–$130,000 (DOE), along with a benefits package that includes unlimited PTO. For health coverage, the organization currently supports employees through marketplace plans, and for the right candidate who is not covered elsewhere, the organization is open to providing a health reimbursement stipend through a QSEHRA (Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement).

Applications And Nominations

Fishing the Good Fight has retained the services of Scion Executive Search, a national executive search firm specializing in recruiting for mission-driven organizations, to assist in conducting this important search. For immediate consideration, please apply with your resume and cover letter, formatted in Microsoft Word, via:

Please Address Applications To

Ellen Johnson, Executive Recruiter

Scion Executive Search

Scion Executive Search is an award-winning retained executive search firm. Our track record and recruitment process have made us one of the top recruitment firms in the United States. Through innovative team building and recruitment solutions, Scion Executive Search seamlessly bridges the gap in interim and executive searches. Our track record and recruitment process have made us one of the top recruitment firms in the nation. We are proud to be part of the Forbes lists of the Best Recruitment Firms and the Best Executive Search Firms in America. Additionally, Scion has been recognized as a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing firm as well as a top recruitment firm by The Business Times. Additional information about our firm and our practices can be found online.

Scion Executive Search is an equal opportunity employer and service provider and does not discriminate based on race, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, political affiliation, or any other protected class. We are committed to the principles of Equal Opportunity Employment and are dedicated to making employment decisions based on merit and value, for ourselves, our client companies, and the candidates we represent. For opportunities located in a region that has enacted fair chance, arrest, or conviction-based employment ordinances, Scion Executive Search proactively follows the enacted guidance and considers for employment all qualified applications with arrest and conviction records. We engage in socially conscious business practices and believe that diverse, equitable, inclusive, and non-biased talent and recruitment processes are foundational to the success of Scion as well as every client organization with whom we partner.

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