The Anchor Program

Turn leadership transitions into organizational advantage.

Our Approach

Leadership transitions reveal the true condition of an organization. The Anchor Program helps organizations navigate executive transitions with experienced interim leaders who stabilize operations, protect culture, assess organizational realities, and prepare the system for enduring success.

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Why transitions fail

Leadership transitions are organizational stress tests. Most organizations treat transitions as hiring events rather than system events. Leadership exits expose operational gaps, cultural fractures, strategic drift, and hidden strengths. The wrong placement can accelerate instability. The right transition creates clarity, momentum, and long-term sustainability.

  • 27–46% of executives fail within two years.

  • 67% of failures are linked to culture, politics, and staffing challenges.

  • Failed transitions are extraordinarily expensive.

What is an Anchor?

Anchors are experienced CEOs, COOs, CFOs, and other executive leaders who stabilize organizations while helping prepare the system for the future.

  • Former CEOs, COOs, CFOs, CMOs, CDOs, and CTOs

  • Onsite, hybrid, or virtual

  • Full-time or part-time

  • Transition leadership

  • Strategic stabilization

  • Team and culture guidance

  • Candidate profile development

  • Crescent Leadership Organizational Diagnostic (CLOD)

Experienced leaders. Trusted guides.

  • Years of executive leadership experience

  • Executive search and transition expertise

  • Certified Leader-First® Leaders

  • Supported by the Crescent Leadership Anchor network

Meet the Team

  • Jes DeShields, Phd

    CEO/COO/CDO Anchor

    With deep expertise in leadership, culture, and organizational change, Jes helps organizations navigate transition, strengthen teams, and build systems for growth. Her work blends strategic insight, executive coaching, and systems thinking to help leaders move through complexity with clarity and courage. Jes guides leaders toward sustainable, people-centered transformation.

  • Kerry Connolly, MBA

    CEO/COO Anchor

    With more than 40 years of executive leadership experience, Kerry helps organizations navigate complex transitions, strengthen culture, and restore operational stability during times of change. Known for her inclusive leadership style and strategic discipline, she guides teams through uncertainty with clarity, accountability, and a strong focus on long-term sustainability.

  • Diana Del Monaco, PhD

    COO Anchor

    With nearly 20 years of research and leadership experience, Diana helps organizations strengthen systems, improve efficiency, and navigate complex regulatory environments during periods of transition. Drawing from expertise in compliance, workflow optimization, and cross-functional leadership, she brings a disciplined approach to helping organizations stabilize operations.

  • Lutricia Eberly, MA

    CEO/COO Anchor

    With experience leading operations, and strategic partnerships, Lutricia helps organizations strengthen teams, align strategy with execution, and navigate periods of change. Drawing from leadership in membership growth, program development, and operations, she brings a collaborative approach focused on building systems, developing people, and driving results.

  • Winston Faircloth

    CEO/COO/CTO Anchor

    With more than four decades of executive leadership experience, Winston helps organizations strengthen teams, navigate transition, and build sustainable systems that endure over time. Drawing from decades of experience as an executive leader and advisor, he brings a people-centered approach to leadership grounded in collaboration, trust, and long-term organizational health.

  • Russel Statham, ED

    CEO/CFO/COO Anchor

    With extensive experience in executive leadership, finance, and organizational operations, Russel helps organizations navigate complexity, strengthen operational systems, and lead through periods of transition and growth. Drawing from his background as a CEO and finance executive, he brings a mission-centered approach to aligning people, operations, and long-term sustainability.

  • Zandra Washington, MBA

    CEO/COO Anchor

    With more than 30 years of executive leadership experience, Zandra helps organizations navigate transition, strengthen operations, and restore stability during periods of change. Drawing from deep expertise in governance, strategy, and cross-functional leadership, she brings a structured and people-centered approach to helping organizations build trust and reinforce accountability.