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Leading Edge Mentoring (LEM) is a consulting firm dedicated to managing and monitoring accountability in leadership, governance and management. Leading Edge Mentoring is operated by Susan S. Radwan, MEd, CAE, SMP, ARM. Radwan has been affiliated with the non-profit association industry since 1986.
Leading Edge Mentoring is a recognized consulting firm in leadership and governance process. LEM's primary clientele are Boards who wish to create accountability in their process or who desire to create rationality in their governance.
Radwan's work with non-profit organizations includes: 1. Board coaching in the practice of Policy Governance®, 2. Strategic planning facilitation, and 3. Staff and board development retreats and workshops. She also facilitates the CAE On-Line Exam Prep program for association executives around the world, as well as governance education for current and aspiring board members across Canada.
Leading Edge Mentoring takes a stand for accountable, value-added organizational leadership:
The Leading Edge Mentoring mission is to make a difference in the impact of client organizations on civil society and within professions and industries. LEM provides tools and processes to enhance leadership and accountability at the Board, CEO and Senior Management levels. The end result is to shift the success measurements from activity results to real impacts that advance the cause of the organization.
Leading Edge Mentoring is a sought after resource, hired to shepherd an effective change process in individuals and organizations through motivating, mentoring, and monitoring people and their accountability to a process.
The values and principles upon which LEM services are provided are based on win/win relationships with clients where both parties are invested in the vision of success, meaningful change, and the cause of personal and organizational leadership. We will hold true to the values of win/win in terms of work to be done and payment to be received. Projects will only be undertaken if fair compensation can be received for the effort expended. Long term contracts will require partial payment up front. In return, LEM personnel will prepare for each project thoroughly, bringing fresh ideas to the process and innovative ways of facilitating that process.
Policy Governance® is a systems-driven approach to governing organizations. This technology for governing at the board level offers a comprehensive and coherent whole system perspective. Designed by John Carver, this hands-on operating system for Boards is applicable to the corporate, public sector, and not-for-profit communities. The model empowers Boards to bring an effective values-added role to the organization.
Policy Governance® is more than a structure. It is an integrated model of principles, philosophy, structure and process. The governing style of a Policy Governance board is best described in the following broad policy, entitled Governing Style:
"The board will govern with an emphasis on (a) outward vision rather than an internal preoccupation, (b) encouragement of diversity in viewpoints, (c) strategic leadership more than administrative detail, (d) clear distinction of board and chief executive roles, (e) collective rather than individual decisions, (f) future rather than past or present, and (g) proactivity rather than reactivity.
On any issue, the Board must insure that all divergent views are considered in making decisions, yet must resolve into a single organizational position.
Features of the Model:
The philosophical bases for the model:
The Process of Policy Governance:
Policy Governance® is the service mark of John and Miriam Carver. The authoritative website for Policy Governance® is www.policygovernance.com.
Susan Radwan is a 1999 graduate of the Policy Governance® Academy. She partners with consultant Eric Craymer of Growth Management Consulting, Inc. of East Lansing, Michigan, doing business as Partners in Policy Governance® (PPG). This partnership was formed create a coordinated support system for Policy Governance practitioners. Radwan holds a fondness for Board work and connection while Craymer has a particular affinity for the operational implementation of Policy Governance. When Radwan and Craymer combine their talents, a synergy occurs in the client’s implementation of Policy Governance. All efforts are aligned and each entity has access to their own consultant. Visit the Partners in Policy Governance website at www.PolicyGovernanceConsulting.com.
Radwan believes there is great synergy in collaboration. As such, LEM is currently involved in two significant collaborative efforts.
The CAE Exam Preparation Program is a collaborative effort between the Michigan Society of Association Executives (MSAE) offering three different products, all geared to preparing association executives who are pursuing the designation of Certified Association Executive (CAE). The products include 3 online courses, each offered twice annually. The collaboration also published a study guide that was used by Allied Societies around the US. It is believed that this collaboration directly prepares at least 1/3 of the candidates entering the rank of CAE.
Capacity Canada: Identified as an Executive in Residence with Capacity Canada, Radwan developed the Modern Board Series, an online course on what it takes to become a modern board. The courses focus on governing from the "helicopter view". This coursework is delivered by Conestoga College, based in Kitchener, Ontario. Radwan was commissioned by the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador to co-author a course on Inclusive Governance, focused on governing from a Feminist Perspective. The course includes a tool to assess board readiness for diversity. This project was then integrated into the Modern Board Course.
Radwan is a lead designer of the Governance Bootcamp, an annual event focused on enhancing the governance capacity of Canada's registered charities. Additionally, Capacity Canada calls on Radwan to work with Boards that desire governance orientation toward becoming more strategic.
Policy Governance® Specific Topics:
General Governance Topics:
Other Topics:
If you answered "yes" to any or all of the questions above, Policy Governance® just may be the answer you are seeking. Attend an "Intro to Policy Governance®" session with key Board people to evaluate if there is something in the model for you to explore further. Contact Sue Radwan at (517) 256-4786 for current dates and locations. If your Board is already a Policy Governance® Board, consider Leading Edge services to help educate and maintain the board's focus on responsible and rational governance. Policy audit, Ends facilitation, Board assessment and Board coaching services are available.
Dreaming is not only permissible for leaders, it is obligatory.
Yet Board members lose their vision as they tend to operational issues.
John Carver
Ultimately, the board is responsible for its own development, its own job design, its own discipline, and its own performance. But nothing changes if nothing changes. Shifting the attention of the Board is a process which takes training and consistent focus of the organization's leadership. Leading Edge Mentoring can provide the third party voice which helps the Board to realize its proper role as the moral trustees of their industry, focused on broad strategic direction and connection to the community membership.
Elected Leader Education content might include:
Boards that attend to vision are more certain
to address that which has enduring importance.
John Carver
If you don't know where you are going, any road will take you there, but if you want to maximize the impact of your association on its industry, you need a focused approach, a road map and accountability in the vision. Using a Systems Thinking Approach™, Sue Radwan will work with you to develop your plan using a five step Systems Model, described below. The finished plan will include timelines, delegation and how to evaluate progress and success. A unique aspect of Leading Edge facilitation is that the Board focuses on Governance and Leadership concerns and considers how the committee structure can bring a value-added role to the initiatives. As a result, the Board reviews the governance role as well as the means of the association. Support services available include member survey construction. The final report, of course, is prepared by Leading Edge Mentoring.
The Systems Thinking Approach™ , developed by the Haines Centre for Strategic Management, has as its core a deceptively simple but profound five-step Systems Model that helps leaders collaborate with key stakeholders to identify the best direction for their organization and then lead consistently in that direction. The five steps are: Phase A: Desired Future State – identifying shared outcomes that take both practical reality and best possible results into account; Phase B: Key Success Measures – desired outcomes are quantified as mutually agreed-upon measures, so all essential parties define “success” in the same ways and can agree on the evaluation of results; Phase C: Current State Assessment – while many ‘strategic planners’ start with this phase, it actually only makes sense in relation to your desired outcomes – What strengths, weaknesses, resources, challenges, etc. do we have to achieve our stated vision?; Phase D: Closing the Gap – developing Core Strategies and action plans, and taking effective action to implement them fully, ensuring staff buy-in and stay-in over time; and Phase E: Future Environment Scanning – an on-going system to help leaders keep tabs on important trends and developments, determine which ones require action, and take action before they become problems. Such actions are integrated into the systems view of the organization, rather than representing divergence from the clear direction.
The ABCDE Systems Model is supported by clear processes and practices for each step, including a Parallel Involvement Process for key stakeholders throughout the performance-based management process. For example, we provide methods to help leaders gather feedback and input from key stakeholder groups, derive priorities and meaning from the data, reinforce employee engagement and the value of their contributions, and still retain final decision-making power.
American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA): Radwan has supported governance efforts for state affiliates of the AANA since 2010. From governance workshops to strategic planning to board interventions, Radwan has had a long and trusted relationship with this national organization.
Nevada Association of Nurse Anesthetists (NVANA): Since 2019, Radwan currently serves as their association manager, advising the Board as well as supporting the management needs of the organization. The end game is to create strength in advocacy and connect the membership community with the organization.
American Society of Association Executives (ASAE): Radwan has been tapped for a third time to serve as Executive Editor of the Professional Practices in Association Management, which is scheduled for release in 2025.
International Association for Strategy Professionals (IASP). After two years of service as Board Chair, Radwan completed her service as Immediate Past President in June 2024 and returned to serve in the position of Certification Commission Chair in July 2024.
Capacity Canada: Radwan developed a substantial series of courses designed to prepare young professionals to serve on boards of directors. The series, titled The Modern Board, focuses on governing from the "helicopter view". The Essentials of Governing Series includes roles and responsibilities in not-for-profit organizations, how to prepare for board meetings, how to participate in board meetings and developing your personal power at the board table. The Advanced Governance Series addresses more complex topics such as strategic planning, evaluating a CEO, searching for a CEO, creating organizational collaborations and serving as a board chair. Each module contains a video, supplemental materials and journaling. An optional quiz at the end of each course, qualifies participants to receive a digital badge that can be added to a Linked In profile.
Michigan Society of Association Executives (MSAE): Radwan is the lead figure in MSAE's CAE Exam Prep Program. She teaches the curriculum for three different course types, a 16 week version, a 12 week version and a virtual CRAM course. In support of this effort, Radwan has created several videos to support the learning of the CAE candidates including Systems Thinking & the CAE, More on Systems Thinking, and five videos on Test-Taking Tips. The virtual courses include weekly calls, practice exams, video and audial supports to keep our CAE Candidates on track to pass the exam offered twice annually. The CRAM Course, recalibrated to a virtual course during the COVID pandemic, adds 34 content videos to the mix.
Partners in Policy Governance: Radwan with retired partner Eric Craymer have authored Governing by Principles: An Approach to Unleash the Power of Policy Governance, © 2020, available through amazon.com and capacitycanada.ca. The book focuses on assisting the reader to fully understand the foundational principles of the Policy Governance model, initially designed by John Carver.
PG Bootcamp: Partners in Policy Governance host a PG Bootcamp twice annually to teach this content in an interactive two day workshop. See PGbootcamp.net for upcoming dates.
Recent Board Governance Coaching Clients:
Governance Education Clients:
Curriculum Development and Instruction
Since 1996, Susan S. Radwan has owned and operated Leading Edge Mentoring, a consulting firm which specializes in governance and leadership issues. Radwan's work focuses on the structure and process which impacts effective growth of individuals and organizations.
Susan has a rich history of experience in the fields of insurance, education, strategy development, non-profit associations and consulting. Radwan considers her professional home in the association industry where she has served as a teacher, facilitator, and executive staff person.
She obtained a Master's degree in Education (1977) from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota, a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts (1974) from Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and professional certifications in association management, risk management, certification, systems thinking, strategic planning, and governance, among others.
In her work, Radwan applies her Master's Degree in Education as well as perspectives and skills learned in pursuit of her many designations. She most recently became a Governance Systems Professional-Fellow. The GSP designation recognizes knowledgeable governance professionals who adhere to a code of ethics and commit to ongoing professional development.
Radwan has a reputation for "walking with" her clients which has gained her a reputation known as the "wow of Sue". She brings passion, clarity and insight to her consulting and teaching. She has an acute ear for whether clients are grasping the nuances of the model.
Radwan is a life-long Michigan resident. She grew up in Saginaw, Michigan, went to college in Grand Rapids, taught junior high students in Bay City, and experienced the rest of her career based in Lansing. She currently resides in Grand Ledge, Michigan with her husband Fayez. She has three grandchildren who live a short nine miles away with her son-in-law and daughter who is a very successful REMAX real estate agent.
| 1974-1980 | Teacher, Jr. High, St. Thomas Aquinas, East Lansing, Michigan (1977-1980), Holy Rosary Academy, Bay City, Michigan (1974-1977). Focus: English Literature, Grammar & Composition |
| 1980-1984 | Stratton-Cheeseman Management Company, Medical Malpractice and General Insurance Field Sales |
| 1984-1985 | Maternity Leave |
| 1985-1986 | The Bishop Company, Technical Writing Support & Marketing Specialist |
| 1986-1987 | Michigan Association of Insurance Companies, Communications Director |
| 1987-1996 | Professional Insurance Agents of Michigan/Michigan Association of Insurance Agents (a consolidated organization), representing independent property & casualty insurance agents. Position: Education Director/#2 Executive from 1987-1991, Sr. Vice President for Professional Development from 1991-1996 for merged organization. |
| 1997-1998 | SIAA-Midwest Regional President, Satellite Insurance Agency Alliance, developing an alternative distribution system for insurance in the region. |
| 1996-Current | Owner, Leading Edge Mentoring, building capacity in governance, leadership and management |
| 1996-2019 | Partner, Managing Education Resource Group, President of the Insurance Division |
| 2003-Current | Partner, Partners in Policy Governance, a consulting collaboration to support Policy Governance practitioners. |
| 2010-2012 | CEO, International Policy Governance Association (volunteer role) |
| 2019-Current | Association Manager, Nevada Association of Nurse Anesthetists (part-time position) |
| 2021-2024 | President, Association for Strategic Planning (volunteer role) Past President, International Association for Strategy Professionals (IASP) |
| 1974 | Bachelor of Arts, Aquinas College, Grand Rapids, Michigan Major: Communication Arts, Minor: English and Education |
| 1977 | Masters in Education in Individualized Instruction, College of St. Scholastica, Duluth, Minnesota |
| 1981 | Certified Insurance Counselor, Society of Certified Insurance Counselors |
| 1991 | Associate in Risk Management, Insurance Institute of America |
| 1991 | Certified Association Executive, American Society of Association Executives (mastery of knowledge in 13 areas of association management) |
| 1994-Current | Re-certified CAE |
| 1999 | Participant, Policy Governance® Academy, Carver Governance Design |
| 2006 | Certification for Spiral Dynamics, Levels I & II |
| 2007 | Advanced Workshop in Policy Governance®, Carver Governance Design |
| 2010 | Systems Thinking and Strategic Management Gold Mastery Certification, Haines Centre for Strategic Management, in conjunction with the University of San Diego. |
| 2011-Current | Strategic Management Professional designation, awarded by the Association of Strategic Planning, demonstrating mastery level knowledge and core competencies in the Strategic Planning industry at the highest level. |
| 2016 | Certified as a Certified Professional Behavior Analyst, awarded by TTI Success Insights. |
| 2016 | Certification Specialist credential awarded by the Institute for Credentialing Excellence. |
| 2019 | Governance Systems Professional – Fellow, awarded by Govern for Impact |