Robert Sheehan

Rob Sheehan has more than thirty years of executive management experience, including eighteen years as the CEO of two different national nonprofits. His research and academic publications are focused on leadership, strategy, and organizational effectiveness. His background and experiences have included serving as CEO of LeaderShape, Inc. from 1992-2001 and CEO of the Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity & Educational Foundation from 1981-90.

As Academic Director of Executive MBA Programs at the Smith School of Business, Rob directs the academic aspects of Executive MBA programs with responsibility for cohorts in the College Park EMBA and the Custom MBA for SAIC. He also assists with custom-designed executive education programs for various organizations.

He received his Master’s degree and Ph.D. from The Ohio State University. While at Ohio State, he directed The Excellence in Philanthropy research project, which became the basis for his dissertation “Mission Accomplishment as Philanthropic Organization Effectiveness.” His B.A. is from Westminster College, PA.

Rob is an active member of ARNOVA (Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action) and the Academy of Management. He is a regular presenter of academic papers at conferences, and has been published in leading nonprofit research journals—including Nonprofit Management & Leadership and Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly. Rob is also an active member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and attained the association's CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) designation in 1986. He has been certified as a Transformation Consultant by United Way of America. He is author of Mission Impact: Breakthrough Strategy for Nonprofits, a book which introduces a new approach to strategic planning for nonprofits.