Mike Duggar of Lutheran Family and Children’s Services: 5 Things You Need To Know To Successfully Lead A Nonprofit Organization
Establishing routines and rituals. Create predictable rhythms that bring stability and comfort. Weekly meetings, team lunches, and celebrations of milestones — these rituals bond your team and reinforce shared values.
As part of my series about “individuals and organizations making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Mike Duggar.
Mike Duggar has served as President and Chief Executive Officer for Lutheran Family and Children’s Services (LFCS) since 2017. Under Mike’s leadership and vision, LFCS has expanded programming, services, and office locations throughout Missouri to reach more underserved children and families.
His strategic approach to operations has led to improved efficiency and resource allocation within LFCS, significantly reducing administrative costs while maintaining the quality of services provided.
Beyond service delivery, Mike fosters collaboration. He’s forged partnerships with schools, faith communities, and government agencies, solidifying LFCS’s leadership role in providing safety, stability, and well-being for children and families across Missouri.
Before joining LFCS, Mike led Methodists Children’s Homes of Mississippi and was an adjunct faculty member at Jackson State University. His experiences and academic background in community psychology (Penn State University) and criminal justice/law enforcement (University of Tennessee at Chattanooga) equip him with a unique understanding of human dynamics and systems, which is critical for navigating the complexities of social services.
Mike’s dedication to improving Missouri communities and his strategic vision have been the driving force in LFCS’s growth and success. He’s an active leader, driven by compassion and a commitment to building a brighter future for Missouri’s children and families.
Thank you so much for doing this with us. Before we begin our readers would like to get to know you a bit more. Can you tell us a bit about your “backstory”?
Growing up in South Georgia, my life was influenced by faith, family, and football. Those three pillars laid the foundation for who I am and what I do. My Dad, who adopted me and gave me his name, always said: “Remember who you are and how important your name is.” Even now, his words remain in my heart, urging me to use my life to leave a positive mark on society.
My journey continued with a football scholarship to Tennessee Chattanooga, an experience that allowed me to play under Coach Buddy Nix and provided a solid education. Post-football, I found myself at a crossroads, seeking direction. With a degree in criminal justice and aspirations for a career in the FBI or Secret Service, I secured internships with the Tennessee State Patrol and juvenile probation. However, my connection to the church and a compelling call led me towards a different path — the ministry.
My wise and patient mentor pastor advised me to test my calling before diving into the seminary. I found Bethel Bible Village in Hixon, Tennessee, a haven for children whose parents were incarcerated. At 23, with no kids, I plunged into the caretaker role for boys ages 5 through 13. Those six years of living with and caring for children paved the way for my understanding of residential facilities and foster care.
The experience became a defining moment, solidifying my desire to lead a nonprofit organization. The passion for helping children, inspired by a biblical perspective that religion is pure when caring for orphans and widows, fueled my journey. Completing my master’s at Penn State and gaining management experience under the mentorship of Thomas Curcio further shaped my management philosophy. This odyssey ultimately led me to Lutheran Family and Children’s Services of Missouri, where I have proudly served for seven years.
Can you tell us the story behind why you decided to start or join your nonprofit?
The rich history of Lutheran Family and Children’s Services of Missouri, which dates back to the Civil War, resonated deeply with me. I knew I had found an organization aligned with my values and a legacy of service etched in its foundation. Leading LFCS is more than a job; it’s a chance to live my faith in action while stepping into a history of compassion that has shown the path toward hope and social impact for generations. This heritage is my North Star, reminding me that every action, program, and touch ripples outward. Leading this agency and contributing to its ongoing transformation is a great privilege.
Can you describe how you or your organization aims to make a significant social impact?
Our approach to making a difference revolves around empowerment and providing essential resources to children and families in the communities we serve. We strive to create safety, stability, and strength in their lives, which may take diverse forms, such as assisting a struggling mother with transportation expenses to work or providing a temporary home for a child in need. We strongly believe in the power of personal touch and the cultivation of meaningful relationships, especially during people’s most vulnerable moments.
We aim to provide immediate assistance and set the stage for long-term success. Whether helping a family achieve financial stability, listening to troubled youth, or ensuring a child has a secure place to call home, we are dedicated to helping people toward a future where they can live and thrive. One person, one family at a time. That is our interpretation of making a genuine and lasting impact.
Without mentioning any names, can you share a story about an individual who has been helped by your idea so far?
One poignant example of our idea’s impact is the story of a young boy in our foster care program. Let’s call him Christian. His mother, struggling with mental illness, couldn’t provide the care he needed. During visits to our office, she would disrupt proceedings, but it was clear that she deeply loved her child. This highlights an important aspect I want people to understand: even in challenging circumstances, parents may struggle but still harbor love for their children.
On one particular visit, she refused to let Christian go. It escalated to the point where we had to involve the police to remove him from her arms. Despite the chaos that ensued, what struck me was that Christian never cried. It was evident that this tumultuous environment was, unfortunately, his norm. Fortunately, we found him a forever home; today, he is doing well. This story, among many others, illustrates how our efforts profoundly transformed lives for the better, showcasing our significant impact.
Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
Tackling the underlying issues we aim to address is a complex challenge. This first and crucial step involves establishing a unified and integrated approach at the state level. Too often, governmental departments responsible for child and family welfare operate in silos and lack a cohesive plan. State leaders must champion a unified, integrated strategy that ensures seamless collaboration among departments such as Social Services and Mental Health. This proactive approach can improve efficiency and effectiveness in caring for children and families while removing bureaucratic barriers.
On a community level, prioritizing and incentivizing strong families is paramount. Recognizing community diversity is essential to tailor strategies that strengthen and stabilize families. This involves a combination of policy implementation and resource allocation. As I have witnessed throughout my three decades in this field, the key is to focus on keeping families together. Drawing inspiration and insights from Urie Bronfenbrenner, a renowned Russian-born American psychologist’s insight, we should aim to craft an environment where children thrive with the support of at least one person. Creating policies and allocating resources to support and encourage families, rather than tearing them apart, is a societal responsibility. While the exact path forward may need to be clarified, a collective effort at the community, state, and national levels is crucial to achieving lasting, positive outcomes.
How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
Leadership is about influencing people toward a shared goal. It’s about bringing together individuals with diverse personalities, agendas, and views and aligning them around a common purpose. This process takes time and dedication in the nonprofit world, where numerous stakeholders and communities are involved. It’s not just about managing people; it’s motivating and inspiring them to contribute to something larger than themselves.
An example of this leadership approach is evident in our strategic planning at Lutheran Family and Children’s Services. In 2020, I sought approval from our board to implement a different approach that fully engaged every level of the organization. We involved board members and line staff, creating a strategy embodying our mission’s essence. This open-door approach to strategy building, involving everyone from board members to frontline staff, ensured a deep multi-layered perspective and underscored that our mission lives not just in words but in the collective actions we take for children and families. In this context, leadership is not about the CEO but our collective impact.
Based on your experience, what are the “5 things a person should know before they decide to start a nonprofit”? Please share a story or example for each.
Leading a nonprofit demands wearing many hats. But before you get lost in the details, remember your core roles:
- Chief Steward. You’re the guardian of the organization’s soul, protecting its resources, reputation, and values. Think of it as a priceless artifact entrusted to your care.
- Chief Shepherd. Navigate your team through challenges, providing clarity and direction, even in turbulent times. Be the steady hand they can trust, the voice that keeps them focused on the shared mission.
- Chief Spokesperson. Represent your organization with passion and authenticity. Be the storyteller who brings vision to life, inspiring others to join the cause.
Once those core roles are clear, the next step is nurturing the collaborative spirit that leads to team success. In my view, two significant aspects play a crucial role:
- Building relationships. Connect with your team on a human level by learning their stories and understanding their concerns. Open-door policy, birthday cards, casual chats — all make a team that feels valued and heard.
- Establishing routines and rituals. Create predictable rhythms that bring stability and comfort. Weekly meetings, team lunches, and celebrations of milestones — these rituals bond your team and reinforce shared values.
We are very blessed that very prominent leaders read this column. Is there a person in the world who you would like to talk to, to share the idea behind your nonprofit? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
Roger Martin. He co-authored “Playing to Win” with A.G. Lafley, a book that profoundly influenced our strategy development at Lutheran Family and Children’s Services of Missouri. In 2017, when I got stuck in the process, I reached out to A.G. Lafley and Roger Martin. To my surprise, Roger responded and generously provided valuable feedback on our strategy, offering insights and ways to enhance it. His willingness to assist without any expectation of payment reflects his expertise in strategy, consulting with major corporations like IBM and Microsoft, and his kindness. He offered invaluable guidance to our organization.
Can you share your favorite “Life Lesson” Quote? How is that relevant to you in your life?
Micah 6:8 guides my leadership approach: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.” Balancing justice and mercy is critical for a CEO, emphasizing the importance of caring for others. Recognizing my fallibility, I approach decision-making with humility, acknowledging mistakes are inevitable. Striving to embody justice, mercy, and humility, my intentions remain rooted in a genuine desire to impact the lives of those we serve positively.
How can our readers follow you online?
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-duggar-b530b855/
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success in your mission.
Mike Duggar of Lutheran Family and Children’s Services: 5 Things You Need To Know To Successfully… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.