John Bauer

Former executive and outstanding consultant, John Bauer is Principal and Senior Strategist with John E. Bauer Consulting, LLC. Before retiring in 2014 and beginning his consulting practice, John was the President and CEO of Bethesda Lutheran Communities, a $155MM national social service agency supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Prior to becoming CEO, John served Bethesda as its board chairman during which time John facilitated a merger that doubled the size of the organization, helped develop international outreach programs in nine foreign countries, and coordinated reorganization and realignment of the corporate and foundation boards of directors. John came to the disabilities field after a 25-year career in liberal arts higher education as a chief academic officer and institute director. He was frequently called upon as a consultant, conference speaker and lecturer. He began his career in education as a school principal, serving schools in Illinois and Wisconsin.

John is the author of Your Preferred Future. Achieved.: Ten Critical Questions for Nonprofit Strategic Planning. Capitalizing on his decades of experience facilitating strategic planning processes, John shares his model for leading nonprofit organizations into the future while building capacity to respond to changing conditions.

John holds a PhD in education administration from Marquette University and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Wisconsin Lutheran College in recognition of his servant-leadership.

John’s purpose for being on the planet now is to be of love and service to others. This mission is played out in his consulting practice as he works with mission-driven nonprofit organizations, assisting them with strategic planning, board governance, executive coaching, risk management, succession planning, and mergers and acquisitions.