Strategy Forums

"Invest heavily in understanding the strengths and performance of every team member." - Gary Harpst, author, "Six Disciplines for Excellence"

Working with fellow Vistage chair, Sally Tassani, Mike Donahue co-founded the CFO Strategy Forum, HR Strategy Forum, and the Marketing Strategy Forum, leadership labs for financial, HR and marketing executives. These peer groups provide a place where the members can address their challenges and exchange ideas, experiences and information to sharpen their skills.

Mike and Sally leverage what they have learned from years facilitating their Vistage groups. The strategy forums differ from Vistage groups in that they focus on specific job functions. The forums meet for a half day each month; all three groups meet from 8:30 to noon. Half of each meeting is devoted to addressing the issues of the members, and the balance focuses on a topic that is relevant to the group.

The CFO and HR Strategy forums each have a co-chair who works with Mike and Sally and serves as the group’s subject matter expert (SME). The SME for the CFO Strategy Forum is Tom McCain, and the SME for the HR Strategy Forum is retired Eli Lilly executive, Joann Ingulli-Fattic. With more than 50 years of marketing experience between them, Sally & Mike function as the subject matter experts for the Marketing Strategy Forum.