FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Lavonne McLean Steps into CEO Role at Apparo: A Q&A on Leadership, Growth, and What’s Ahead
CHARLOTTE, NC – March 1, 2026
On March 1, Apparo officially enters a new chapter as Lavonne McLean steps into the role of Chief Executive Officer. The transition follows the announcement that longtime CEO Kim Lanphear would be stepping down after 17 years of service, including 14 years of transformational leadership.
As Apparo’s Chief Operating Officer and a 10-year veteran of the organization, Lavonne has helped guide strategy, operations, and nonprofit capacity-building efforts that have strengthened hundreds of organizations across our region. Now, as she steps into the CEO role, she reflects on leadership, technology, partnership, and the future of Apparo.
In this conversation, Lavonne reflects on receiving the torch, honoring the legacy, and lighting the path ahead.
What does it mean to you to “receive the torch” from Kim at this moment in Apparo’s journey?
It means a great deal to me, both personally and professionally. To “receive the torch” from Kim is to step into a legacy of vision, courage, and deep commitment to community. Kim helped shape Apparo into the trusted, mission-driven organization it is today, and I see this moment as both an honor and a responsibility to carry forward what has been built while also helping guide what comes next.
At this point in Apparo’s journey, the torch represents continuity and momentum. We have a strong foundation, meaningful partnerships, and a proven impact in the nonprofit community. Receiving it signals a transition from one chapter of thoughtful leadership to the next, one where I am committed to listening, building on our strengths, and expanding our reach so that even more nonprofits can operate effectively, sustainably, and with confidence in the role technology plays in their mission.
For me, it’s not just a handoff. It’s a commitment to steward what has been created with care, to lead with heart and discipline, and to help light the path forward so Apparo can continue to grow its impact for years to come.
Apparo has a strong foundation rooted in growth, innovation, and service. What elements feel most important to carry forward?
What feels most important to carry forward is the heart of who we are, our deep commitment to service, our belief in the power of technology to strengthen nonprofits, and the relationships that have always been at the center of our work.
Apparo’s foundation was built on listening first, responding thoughtfully, and continuously innovating to meet real needs in our community. That spirit has allowed us to grow while delivering real, lasting value and resiliency to the organizations we serve, and it’s something I’m deeply committed to preserving.
I also want to carry forward the collaborative culture that has shaped this organization. Our partners, volunteers, staff, and the nonprofits we serve have co-created our impact. That shared ownership is a powerful part of our story. My goal is to protect and strengthen that foundation while ensuring we remain responsive, relevant, and sustainable in the years ahead.
Looking back, what parts of your journey most influenced this moment?
So much of what led me to this moment started long before my career. I grew up in a blue-collar family where hard work, discipline, and determination were part of everyday life. My dad, an immigrant, instilled in me a deep belief in what’s possible. My parents, though they never set foot in a boardroom, encouraged my sisters and me to build lives that could look different from their own.
Watching my mom earn her GED, go back to school, and change career paths left a lasting impression on me about perseverance and the power to shape your own future.
As a first-generation college graduate, I didn’t grow up around executives or have a roadmap for networking or leadership. What I did have was grit. I learned early on that I might not always know exactly how to get somewhere, but I would figure it out. That mindset carried me from being named Intern of the Year at GE Financial early in my career to navigating leadership across both corporate and nonprofit spaces.
My move from the corporate sector into nonprofit work was about aligning both my head and my heart, bringing what I had learned in one world and applying it in another where I felt deeply connected to the mission. Staying curious, resilient, and willing to grow has shaped the leader I am today.
As you step into the CEO role, what excites you most about guiding Apparo into its next chapter?
I’m excited about building on a strong foundation while helping shape what’s possible for the future. Apparo has earned deep trust in the community and demonstrated the value of this work over many years. I’m energized by the chance to carry that momentum forward in thoughtful and intentional ways.
I’m especially excited about expanding our reach and deepening our impact so even more nonprofits can thrive. Every day, nonprofits are navigating complex challenges, and technology plays a critical role across every function, from service delivery and fundraising to finance, HR, and communications.
The opportunity to help more organizations operate effectively, build resiliency, and serve their communities with greater confidence feels both meaningful and urgent.
I’m also energized by strengthening the partnerships that make our work possible. Our volunteers, corporate partners, foundations, and nonprofit leaders are at the heart of everything we do. The next chapter is about bringing people together in new ways to grow our impact while staying grounded in who we are.
How would you describe the kind of leadership you hope to model?
I hope to model leadership that is grounded in authenticity, steadiness, and care for people. Strong leadership starts with listening, understanding the needs of our team, our partners, and the nonprofits we serve, and then creating the clarity and alignment needed to move forward together.
I strive to lead with both heart and accountability. I want our team to feel supported, trusted, and encouraged to grow, while also being clear about our goals and the impact we’re working toward. 
I believe in leading with humility and resilience. I don’t have all the answers, but I’m willing to ask good questions, learn as we go, and stay steady through both opportunities and challenges. My role is to help remove barriers, connect people to what they need to succeed, and keep us focused on the mission that brought us here.
How do you see technology unlocking new possibilities for nonprofits?
Technology is one of the most powerful enablers for nonprofits, not just in how they operate, but in how they grow, connect, and deliver on their missions. It removes barriers, creates efficiencies, and allows organizations to focus more of their energy on the people and communities they serve.
As technology evolves, it touches every part of nonprofit work, from storytelling and donor engagement to program management, impact measurement, and decision-making. Advances in artificial intelligence, data, cybersecurity, and digital infrastructure are accelerating change, and nonprofits need trusted guidance to navigate it confidently.
When used thoughtfully, technology strengthens relationships, builds resiliency, and helps organizations adapt during times of uncertainty. Technology should feel empowering, not overwhelming. With the right support and expertise, it can unlock creativity and help nonprofits imagine new possibilities for how they serve and grow.
What does growth look like for Apparo and the community?
Growth is about more than scale. It’s about strength, stability, and lasting impact.
For Apparo, growth means building deeper partnerships, expanding thoughtfully, and continuing to evolve in ways that help us serve nonprofits with excellence and intention.
For the nonprofits we support, growth looks like increased confidence, capacity, and resiliency. It means having the tools and systems to operate effectively, make informed decisions, and focus more energy on their mission.
For the communities they serve, growth shows up as greater access to services, stronger support systems, and opportunities that help individuals and families move forward with dignity.
If Apparo is doing its job well, growth will show up as nonprofits that are more resilient, more connected, and better positioned to serve the people who rely on them.
What inspires you to lead during such a pivotal time?
I’m inspired by the resilience and dedication I see every day in nonprofit leaders and teams who continue to show up for their communities, even in the face of change and growing need.
We’re living in a time when challenges are complex and evolving, but so are the opportunities. Nonprofits are being asked to do more and respond faster while navigating uncertainty. That reality inspires me to lead in a way that is steady, thoughtful, and focused on helping organizations build the strength and sustainability they need to serve others well.
I’m also inspired by what happens when people come together with a shared sense of purpose. Every partnership and investment in a nonprofit creates ripple effects far beyond what we can immediately see. Leading Apparo in this moment means helping create the conditions for that kind of impact to grow.
What role do corporate and community partners play in Apparo’s future?
Corporate and community partners are essential to Apparo’s future. Our work has always been built on relationships, and the collaboration between the business community, nonprofit leaders, and volunteers is what makes our model unique.
Through their investment, expertise, and engagement, partners make it possible for nonprofits to
access the tools and guidance they need to grow stronger and serve their communities more effectively.
As technology evolves rapidly and nonprofit needs continue to grow, the investment of time, talent, and resources from corporate and community partners becomes even more important. The future of Apparo is something we build together. When companies, foundations, and community leaders come alongside nonprofits with shared purpose, the impact strengthens our entire community.
A Final Message to Supporters
I want our supporters to know how deeply grateful I am for the role they play in making this work possible. Apparo has always been built on partnership, on people and organizations who believe in the power of nonprofits and invest their time, talent, and resources to strengthen our community.
As we move forward, we will continue to be thoughtful stewards of your trust. We are committed to listening, learning, and growing in ways that ensure we remain responsive to the needs of the nonprofits and communities we serve.
Most of all, I hope you know that you are part of this story. The progress we make and the lives impacted are possible because of a collective effort. I’m honored to step into this role and continue this work alongside you, and I’m excited for what we will accomplish together in the years ahead.
To connect with Lavonne and follow her leadership journey, visit her LinkedIn profile.
