I will say it loud and clear from the start: Oprah Winfrey is an amazingly generous superstar who puts her beliefs into action by funding all kinds of good stuff and getting others to support the same and using all this giving to fill really clear voids in a world society that is way less than perfect!  OK?  And yes, I truly believe this!

But nothing is this simple and nothing should be taken from Oprah's credit for what's going on in the school she built and by all accounts, has a hand in running.  It's the "hand in running" that moves me to write today. 

According to news accounts, Oprah has stepped in personally to handle what is clearly an unacceptable situation.  And Oprah certainly has a PR role given her donor relationship and commitment to the school.  But I wonder aloud if Oprah isn't trying to do too much and be too responsible and active.  I also wonder if it's even reasonable to expect that Oprah should be personally involved in the fixes -- right down to hirings and firings. 

I am forced to ask, is Oprah the Executive Director of this school plus the three Foundations she operates (Oprah Angel Network, Oprah Winfrey Foundation and Oprah Winfrey Operating Foundation) along with a full time job (well a few full time jobs)? 

Wouldn't Oprah do better to recruit a strong managing/oversight board of directors to manage in her place(s)?  Isn't this what good nonprofit governance is about?  Aren't Oprah's gifts (skills, knowledge, awareness) better served in identifying real challenges, visioning and raising the financial and people resources that can ensure her dreams are put into action and preserved the way they are meant to be?  To me, Oprah would do well to consider this step as the key to strategic sustainability.