The Amazing Women in Nonprofit Leadership: Part III
For the last three months, we’ve looked at some of the unique challenges facing women who lead nonprofit organizations.
Five ladies who oversee Springfield, Missouri area nonprofit organizations have shared their perspectives on what it’s like to be a female leader.
Brandi Bartel – Executive Director, The Victim Center
Barb Brown-Johnson – Executive Director, The Child Advocacy Center
Katie Davis – CEO, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Ozarks
Debi Meed – CEO/President, United Way of the Ozarks
Pat Reiser – Executive Director, CASA of Southwest Missouri
In this final article, we ask the ladies about fundraising, balancing work with family, and advice to young women who aspire to lead an organization.
(Because of the sensitive nature of these questions, responses are not in the order of the ladies listed above.)
Has being a woman been an asset or liability (or neither) when working with funders, asking for financial support?
“I think donors, particularly female donors, might relate to me when I ‘sell’ the mission and tell the difficult stories related to this mission. At least, I often get a stronger response typically from female donors than from male donors.”
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“A few times I’ve experienced a degree of sexual harassment from the occasional donor, and once, from a board member, in the form of suggestive comments and/or sexual innuendo.”
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“I would guess that men speaking with men might have an advantage. I firmly believe that you have to be a strong assertive female to ask for money or you don’t get anywhere.”
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“I was once warned by a Board member not to show too much emotion when making a fundraising presentation. I believe this is because if women show emotion about a situation it can be assumed she is leading too much from the “heart” and neglecting the business side of the organization.”
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“There have been a few times that I felt that if I were to really flirt with a male donor, there might be a donation, or at least a larger donation. Expressing genuine interest in the donor can be misinterpreted and is one that any female leader needs to consider carefully. “
How have the demands of your own family/personal life affected your ability to keep up with the demands of running the organization?
“It is difficult to be in a leadership position and have a normal family life. I fear I haven’t always been the best at balancing the work/life balance. Particularly for nonprofits, there is always a component of week night and week end work on top of your already long work week. It simply goes with the territory.”
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“The stress of the job, combined with personal life challenges that every leader encounters (regardless of gender) takes its toll. Every leader has to identify their priorities and then recognize that saying “no” to one thing is saying “yes” to something else more important or more urgent.”
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"Being the Executive Director of a nonprofit organization that serves victims of crime can be grueling. It’s a responsibility that I take seriously because I know that my effectiveness as a leader has a direct impact on our organization’s ability to change lives, and often save them. The stress of the job, combined with personal life challenges that every leader encounters, takes its toll."
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“I must say that it has been my personal life that has suffered, not the organization I worked for. First, let me say that I could have NEVER been the head of a nonprofit if my children were still at home.”
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“It is amazing to me that throughout my career, when I have made the decision to put my family first, it has always resulted in a better position with more responsibility rather than a loss. In work and in life, I have never been hurt by putting my family first.“
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“If you asked me if I would do it all again, I don’t know what I would say. While this work is tremendously gratifying, it is also extremely hard on you.“
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"As the female (especially right after my daughter was born), I felt more of an obligation to be the one to come home over my husband. Luckily, my husband and I have found a good balance and I am thankful for two things:
- My husband respects my role as a leader and my need to work in the evenings/on the weekends, so we rarely have disagreements over work/life balance
- We have an incredibly supportive extended family (that) all live in Springfield and have agreed to support my decision to keep my role...
Without those two things I don’t think I would be able to successfully keep my role as a female leader."
What advice would you give women who aspire to be the CEO/Executive Director of a nonprofit organization? Specific traits or behaviors that might help her advance?
“My advice to ‘younger’ female leaders would be to hone their strategic skills so that they can be more competitive in the workforce as they move into leadership positions. Effective leaders exhibit both male female characteristics of leadership while staying true to themselves and learning to highlight their own strengths. I would also encourage them to ask for what they’re worth! If their board values and appreciates the work they do, they will respond appropriately.”
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"Traits: willing to work long hours, can successfully ask people for money, be able to inspire others to your way of thinking, empathy-lots of empathy, not have to work for a large salary, stay healthy, put others first."
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“Find a mentor. Learn the emotional/soft skills of the trade, along with the technical ones. Be humble enough to work well with others; get your hands dirty; and listen, yet confident enough to take risks; speak up; and go outside your comfort zone.”
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“Your kids have to be grown. You must have the complete support of your spouse or significant other. The nonprofit must be fiscally sound. The nonprofit has to have sufficient staff to get the job done; you can’t do it all yourself. The Board must have 100% buy-in, they must be donors, show up for meetings and help with fundraisers. You must be able to read and understand financial reports; if this is going to be the organization you head, you have to know where you are financially.”
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“1. Build relationships. Wherever you are right now in your work life, be willing to help others, be a mentor, say, “yes” as much as you can.
- Learn as much as you can about all aspects of your business. As CEO, I had to both fix the toilet and meet with President Obama!
- Stay current - Read as much as you can. If someone suggests a book to you try to read it. I try to read or re-read at least one book or study every month.
- Along with the general skills, abilities and behaviors of a CEO, I think you also need these:
- Always assume the best.
- Have integrity, tell the truth, careful what you say on social media.
- Be kind.
- Stay calm.
As CEO you will be faced with many situations, some will be more than you think you can handle. You will need to take a breath, steady yourself and lead in those situations.”