Thrown into Nonprofit Leadership? How I Learned to Thrive—And You Can Too

Here's the truth about nonprofit leadership: most of us never got the training we needed when we moved up.

Maybe you've felt it too. It's that sense of being thrown into the deep end, expected to lead without the guidance to make it sustainable. The weight of responsibilities, the isolation, and the constant juggle between personal values and daily demands… it's a lot. I know it all too well!

That's why, when I recently joined David Driver on his podcast Career Conversations , I knew I had to share the raw, real story of my journey into leadership—especially for those who've found themselves navigating similar waters.

How nonprofit careers begin

In part one of this two-part series, we dive into the early days of my career, moving from frontline work to nonprofit leadership with little guidance on handling the complexities that come with the role.

If you've ever found yourself overwhelmed, under-supported, or questioning your path in leadership, this conversation will speak to you. It's a reminder that even when we feel alone in our challenges, we aren't truly alone.

Others are on a similar journey, and one of the solutions is to create connections. One place you can do that is with a weekly chat through The Nonprofit Hive .

Most nonprofit leaders move up without formal leadership training

With no formal training, I had to navigate leadership largely on my own, facing challenges that would later resonate with many of my current clients:

• Feeling unsupported.
• Struggling with work-life balance, and at times.
• Losing sight of the values that initially drew me to leadership.

As David Driver and I talked, I shared pivotal stories from my life, like how I ran away from home as a teenager, how getting my degree later on in life made a huge difference to how confident I felt as a leader and how coaching transformed me and my team.

Overcoming the Challenges of Untrained Leadership

During the conversation, I opened up about the lack of resources I had when I first took on leadership roles. I know that feeling is all too familiar to many women leading in nonprofits today.

My experience taught me that while passion and dedication are essential, they aren't always enough. Without a foundation of formal leadership training, I had to navigate complex situations, from handling conflict to setting boundaries, mainly by trial and error.

And let's be real—it's exhausting trying to hold it all together without the tools. Those early challenges and using my learning strength pointed me to ongoing personal and professional development. They eventually led me to coaching, where I learned the skills I needed to survive and thrive as a leader.

Tune In, Subscribe, and Join Me for Part Two

Whether you're just starting in your leadership journey or years into the role and still feeling that gap in training, I invite you to listen in and reflect on your own story.

The next part of my conversation with David dives into the transition from leadership to coaching and the work I do now to transform leadership in the nonprofit sector.

So, if you've ever felt like you were winging it in leadership, hit "subscribe" to stay connected through my newsletter, YouTube channel , or podcast . If you know you need training and support to build your confidence and create balance in your roles without sacrificing your personal life or compromising your values, join The Training Library today!

Ready to Lead with Confidence and Impact?

The nonprofit sector doesn't always give women leaders the support and training they deserve—but that's not your fault.

I've been where you are, juggling leadership demands while trying to find balance and confidence. I created The Training Library to provide nonprofit leaders like you with practical, on-demand courses and personalized coaching, all within reach.

It's like having a trusted mentor in your corner, guiding you through every challenge.

No more second-guessing. No more struggling alone.

Inside The Training Library , you'll gain the skills and confidence to lead with ease, balance, and impact—so you can thrive at work and in life.

Master Nonprofit Leadership—With Training, You Can Trust.

Join The Training Library today and take the first step toward confident leadership.