1. When did you uncover your passion for Non-Profits?I have always had a strong desire to give back (I remember being inspired to start a Save The Rainforest club in first grade after seeing the movie FernGully – how’s that for a millennial pop culture reference!). I didn’t realize that I could pursue non-profit management as a career path, however, until college. And I came to it through my love of the arts. One of my undergraduate majors at Northwestern University was Dance, and as I began to become more involved with the arts management side of the field, I realized how much I loved bringing people together around causes that matter. And not only did I love it, but I also had a real knack for it! By the time I graduated from Northwestern, I was certain I wanted to become a leader in the non-profit sector. My current position directing development at The Autism Project (TAP) allows me to further the mission of a cause that is truly personal to me – my oldest (step)daughter has autism – and that also has a tremendous positive impact on the over 10,000 Rhode Islanders that have autism. It is honestly a privilege to be doing this work. I feel very fortunate in my professional life.
2. Any early life lessons that stand out which you would be willing to share?
Say thank you early, and say thank you often. My mother drilled this into my brain from a young age, and she was absolutely right. I cannot overstate the importance of gratitude in your professional (and personal!) life. And I am a big believer in the thank you note. A sincere thank you note can make the difference between a “yes” and a “no” – for job offers, potential partnerships, or, in my case, encouraging individuals and companies to invest in my cause. I make it a point to write two handwritten thank you notes a week. Try it! I guarantee the practice will help to open doors, increase your sense of purpose, and build important relationships.
3. Do you have any quotes or books that have shaped your daily routine?
Garry Marshall, of Pretty Woman fame, was the commencement speaker at my younger brother’s college graduation in 2012, and he had a simple message for the graduates that year – fail better. At the time, I was at a crossroads both personally and professionally, and those two words made all the difference for me. I think it is all too easy for young professionals to run away from the word “failure.” It is a word we are taught to fear, if not to actively avoid. But I believe that learning how to fail well is one of the most profound skills that you can learn. If you can fail well, that means you are resilient. It means you know how to take risks, find creative solutions, and be innovative. I see failure as absolutely necessary to success, and I try to remind myself of this in my daily work. To me, a failure is an opportunity. Walt Disney said, “I think it’s important to have a good hard failure when you’re young…Because of it I’ve never had any fear in my whole life when we’ve been near collapse…I’ve never been afraid.” Don’t be afraid! Fail better. That, and read How To Make Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie. Yes, it was published in 1936, but it’s as relevant today as it ever was and it is my go-to book when I need leadership inspiration.
4. What is a typical daily/weekly schedule like?
In the non-profit world, there is no “typical” day, but that’s one of the reasons why I love it. I have two (step)daughters, so my day usually begins around 6:30am. We’re out the door and headed to school drop-off by 7:30am, and I’m at my desk by 8:30am. On any given day at The Autism Project, I could be writing a grant, creating a plan for our next fundraising appeal, meeting a donor for lunch, managing the marketing for our annual Imagine Walk, or prepping for a Board meeting. The atmosphere is fast-paced, but we have an incredible team of people at TAP and I truly enjoy working with my colleagues in what is a highly collaborative environment. When I leave work varies depending on the projects I am working on, but evenings consist of everything from helping my (step)daughters with homework, to attending meetings for the two non-profit Boards I sit on, to going to networking or fundraising events, to doing chores, to working on my blog / website (step)mom: v. I try to make certain that I am not away from home more than two evenings per week – family time is super important to me – and I also do my best to work in exercise and relaxation time when I can (my husband and I recently instituted a weekly date night, which I highly recommend!). It’s a juggling act, and my focus and priorities will shift from week to week (some weeks my job needs more of my attention, some weeks my family does), but I am lucky to have an amazing partner who fully supports my career and various passion projects – and who reminds me to sleep. Turns out, that is really important.
5. What are some tips for millennials looking to get more active in the non-profit / start up space to ultimately take their mission and overall awareness to the next level.
Networking, networking, networking. Young professionals hear this all the time, but it’s true. You never know when you’re going to meet someone who can help your cause have a greater impact on the community. In addition to traditional networking events, I also find coffee meetings / cultivating mentorships with leaders in your field exceptionally helpful. Don’t let the business cards you collect at a networking event go to waste! Follow-up, invite your new contacts to coffee, and ask them what it is like to be an Executive Director, or Development Director, or CFO. How did they attain their leadership roles? What is one thing they wish someone had told them at 25 or 35 or 45? My mentors in the non-profit sector have made and continue to make an incredibly positive impact on my career. (Just don’t forget to write those handwritten thank you notes!) I also recommend connecting to your college alumni networks. Is there someone who graduated from your alma mater who has your dream job? Ask that person to coffee (or if they would be willing to have a phone conversation if they are not local)!
I would also encourage young professionals interested in taking their non-profit involvement to the next level to consider joining a Board of Directors or a Board committee. You will gain invaluable leadership experience, broaden your professional network, and, best of all, make a real difference for a cause that you care about.
6. What would you recommend to millennials who are at a crossroads or have not had the opportunity to broaden their horizons.
Volunteer! Even if it is only for a few hours one day per week. Pick a cause that fires you up and volunteer. It will broaden your horizons, give you the opportunity to use and develop your professional skills, connect you to new networks, further the mission of a non-profit that is meaningful to you, and make you happy. It could also lead to your next (or first!) job in the non-profit sector.
Oh, and don’t forget: fail better!
7. Who do you look up to? (Inspirational individuals in your life)
Dan Pallotta is one of my non-profit heroes. If you haven’t read his book – Uncharitable – or listened to his 2013 Ted Talk on how “the way we think about charity is dead wrong,” I highly recommend both. His work consistently reminds me of the value and impact of a career in the non-profit sector and of how important it is to not sell myself – or my work – short. My Dad. He is a very successful lawyer in NYC, but that’s not why I admire him – I admire him because he never lost his sense of wonder or appreciation for the small things in life. He is the most genuinely grateful person I know, and he takes nothing for granted. The man gets excited about a donut for breakfast. It’s an amazing way to be, and he is an exceptional role model. My (step)daughters. They are confident, creative, and brave in ways I never was at 11 and 12. They give me a lot of hope for the next generation of leaders. I hope to turn out just like them when I grow up.
Spotlight: Digital Nomad Soheila Yalpani
2. Any early life lessons that stand out which you would be willing to share?
Say thank you early, and say thank you often. My mother drilled this into my brain from a young age, and she was absolutely right. I cannot overstate the importance of gratitude in your professional (and personal!) life. And I am a big believer in the thank you note. A sincere thank you note can make the difference between a “yes” and a “no” – for job offers, potential partnerships, or, in my case, encouraging individuals and companies to invest in my cause. I make it a point to write two handwritten thank you notes a week. Try it! I guarantee the practice will help to open doors, increase your sense of purpose, and build important relationships.
3. Do you have any quotes or books that have shaped your daily routine?
Garry Marshall, of Pretty Woman fame, was the commencement speaker at my younger brother’s college graduation in 2012, and he had a simple message for the graduates that year – fail better. At the time, I was at a crossroads both personally and professionally, and those two words made all the difference for me. I think it is all too easy for young professionals to run away from the word “failure.” It is a word we are taught to fear, if not to actively avoid. But I believe that learning how to fail well is one of the most profound skills that you can learn. If you can fail well, that means you are resilient. It means you know how to take risks, find creative solutions, and be innovative. I see failure as absolutely necessary to success, and I try to remind myself of this in my daily work. To me, a failure is an opportunity. Walt Disney said, “I think it’s important to have a good hard failure when you’re young…Because of it I’ve never had any fear in my whole life when we’ve been near collapse…I’ve never been afraid.” Don’t be afraid! Fail better. That, and read How To Make Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie. Yes, it was published in 1936, but it’s as relevant today as it ever was and it is my go-to book when I need leadership inspiration.
4. What is a typical daily/weekly schedule like?
In the non-profit world, there is no “typical” day, but that’s one of the reasons why I love it. I have two (step)daughters, so my day usually begins around 6:30am. We’re out the door and headed to school drop-off by 7:30am, and I’m at my desk by 8:30am. On any given day at The Autism Project, I could be writing a grant, creating a plan for our next fundraising appeal, meeting a donor for lunch, managing the marketing for our annual Imagine Walk, or prepping for a Board meeting. The atmosphere is fast-paced, but we have an incredible team of people at TAP and I truly enjoy working with my colleagues in what is a highly collaborative environment. When I leave work varies depending on the projects I am working on, but evenings consist of everything from helping my (step)daughters with homework, to attending meetings for the two non-profit Boards I sit on, to going to networking or fundraising events, to doing chores, to working on my blog / website (step)mom: v. I try to make certain that I am not away from home more than two evenings per week – family time is super important to me – and I also do my best to work in exercise and relaxation time when I can (my husband and I recently instituted a weekly date night, which I highly recommend!). It’s a juggling act, and my focus and priorities will shift from week to week (some weeks my job needs more of my attention, some weeks my family does), but I am lucky to have an amazing partner who fully supports my career and various passion projects – and who reminds me to sleep. Turns out, that is really important.
5. What are some tips for millennials looking to get more active in the non-profit / start up space to ultimately take their mission and overall awareness to the next level.
Networking, networking, networking. Young professionals hear this all the time, but it’s true. You never know when you’re going to meet someone who can help your cause have a greater impact on the community. In addition to traditional networking events, I also find coffee meetings / cultivating mentorships with leaders in your field exceptionally helpful. Don’t let the business cards you collect at a networking event go to waste! Follow-up, invite your new contacts to coffee, and ask them what it is like to be an Executive Director, or Development Director, or CFO. How did they attain their leadership roles? What is one thing they wish someone had told them at 25 or 35 or 45? My mentors in the non-profit sector have made and continue to make an incredibly positive impact on my career. (Just don’t forget to write those handwritten thank you notes!) I also recommend connecting to your college alumni networks. Is there someone who graduated from your alma mater who has your dream job? Ask that person to coffee (or if they would be willing to have a phone conversation if they are not local)!
I would also encourage young professionals interested in taking their non-profit involvement to the next level to consider joining a Board of Directors or a Board committee. You will gain invaluable leadership experience, broaden your professional network, and, best of all, make a real difference for a cause that you care about.
6. What would you recommend to millennials who are at a crossroads or have not had the opportunity to broaden their horizons.
Volunteer! Even if it is only for a few hours one day per week. Pick a cause that fires you up and volunteer. It will broaden your horizons, give you the opportunity to use and develop your professional skills, connect you to new networks, further the mission of a non-profit that is meaningful to you, and make you happy. It could also lead to your next (or first!) job in the non-profit sector.
Oh, and don’t forget: fail better!
7. Who do you look up to? (Inspirational individuals in your life)
Dan Pallotta is one of my non-profit heroes. If you haven’t read his book – Uncharitable – or listened to his 2013 Ted Talk on how “the way we think about charity is dead wrong,” I highly recommend both. His work consistently reminds me of the value and impact of a career in the non-profit sector and of how important it is to not sell myself – or my work – short. My Dad. He is a very successful lawyer in NYC, but that’s not why I admire him – I admire him because he never lost his sense of wonder or appreciation for the small things in life. He is the most genuinely grateful person I know, and he takes nothing for granted. The man gets excited about a donut for breakfast. It’s an amazing way to be, and he is an exceptional role model. My (step)daughters. They are confident, creative, and brave in ways I never was at 11 and 12. They give me a lot of hope for the next generation of leaders. I hope to turn out just like them when I grow up.
About: