The best leaders realize that learning never stops. There are always opportunities to grow your skills like listening to your team, providing valuable feedback and balancing accountability with inspiration. As quickly as things change in the nonprofit world, SEEDS leadership never stops working to build resilient communities across all of our different program areas!
To gain insight into the SEEDS leadership team, we asked the question: What makes an effective leader in the nonprofit world? There are so many ways to be a leader in your community!
Sarna Salzman
Executive Director
What makes an effective leader in the nonprofit world?
“An effective leader monitors their ratio of questions to statements.”
Sandy Ehlers
EcoSchool Program Director
What makes an effective leader in the nonprofit world?
“It’s important to have a desire to help others in order to be an effective leader in the nonprofit world. In addition, a
leader in a non-profit needs to be organized, able to motivate others, plan strategically, and be aware of the financial realities of working in a non-profit.”
Kris Hall
EcoSchool Assist. Program Director
What makes an effective leader in the nonprofit world?
“An effective leader in the nonprofit world has to wear numerous ‘hats.’ They need to have the ability to enact the
vision of their organization while juggling the needs of the staff, communities, and entities they collaborate with.”
Elizabeth Dunham
Fundraising Director
What makes an effective leader in the nonprofit world?
“To be an effective leader, prioritize collaboration. Our region’s challenges are too complex for anyone to solve on their own.”
Jennifer Flynn
EcoCorps Program Director
What makes an effective leader in the nonprofit world?
“It’s important to keep mission in mind when working in service. Sharing your personal ‘why’ for doing
the work in connection with mission inspires agency in others to become active and engaged in change making.“
Emma Kelly
HR Manager
What makes an effective leader in the nonprofit world?
“Being empathetic and understanding towards the people leaders serve allows them to address the needs and concerns of the communities they are in. By
being attuned to these needs and perspectives, leaders can design programs that are responsive, effective and impactful.”
Tetyana Kotsekon
Controller
What makes an effective leader in the nonprofit world?
“Effective nonprofit leaders are role models for the community, and they must demonstrate an innate commitment to values such as honesty, responsibility,
service to others, respect and transparency. It is hard work, but it is rewarding to see the positive changes that come to life and help present and future generations to flourish.”
