I cringe at the word “non-profit.” I do everything I can to never use it. I know that’s how Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County (BBBS) is categorized, but it implies that money isn’t important. I think it diminishes the efforts, seriousness and intellect of those who run them. We are fortunate that we have a higher purpose than profit; we are motivated through serving more children, curing disease and housing families. While it may not be our main goal, I certainly would like to end every year with a profit. Not a large one necessarily, because then I would have left the opportunity to serve more children on the table. By focusing on ending the year with a profit I am really focusing on next year’s growth. A profit means we can serve more children the next year.
I’ve been the CEO of BBBS for two years. Chief Executive Officer – another string of words I don’t like – as a phrase, it seems kind of redundant. I spent the first three months on the job gauging what title would better fit the position within BBBS and myself.
When I was hired, my board chair at the time lovingly described me to the team as an executioner; nervous laughter ensued. He then corrected that to executor, and, in the end, what he (hopefully) intended to say was that I implement ideas. I am a change agent, which is why I was hired as the Chief of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County. So I threw around that title, Chief Execution Officer, but I didn’t think that would win me any new friends. This was my first CEO title, and I was eager to own it in my own way. There is a difference between COO and CEO and I had to make the jump… Finally after living the day-to-day of my job and really thinking about what leadership means to me, I thought of a title that I genuinely liked: Chief Empowerment Officer.
Putting it simply, my job is to bring in brilliant people and empower them. They are my priority and if I don’t get anything done on my personal to-do list because I’ve spent the afternoon acting as a sounding board for my team, then I’ve had a successful day. They are the engines that drive us forward, and I only hire the best. They allow me to go out into the world, raise money and serve more children.
Many people have asked how I ended up at BBBS. I studied accounting and economics in college, have an MBA, and spent the first tenure of my career in finance, accounting and academics. I do not have the traditional pedigree of a “Social Impact Sector” CEO.
I used to think that the only people who truly loved their jobs were pop singers and athletes. I was wrong. I really love my job.
I left my career so I could make an impact. No other industry allows you to do that. But I wanted to do it differently – smart, efficient, and with scale. I focus on socio-economic change, getting kids to break the cycle of poverty and violence by becoming the first in their family to graduate high school. A positive relationship with adult role models is the best way to change a child’s trajectory. That’s what we do. We change the lives of children for the better, forever. Who wouldn’t love that?
In the few years that I’ve been with BBBS, I’ve seen the for-profit/nonprofit relationship change. Corporations now want to build more meaningful relationships with local charities. There is another bubble in OC that you don’t see on TV. We have large areas of low-income, under-educated, high incarceration communities surrounded by very affluent neighborhoods. The close proximity of big-business and communities that are in need provides a unique opportunity for corporate involvement.
Social responsibility programs have become a pillar on which businesses stand. It builds trust in their employees, customers, and stakeholders. Involving employees strengthens bonds, creates loyalty and makes employees more productive. One off volunteering is wonderful, but the positive effects of that time quickly fade into phone calls and emails and meetings. Consistent, one-to-one involvement in a mentoring relationship like BBBS changes the volunteering game for corporations and their employees. It allows them to feel a little bit of what makes me love my job, which carries them through to the next time they see their “Little.” There is no denying, when communities are thriving, so are local businesses.
Our community partner program gives businesses ways to become more involved, rather than just writing a check. Building long-term relationships has become the best way for SIO’s and businesses to collaborate.
As Chief Empowerment Officer of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County, I am in the fortunate position to be able to fuel collaboration between the business world and the world of philanthropy. The goals of corporations and charities are merging, and this will ultimately strengthen the foundation of the Orange County community.
To learn more about the impact Big Brothers Big Sisters is making in Orange County please visit www.OCBigs.org and get involved.
