What a Program Director at Girls Inc of Alameda County Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Non-Profit Industry
Johanna, a Director of Program Quality, Training and Assessment, learned that "fighting institutions is really hard," and that systemic change within organizations rooted in "white supremacy" and limited access takes far longer than anticipated. This realization led to a shift in their approach, moving from initially feeling angry and frustrated to developing more patience and self-compassion.
Overcoming Challenges, Resilience, Executive/Leadership, Industry Realities, Workplace Challenges
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
johanna masis
Director of Program Quality, Training and Assessment
Girls Incorporated of Alameda County
U of A, Tucson and UC Santa Barbara
Holy Names University, MA ESL
Humanities
Education
Operations and Project Management
Immigrant, Transfer Student, Student Athlete
Video Highlights
1. Change in institutions is slow and requires patience.
2. Fighting ingrained systemic issues requires persistence and can be emotionally taxing.
3. Self-compassion and grace are crucial when facing setbacks in the face of systemic opposition
Transcript
What have you learned about this role that you wish someone would have told you before you entered the industry?
Fighting institutions is really hard. Change doesn't happen overnight, or even in a couple of years. Change takes a long time.
I'm sure our predecessors in social justice movements understood this, but I wish I had known more that this was just going to take time. When you have institutions rooted in white supremacy and access for only certain kinds of people, it's jarring.
You start to wonder, "Wait a second, I have my degree. I did these things. Why am I not changing? What is happening?" You question why you can't move the needle on issues.
It's because you're fighting an institution that is beyond your scope. If someone had told me this, I would have been more patient with myself. My response to being told "no" has changed over time.
I used to be very loud and angry. That's because I knew I was representing my community at the table, and I felt like I was letting them down. I think I would have given myself more grace had I known this in advance.