Favorite Parts of Being an Advocate at a Policy Advocacy Nonprofit
Lindsey, an advocate, attorney, and swim coach, most enjoys collaborating with "passionate and committed people" on the board of the Policy Advocacy Nonprofit, finding the diverse professional backgrounds—from the VA to the CIA—enriching and inspiring. The work's personal significance is evident in Lindsey's mention of "thoughts of suicide," highlighting the importance of seeking help and giving back through expertise and time.
Advocacy, Nonprofit Management, Mental Health, Leadership, Community Engagement
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Lindsey Kirchhoff
Advocate, Attorney, and Swim Coach
Policy Advocacy Nonprofit
US Air Force Academy
Boston College, Master of Arts in Philosophy; Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, Juris Doctor; Pepperdine Law Straus Institute, Master of Dispute Resolution
Anthropology, Sociology
Law
Operations and Project Management
Veteran, Student Athlete
Video Highlights
1. Working with passionate and committed people who are dedicated to the mission of helping veterans overcome invisible injuries.
2. The opportunity to collaborate with individuals from diverse professional backgrounds, including those from the CIA, entrepreneurs, and leaders in branding and strategy.
3. The importance of seeking help for mental health challenges and the role of therapy in maintaining well-being, a topic relevant to all career paths
Transcript
What do you enjoy most about being in your current role?
One thing I love about my current role is that I get to work with passionate and committed people. As the operations manager for the board, I work with individuals who have dedicated their lives to our mission.
Some have jobs unrelated to law or advocacy, while others on the board are in professions directly aligned with our mission: to help veterans overcome invisible injuries and reintegrate into our communities.
For example, we have a board member who works for Veterans Affairs, commonly known as the VA. The VA is a medical system for military veterans, and he works in suicide prevention, assisting veterans who are struggling with thoughts of suicide.
Military veterans are not the only ones who struggle with this. I've personally dealt with thoughts of suicide before. The important thing to remember is to get help and not deal with it alone. We all go through difficult times and need each other.
I see a therapist on a weekly basis, and it has been very healthy and important for me. I really enjoy working with these passionate people.
Even though not everyone on our board works directly with veterans or in mental health, other members bring diverse expertise. One was in the CIA, another has owned a company, and another is the founder and president of a branding and strategy organization.
These board members are able to give their time because they have worked hard in their professional lives and now have extra to give. They've worked so diligently that they can donate their time to causes like ours.
It's interesting to consider how you want to give back in your own life. One way is through donations to organizations like this, as there are many great ones.
However, you can also help people through your expertise, experience, and education.