Lisa, Managing Director at Street Soccer USA: Advize Career Interview
Lisa's journey from college athlete to Managing Director at Street Soccer USA is an inspiring testament to the power of passion and resilience.
The career path began with a search for purpose, finding it in a recovery program and ultimately building a thriving organization from the ground up.
Today, the Managing Director role involves overseeing diverse programs, fundraising, and fostering a strong company culture, all while staying connected to the hands-on work of helping others.
The daily life blends involvement in all facets, from playing soccer to problem-solving and community engagement.
Key to success is resilience, heart, and the ability to build relationships, navigating the uncertainty inherent in non-profit work with a positive attitude and determination.
Fulfillment comes from seeing the tangible impact of soccer on individuals' lives and the unique opportunities that arise, such as coaching at the Homeless World Cup.
The biggest challenge is embracing ambiguity and constantly advocating for the organization's value. Thriving individuals are energetic go-getters motivated by setbacks and driven to prove the impossible.
The advice is to focus on fundraising, social media, and networking skills early on, and find mentors to provide guidance.
Ultimately, the greatest lesson is to get comfortable being uncomfortable, viewing challenges as opportunities for growth.
The athlete's background instilled invaluable values of teamwork, leadership, and work ethic, all of which are now sought-after qualities.
Sac State served as a crucial training ground, fostering relationship-building, responsibility, and the ability to navigate uncertainty.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Lisa Wrightsman
Managing Director
Street Soccer USA
Sacramento State
Communications
Nonprofit
Sales and Client Management
Scholarship Recipient, Worked 20+ Hours in School, LGBTQ, Student Athlete
Watch all of this Advizer's videos below
Career Path Of A Managing Director At Street Soccer USA
Lisa's career path began as a college athlete studying film and communications but struggling to translate passion for soccer into a career, then facing a difficult transition after college that led to substance abuse issues; however, Lisa found Street Soccer USA as a participant in recovery, which resonated deeply and led to building the Sacramento chapter "from scratch" driven by passion and eventually becoming a Managing Director. Lisa reflects that the path was not ideal and recommends seeking mentors and trying different experiences early on to discover the right fit, ultimately finding a perfect career aligning with strengths and experiences, despite it taking a long time.
Main Responsibilities of a Managing Director at Street Soccer USA
Lisa's role as Managing Director involves overseeing all programming across Sacramento, including youth programs, a social enterprise facility, and a "second chance program" for adults experiencing homelessness, with a strong focus on fundraising and strategic revenue generation since they "don't charge anybody for what we're doing." Although also managing staff, the board of directors, and focusing on company culture, Lisa stays involved in day-to-day operations like problem-solving because "that's what I love the most".
A Day In The Life Of A Managing Director At Street Soccer USA
A day in the life of a Managing Director at Street Soccer USA involves a mix of hands-on involvement, from still getting to "play soccer all the time" and being outside to problem-solving with staff and securing resources, because the nature of a nonprofit is "you're always trying to get people to learn about you". The career also relies heavily on relationship building and community engagement, as the director needs to be "out there representing what we do" and connecting with inspiring individuals whose lives have been positively impacted by the organization's work.
Most Important Skills For A Managing Director At Street Soccer USA
For a role like Managing Director at Street Soccer USA, "resilience" is paramount, as success demands the ability to persistently tell the organization's story, embrace the highs and lows, and not take "no" personally; moreover, while technical skills are valuable and can be learned, having "heart," "passion," and the ability to build strong relationships are vital for navigating the unique challenges of helping people and measuring impact beyond monetary metrics.
Favorite Parts Of Being A Managing Director At Street Soccer USA
Lisa enjoys that role allows to still "play" and build a positive environment with chosen people, where the impact of soccer on individuals facing difficult times is clearly visible, leading to personal growth and community. Moreover, the role provides unique opportunities like coaching the US Women's Street Soccer team at the Homeless World Cup, creating a sense of energy and purpose that is rare in the nonprofit sector.
Biggest Challenges Faced By A Managing Director At Street Soccer USA
The biggest challenge for Lisa, as a Managing Director at Street Soccer USA, is "getting comfortable with being uncertain" because funding for non-profits is not guaranteed, and there's inherent ambiguity in pioneering unique work, as it requires constantly explaining its value and adapting to the unknown since "we are all doing this for the first time". This constant state of uncertainty requires finding reasons to persevere despite not being able to promise people everything they want, which requires leadership and confidence.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Nonprofit Industry As A Managing Director
Lisa enjoys the "chaos and creativity" of the non-profit sector, finding the freedom to solve problems in innovative ways and connect with like-minded individuals who are passionate about giving back to the community, which creates a positive and fulfilling work environment. A challenge can be the endless opportunities and ways to achieve goals, making it hard to "turn it off", but ultimately, the rewarding feeling of being part of a community and making a difference outweighs the challenges.
Street Soccer USA Managing Director on Who Thrives in Nonprofit
Lisa describes thriving individuals at Street Soccer USA as "go-getters" with "a lot of energy" and positive leadership, who are motivated by setbacks and fueled by a "determination to prove that something exists," ultimately finding the "roller coaster" nature of the work fun and engaging. The ideal candidate sees failure as not an option, embraces the inherent ups and downs, and uses the challenging environment as a driving force to achieve the organization's mission.
What A Managing Director At Street Soccer USA Wishes They Knew Before Non-Profit Work
Lisa wishes someone had told them that the role of Managing Director is "never ending" and involves significantly more administrative and maintenance tasks than direct engagement with the organization's mission, such as coaching or event hosting; while less "fun" than doing, these responsibilities like budgeting and grant writing are essential for leadership and supporting the team.
Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Nonprofit Professionals
For undergraduates or graduate students looking for entry-level positions in the non-profit sector, Lisa recommends roles in fundraising and social media communications, emphasizing the importance of skills like event hosting and asking for money, which are relevant to any business operation, as well as volunteering and networking to demonstrate value. She highlights that non-profits often need individuals who can contribute with "minimal handholding," offering skills, creativity, and the confidence to execute tasks, which in turn provides significant value to the organization.
Significant Career Lesson From A Managing Director At Street Soccer USA
Lisa, a Managing Director at Street Soccer USA, shares that getting "comfortable being uncomfortable" is a key lesson, suggesting growth comes from pushing boundaries; furthermore, perceiving crises not as endpoints but as opportunities for "something even bigger" has been invaluable, highlighting the importance of patience and forward momentum.
College Experiences That Helped a Managing Director at Street Soccer USA Succeed
Being a Division 1 athlete provided invaluable experiences that set Lisa up for career success, teaching the importance of teamwork, leadership, and understanding team dynamics, where learning to contribute to a team culture – even without being the leader – became crucial, especially when encountering colleagues who hadn't developed such skills through sports. While college instilled a strong work ethic, the advice is to leverage college resources to define clear post-graduation goals because, upon finishing school, one might be "ready to work really hard" but lack direction and the ability to build a routine outside the structure of college.
How Identity Has Influenced A Managing Director's Career At Street Soccer USA
Being an athlete has deeply shaped Lisa's career, instilling values such as "work ethic, being willing to learn...when to lead and when to be a teammate," which are now actively sought in individuals at the nonprofit, Street Soccer USA, Lisa manages. This appreciation for the athlete's mindset and qualities is rooted in the experience of pursuing excellence in sports for the love of the game, despite the absence of professional opportunities, which now translates into admiring those who can "physically challenge themselves" and operate effectively within a team.
Advizer Personal Links
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-wrightsman-b8253b38/, @lisa.wrightsman, @streetsoccersac, @up_ssusa_park