A Day In The Life Of An Executive Director At A Non Profit
A typical day for Michael, an Executive Director at a smaller non-profit, begins with personal centering before diving into emails and connecting with volunteers, ensuring "they feel competent and supported." The day then involves program oversight, stakeholder outreach, and "going to sites of impact," directly observing programs and engaging with the community to maximize the organization's reach and influence.
Executive/Leadership, Communication, Teamwork, Problem-Solving, Community Engagement
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
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Traits
Michael Bleggi
Executive Director
Non-Profit
Duke University, 2017
UCLA Anderson MBA
Political Science, American Studies
Nonprofit, Foundations & Grantmaking
Strategic Management and Executive
Video Highlights
1. Prioritizes personal well-being to ensure focus and impact throughout the workday.
2. Regularly checks in with volunteers, providing support and ensuring their competence.
3. Spends a significant portion of the day engaging directly with programs and community stakeholders to assess impact and expand programming.
Transcript
So, what does a day in the life of an executive director look like?
My typical day involves a bit of everything. Most of my days start with taking time for myself, whether that's going to the gym or doing something else to feel centered. This helps me approach the day with focus and make the biggest impact I can.
The first thing I do when I'm on the job is check emails that may have come in overnight. I also check in with my volunteers. Since we're a smaller nonprofit, much of our work relies on part-time staff and volunteers.
I make sure they feel competent, supported, and ready for their tasks. Then, I get into the day's specific details. This includes checking on our programs and reaching out to our stakeholders.
Usually, after that morning routine, I head to our sites of impact. This might involve going directly to a program to ensure it's running well, talking with individuals at a fair, or going out into the community to make sure people are aware of our message. I also work on expanding our current programming.
I like to start the day with planning and getting work done. Then, I move into the day by being on the ground. This helps me ensure our work is creating the impact we want to see.
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