MNM Leaders Shining
In 2008, I began my Masters in Nonprofit Management (MNM) program at Regis University hoping to prove some of the detractors that I met in job interviews wrong. After being turned down for two jobs because I “didn’t have enough work experience or continuing education,” I wanted to prove that I could get real life experience and enhance my education at the same time. I never wanted either of these factors to be the reason I didn’t get a job.
So I set out in learning more about the nonprofit sector by learning from leaders of our community. From grassroots organizers and consultants, to executive directors and foundation program officers, these leaders had shined in their careers and were sharing their knowledge. At the time, I looked up to these individuals as the “rockstars” of our industry. I hung onto their stories of bringing down corrupt organizations in the 70s and 80s and about their work helping international organizations thrive. I took classes with the same teachers over and over so I could glean more from them.
Their stories made the classes more entertaining but at the time, I was also taken back by the feeling that the program felt like it was second or third tier masters program. There wasn’t really anything “sexy” about the program. The classes were held often in the basement at the Thornton building. The program felt like it was a rogue program of Regis and didn’t carry any weight in any of the other departments. And in comparison with other programs like a masters in public administration, it didn’t feel like it was a valued degree.
By the time I felt this way, I only had four more classes to complete my degree. My credits wouldn’t transfer anywhere else and I was “stuck.” I was stuck listening to the same stories and meeting with other students who were having similar experiences. I dragged my feet through my last course thinking that I had missed the opportunity to get a more prestigious degree.
Boy was I wrong.
I missed the fact that the people in my classes and the MNM program were actually the best part of the whole program. These are the people that I have continually checked in with over the last decade. These are the people that have helped me through the ups and downs of my nonprofit career. These are the people that I networked with as I looked for new jobs and helped me find new opportunities that I could never have imagined.
And these are the people that are changing and leading the nonprofit sector around Denver and beyond. These are the people that I look up to and have enjoyed watching them grow into the leaders that the MNM program produced.
Traci is using her passion and leadership to transform higher education. Kaye is a fundraising maven who has helped raise money to save Asian animals and a local food bank. Nia who has served as an executive director and recently launched a nonprofit podcast sharing her wisdom and knowledge with people around the country. Tonya who is an advocate for her family while also serving as a nonprofit stewardship guru. Elizabeth who helps a large corporate company give back to the community through volunteering and financial gifts. Louise who has helped build a library foundation into a force of the community. Diana who was recently named as president and CEO of an organization working to improve the lives of those aging.
These are just a few of the MNM leaders who are shining and have helped me see that my degree not only helped me accomplish where I am today but has laid the foundation to a brighter future for the Colorado nonprofit sector and beyond.
Have you met an MNM leader making an impact in your community? If so, let me know who they are so that I can highlight them and their stories in the future.