Nonprofits are faced with more challenges to accomplish their missions and the growing pressure to do more, raise more and be more for the causes that improve our world.
We're here to learn with you from some of the best in the industry, bringing the most innovative ideas, inspirational stories, all to create an Impact Uprising.
So welcome to the good community, where Nonprofit Professionals, philanthropist, world changers and rabid fans who are striving to bring a little more goodness into the world.
So let's get started. Becky,
favorite. It's happening.
Like we've been so excited for this day, because very few times can we say on the podcast that, you know, we've had our guest cruises across New York City in the backseat of their car with all of our luggage. And that is Virginia. Today. I'm so delighted to have her on the podcast, because not only has she been part of this community, really one of the OG community members, but somebody that has been an encourager to us, has surrounded the people of the We Are For Good community with love, encouragement, support. And she's this incredible consultant that, you know, this is not her full time job support into this place. But she's doing that working with some of the most incredible organizations too. So it's a huge honor to have Virginia almond dar as with us. She's the founder of fund strategy, which is this incredible consultancy where she blends strategy and coaching and channeling her 20 plus years in the nonprofit sector as a development professional. So she supports executives not only in raising money for their organizations, but helping them build and improve their ops and their programs. And y'all, she doesn't just work with just, you know, these random nonprofits, she works with some of the most iconic institutions such as, you know, the Apollo Theater, the Puerto Rican Conservation Trust, NYU, and with the City University of New York. So we're going to spend a little bit of time with her and tell you this conversation as we pour in today. We're all talking all about developing the right mindsets to unlock innovation and creativity. And honestly, there's no one else I'd rather be having this conversation with than our friend Virginia. Get into this house, my friend, it is so good to see you IRL one more time.
Hi, hi, bestie
Hi, menses. Oh, I made it mom and dad. I made it.
Congratulations. Yeah, I
mean, I will say when we have to assess when we saw Virginia person, we were doing this event with salesforce.org. In New York City, which was a great thing. Thanks for telling this story. And literally, I was either getting off the elevator or leaving the restroom. Like I just like left a threshold from somewhere different. In there in front of me was Virginia. And just because we've known each other for all these months, and I think I squealed and then I, you know, we took you to Becky and then She squealed and then Julie, and it was just
sitting in the lobby. You literally saw that we were there on social media, got in the car from New Jersey, drove to New York City, and then loaded all of our crap, like
Uber, I'm gonna take you to dinner.
I was like the kindest thing ever the way this community shows up. You really are one of the Oh, geez, it's so good to have you here.
Thank you. Thank you. It was in New York Minute. That may be a few hours. I love to say that that experience was like seeing celebrities, but they're your best friends. And you're just
and we thought you were the celebrity experience an introduction? It was it was so fun. Well, I mean, that night, I know we were like, okay, when you come in on the podcast. So we've been really counting down the days for this. And you know, before we jump into all the goods, we just want to hear your story and share your story with the community. Like tell us a little bit about growing up. And what led you into this incredible work in the nonprofit space.
Wow. Thank you. Thank you. Well, I grew up in Brooklyn, Brooklyn, New York in the 80s. Brooklyn, the 90s in the early 2000s. Right. And so I grew up in this little subsection of Park Slope, everyone knows Park Slope, but I grew up in Windsor terrace. And I feel super fortunate to have had the upbringing that I did, because I think it really influenced my life trajectory. So I was surrounded by diversity, right? So like, my neighbors next door were Indian. They were Colombian and Puerto Rican and Dominican and my family was Mexican is Mexican. And then right down the blog, we had Irish a really big Irish community and Italians, right. And so I'm like growing up in the epitome of a global landscape like Every day, just difference. And I think back then to wasn't, it wasn't like a thing, right? It was just like we're all human beings, we all have differences, we're like playing in the streets and, and doing all of that. So I think that was really a great experience for me to appreciate diversity and culture. And then I'm also a product of arts and education. So like my public school experience, exactly. I remember constantly being surrounded by music, art, watercolors going to Broadway shows as part of my English class, you know, doing an immersion in Japanese culture, right. So it's like all of these, like, really cool, rich experiences that kind of led me on this path that I have in this, this lens that I see the world in. So I growing up, I thought I was going to be a stockbroker. Oh my gosh. So with all of
that, there are people that actually ideate that that is fascinating. Like I had this,
obviously, being a, you know, being of immigrant having immigrant parents, economic stability is really important. But I was also always fascinated by money, and success. And so I saw that right, and then being in New York and right, so I kind of followed that path. And, you know, went to the University of Buffalo, huge school, studied business. But all the while having arts really be a part of my life, and was taking dance classes, you know, throughout high school, and then in college. And just as I'm about to graduate, I was doing internships at JP Morgan. Funny enough, I was ready to graduate college, and I was doing a rotation I was in this program in Rhodes, where they pretty much groom you not only in the hard skills, but really soft skills. So we learned dining etiquette, how to network like, really be have a presence in the business field. And so I'm in this program. I'm the only kid like from not from an Ivy League school, I'm in a public college, I'm about to graduate college, they're giving me my next assignment, so to speak, I got accepted into the Wealth Management Division.
Oh, here we go. Before
I knew what wealth management was. Yeah, so I'm like, You know what, I don't want to do this. So I had supervisors tell me, they're like Virginia, but do you do and here, like, clearly, you have a lot of interest. Like, you don't want to be us, like 3040 years, like doing this thing. Like you need to go and do something else. And why do I had my ideas already? And so someone said, Hey, did you ever think about arts administration, and up until that point, I had not heard about this career path. I'm like, Tell me more. And so you know, I said, I don't want to be a performer, right. And this is going to kind of play a role later on. I don't want to be a performer, but I want to bring together my business acumen, my love for the arts, and like, what is there for me? So hence, they're like, Hey, there's this great program at NYU, that's a master's in arts administration. Let's do it. So get into the program, get an internship at the Kennedy Center, go to Europe for commercial 30 days to study arts administration and international contexts in Germany, in France, and an Amsterdam come back and I meet my development professor, who ends up being the executive director of Queens Theatre in the park, Jeff Rosenstock, he becomes my mentor and lifelong friends, and pretty much sets me on this path of fundraising. For Jess, you know, and I go on to, to have this like, you know, love of, you know, bringing in all of these amazing resources into these organizations. And I learned and was exposed to so much at it in my career at such a young age, like, Development Director pretty much at like, 22 and trying to figure out like, what is happening? And I was fortunate enough to so you know, became development director, you know, smaller organizations. I'm like, hey, I need to learn a lot more. Then came, I went back to NYU, they hired me as a generalist, and I worked under the presidency of John Sexton, who is the most charismatic president I have ever met. You He kept a course load including his freshman seminar, baseball and an on how baseball and the path leading to God. Like that was his class. Right?
And yeah, my
head is tilted. I'm like, This is so curious. Right.
And it was great. Like he was such a dynamic leader. And being at NYU, as you guys call it, the land of milk and honey, right? On your person development team. And we had some aggressive goals, we were raising $2.5 billion. And I campaigns folks, and we were charged with going out and soliciting and meeting people five days a week, at least. And then when we were on the road, we would need to have four to five meetings a day solicitation meetings,
was that's aggressive? Yeah, yeah. So it's like Day, a day, oh, my God, we
wouldn't be maybe three or four days, we would just get out in the pavement. I mean, it was really cool. It really was because some for many people, it was the first time they were hearing from the University in a long time. And you know, it's people love to talk and tell their stories. So and I love to hear it, I love to hear it. And, and it was great. I mean, it was, it was a great time. And you know, here we are 20 years later. Wow,
I love the background story, my friend. I mean, and I tell you, I just learned quite a bit there. And just this thread of community and culture, and creativity has just been a constant in your life. And I have to say, when people, most people will just be listening to this in an audio format, but your entire carriage and your face is lit up when you talk about it. And I am not going to diminish the stockbrokers of our world. Thank you for what you doing your service. But what a loss that would have been to us if we couldn't have taken that vibrancy. And I think one of the things that we were most intrigued about is that you wanted to talk about mindsets and innovation. Because I think a lot of people when they think about a super seasoned major gift officer or a principal gift officer, they want to go into that deep strategy. And you're like, hold on, hold on, let's not talk about the frameworks. Let's talk about how to get our head right. And this and I think that is a really wise idea. And so let's dive a little bit into this concept around mindsets, because it kind of feels like we're getting 30 minutes of coaching with one of our favorite coaches that like leadership coaches. So in just in the belief that creativity, innovation and growth are so reliant on having the right mindset. So talk to us about how mindsets really played a role throughout your fundraising career and how you're coaching leaders today, to get into that abundant mindset that kind of sets the trajectory for what's all to come? Yeah,
that's a big question. Huge question. And
you can knock it out of the park. I know it.
So let me just say I always go at it from a place of your money stuff is not your donors money stuff. So that's one I mean, that's like one kind of basic thing that we often talk about. Because you bring that right, so So when we're talking about mindset, there's so many layers to this, obviously, in fundraising there and money in our relationship with money. It's like, it's so sensitive, and it can be very triggering, and we can just ignore it. So to some degree, there needs to be some work around like, what is your relationship with money? And what are you bring into the How are you bringing that to the conversation? What do you what, what beliefs are you bringing to the conversation? So that's like, kind of one thing, right? Then there's always we always need to remember, it's not about you. It's not about us, to a certain degree, as fundraisers as people in the nonprofit sector. Of course, we're very giving, and for a long time, it has not been about us, which has caused burnout, but in this sense, it is not about us, we are working towards a problem. We are working towards solving super important problems. And so sometimes I bring people to the Big Vision, like what is the thing out there? What is the transformation that we are trying to create? Let's focus on that. Because when we get into what do I have to say, or you know, do I belong there? Or am I going to, you know, is he are they going to like me, that's when we get very, we shrink ourselves, we shrink our capacity. And so let's go When in doubt, focus out, let's think about this transformation that we can create whether it's, you know, allowing people to have a scholarship to attend this college to pursue their dreams in order for them to become the next amazing scientist or create chat, GBT, you know, like, there is just so much that's possible, or, you know, like with arts and education, or even climate change that we're dealing with? Like, how do we bring along and have these conversations with people to be partners with us to achieve this larger vision that is so much greater than us? So I think, going into these conversations with leaders, it's important to have that to have that conversation. Right. So that's kind of like the second pillar. And then the third, I would say, is sometimes it's cultural, right? Like, especially myself being part of a Latino background and working with different organizations of color. What is that cultural thing that's happening? That may be getting in the way of us being successful? And tied within that culture? It could be about money, it could be about how we talk or how do we assert ourselves or gender roles, like? So there's a lot of kind of nuanced pieces there that I'm constantly learning about more and more. So I think there needs to be a sensitivity around around that, and having really frank, sometimes difficult conversations about like, where are we at, or this is my experience of what's happening? I think I sit in a in a row. That's
gentle, that's good, right?
I sit in a really cool place where I'm like, Okay, what what's happening, and this is my experience of what's happening and what I'm seeing, I'm not saying that you are XY and Z, because sometimes they can shut down and get defensive. So rather, it's really, what is the experience that's being created by the activities and behaviors that are happening?
I mean, my friend, I just look at your story. And I even the way you answer that question from spending time together, and you are just so awake, to just the movement around you the diversity that's been around you from the very beginning. And I think it's very clear to me what your values are in life just for how you've created the life that you live. And I think even serving in somewhere like NYU, and the goal is two and a half billion, how do you not get lost, you know, in the middle of that. So I want you to talk about, you know, how do we pour into the values and even our personal mission, and get into alignment of that, even when we're at these big organizations that the vision you talk about is beyond what any of us could do on our own? How do we get in alignment and find the right place to be?
Yeah, so I'm a big believer of reflection, right? Do it, and many different points in the year. And so you got to look at themes, like what's happening in your own life, what's bringing you great joy, what is triggering you, because especially those things that trigger you can tell you something's off. And I will give a great example. So integrity. And let me say this, too, our values will change with the seasons, right? And I think we all need to give ourselves grace, to be able to move and be nimble and discover your own values, right? It's not like, Okay, this is my value, and this is who I am. And this is who I'm going to be. And by the way, it's changing now, because I had a different experience. We all have different experiences we grow, right? So give yourself grace, if you feel like you've been one way at one point, and now maybe you coming into a different season, and it's like, hey, this doesn't work for me anymore. Now it's time to transition, right? And so, so going back to my example, I discovered that one of my values was integrity. And integrity is hard, right? Integrity and integrity is big. So I discovered this because I was working through a lot of frustration at some of the places that I was working with and projects that I was working on. And I realized that I was finding that people were not being in integrity with their word in relationship with me. And it really caused like some crazy discomfort. It wasn't like, okay, whatever they promised me X, Y and Z. It's not happening, but it was to my core like waking me up. It Every day, there was this deep frustration that didn't allow me to do the work.
And you give us an example of that, because I'm really curious about what you're saying
here. Yeah. So okay, so if it's, it can be small things of like, you know, sometimes we'd have like competitions, you know, right. Like, we like a little
Oh, yeah, it happens. And so,
you know, if you are promising, you know, we're gonna get some type of bonus for doing what we said that we would do. And then all of a sudden, we hit our we hit our targets. And it's like, Who What did I say that I never said that. And boo, you're triggering me
now. Deep,
deep in my core, there's not even an acknowledgement of like, Hey, this is what I said. Now. It's because also too, I am very much in integrity with what I'm with my commitment to you. So and I don't make commitments that loosely. And so if I'm telling you, hey, I'm going to get something to you by next Wednesday, I'm either going to do it or say, I'm not there yet. Give me some time. Right. So it's not only about reaching that commitment, but also being in relationship and being in communication, if you're not going to make that commitment. That's it right. Now. Say your value was respect. And I can remember, you know, early on in my career, doing some jobs or whatever, or even with donors, right? Sometimes people will come at you screaming at you, like, I can't believe this, and what are you doing here? Or in customer service? Like, would like come at you? And I'm like, okay, okay, totally fine. If respect was a value to be, then it probably would have triggered me and saying, like, Whoa, this is like, ah, something's happening. I can't, you know, they're just, they're just doing something that is really on, on comfortable in my core, that is not my value. So I'm able to just kind of say, Okay, I'm able to listen to you and digest and like, we can respond. So I think those times where something just really feels off, you want to listen to that, because your soul is telling you something
for and that's good,
that is good. And I and I have to tell you, I, I have felt that I know, each of us have felt that so much in our work. I mean, John, and I call it the Jim Halpert face, like when something would happen, or something would be said in a meeting, you would see both of our heads go up immediately, and our eyes would lock in, we would make the Halpert face with our eyes like, there you go, that just happened. And I think you know that somatic work is really good listening to your body. And and I think if you go back to the values piece, you can reconcile what didn't feel good about that. And I, I remember, last last year, when we were putting on our 20 to 2022 trends, Mallory Erickson came on and talked about this too. And something she said that is wholly aligned with what you're saying is, a lot of people think that mindset work is optional. And the reality is we have certain mindsets. So the work is either around having a mindset that's beneficial to our work, or just accepting that this is the mindset we're going to live in and knowing that it's harmful. So like, let's get into that. And I think you really express this beautifully when you talk about these long held hidden beliefs that are in fundraising. And I think some of them just aren't even talked about. So can you break some of those down for us, you know, talk about the survival tactics versus the thriving tactics that are holding leaders back and what we can learn from
food. All right, we're about to go deep now. Now we are ready. All right. So usually in life, right. I think sometimes you can't write you can separate. This is our life's work. I think fundraising. Many of us do not get into fundraising, because it's like, oh, it's a job. Like we are really connected to the mission, we are investing our whole selves into our career. And so with that, we bring all of these beliefs that I just talked about, like cultural beliefs, gender beliefs. Now there is there are points in our lives, pivotal points in our lives that determine if we're going to be in survival mode, or if we're going to be in thriving mode. And so if you think about certain point where in your young childhood teens and adolescents in high school, something will happen that will trigger something that then puts you into a survival mode. So I'll give you an example that actually led me to be a fundraiser. So, in my high school career, we were applying for college. And so I'm like, Hey, I'm gonna go to University of Buffalo is what I want to do. This is great. I've seen on paper and never went to go visit, it was just oh my gosh, I adore door. That's awesome. So I go to my guidance counselor. And so I'm, I'm excited at this point, right? Because you know, you're going through this process, you have an idea. And I go to my guidance counselor, and my guidance counselor says, you're not getting in their foot without really looking or knowing or even encouraged. He's like, flat out, no. Okay. Now, so what this created was in me was, you know, I'm not, I'm not good enough to do this. But I will show you. And so I've gone through this career, in this survival mode of I will show you I will not take no for an answer. There you go. And as a fundraiser, right, we're taking no constantly. And so that becomes without the awareness, it becomes this survival mode of, I'm going to show you I can do this, we're going to push through, because there's almost like a proving right. And this came through some time this, this awareness came through time. So now that I have this ability to understand where my come from is, I'm no longer trying to survive and prove myself. But now I can make a different choice and say, Wait a second, I don't have to prove myself. So my conference is going to be like, Hey, we're going to create transformation here is an investment in this in this program, like I have. It's not a competition amongst my peers, amongst other organizations, but I'm coming from it from a place of abundance. Yep. And I'm enough in I matter, as opposed to, I got to prove myself. Wow.
So good. And I just thank you for bringing it back to that feels better. We want to go to work more we enjoy the people we work with. We're inspired by the work. And lastly, what is the name of your high school guidance counselor? What is an itemized list of his fears? Because I would like to reconcile that issue.
A cow, I mean, I just love that you're in this space of being a coach, because I'm like, you're gonna get signups for this conversation, because I'm feeling that coaching that surrounding us. But I just want you to speak into you know, in your work, what do you see often is the cause of the inability or the ability to bring about innovation and creativity to our work because, I mean, we're both creatives at heart here. It's just like, we know what it could unlock. If we reject the scarcity. If we step into the abundance and step into innovative culture, you know, at our organizations, what do you think's missing?
Words matter, John? Right. Words matter. And so, so I think a couple of things, right. So yes, we have that scarcity. mindset right now, which we got to move to abundance, we got to move to I am enough, we got to move to AI matter. And when we especially when it comes to technology, right, for for a while, I said to myself, I was saying to myself, like, Oh, I'm not good with technology. I'm not good with technology. So guess what, you're not going to be good with technology. And so I moved away from that and was like, Okay, I'm curious. I'm curious about what how this works, or what this means, right? And I'm all about work harder, not smarter. So people, nonprofit tears, like technology is your friend and can help you work smarter, not harder. There may be a learning curve, there may be right we get in our own way. If it's uncomfortable. It's like, oh, I don't want to do this. Right. So take it in bite size. bite sizes. I didn't really understand. For instance, Chad GPT at first started hearing it on the news, you know, hey, like we have a show Sunday morning, right on channels to CBS. And they have all these feel good stories. And I watch these stories sometimes because I'm like, Okay, what's going on? Like what's new, like, I don't have time to watch that. was to, like, I want good news. And they bring like, they bring up some interesting things because we're, again, we read all the time, we're taking in so much information. And sometimes I just need to figure out a different way to get that information in. And so I'm always, you know, so you know, everybody's talking about chat GBT. So it's like, Okay, what's the first step I need to do? Oh, maybe download it on my computer. Then play with it. Right? And I think sometimes we got to approach life and work as play. Like, play, be curious have wonder have all like, and when we think about creativity, remove yourself from the day to day. So what I mean by that is, okay, yes, of course, I draw inspiration from art, going to a museum. I also do scrapbooking, because I get to use tactilely, right, my hands, and it motivates us to another part of the brain, where I'll go to a symphony, I'll go to a concert, all these things, when you can just like shift your mind into something different. It gives you space to see it in a different way. And to be able to say, oh, okay, let me let me learn a little bit more about this, I have my brain rested on like, the technology, the communication thing, but I got inspiration from this art piece. And just really surprising things or nature, right, like, walking in nature and seeing the grandiose of like the sky and the trees and like the development of like, as trees blossom and everything. It just, it brings you to life. So with innovation, you want to figure out like how can I do this better? Like, ask questions. And that's really what sparks that creativity, and innovation, I think,
okay, all of this is just making us have hearts in our eyeballs. And of course it does, because we're creatives at heart and when you are mired in the heavy tactical work that is always consuming us, then you don't have time to consume the joy. And I think what you've disrupted in this conversation for me, is you took this concept about mindsets and fundraising and strategy. And you took it back to the human and said, this is about you. And how many times a nonprofit Do we ever get to make it about us, it's never about us. It's always about the mission. It's always about the dollar goal or what the donor wants. And I really feel like this has been an empowering conversation, we're giving the keys of the Kingdom back to us and saying, Actually, we can be as effective. If actually, we can be more effective in this work. If we're better aligned, if we create this space for creativity and pouring into the things that do bring us joy. But I think just as we're powering through 2023, we're, you know, getting hit with a lot of sobering realities about the world about this sector. And I think normalizing rest has got to be central that to this. And making sure as we go into these mindsets as we recenter the way that we move through this work, I think keeping up with all of the innovation, keeping up with what's trending, it can be really exhausting. Again, because you are burdened by those tactics, things are moving much more quickly and nonprofit than they ever have historically been. And so what advice would you give to leaders for how to balance their day to day work, while also keeping up with that latest technology and innovation? Yeah, absolutely.
Well, I want to say, I want to publicly thank you guys too, for creating the space. Honestly, it really is like I have come to the podcast and to the community to spark those thoughts of innovation. So even in the day to day, if we are taking that moment to take the walk like I'm listening to Becky and John and like what guests they have about, you know building community about events or or you know, bookmarking something short that I get to look at, you know, during a break because we do have to schedule breaks. And during that time, remove yourself from the space and look at something that you are wanting to learn more about, especially in the very beginning stages, just just take a second give yourself that space because you are going to be that much more giving within your or position within your organization and within your community, when you are actually taking the time to think outside the box. And so, you know, spaces like We Are For Good is really what helps me what has helped me honestly this past, you know, year two years to not only deepen my relationships with my fellow fundraisers, to meet new people and right and having these conversations, honestly, like, yeah, I moved out of New York into New Jersey, so I have to be more intentional about my community and making connections, right? Because when you're in New York, you're like, Hey, what the hustle and bustle, you can go to any, any networking event and like, find your people. And that's not as available to me anymore. So I rely, I have really relied on this community, for brainstorming for meeting interesting new people. And I'm not going to know everything, and I don't want to read everything. Some things I want to hear about somebody I want to have conversations about. So I think in our day to day, it's, it can very easily we can have tunnel vision very easily. But we can go way farther together, instead of trying to do this on our own. And so yes, I rely on my friends over here.
I'm not crying, you're crying,
I'm hearing the song, I have a little help from a friend.
And I reflect back something to you a little compliment that I want to give listeners just some insight on. Thank you one for those really kind words. And honestly, that those kinds of words are the fuel that keeps us going, because that's exactly why we built this community. And I want to compliment you and say, the way you have shown up in this community is so proactive. It is so open handed. I mean, and I appreciate you also saying you don't listen to everything. Because my gosh, who has time to consume three, we're for good podcasts a week good for you. I'm trying to I do about two and a half. So if we're being honest here, because I do listen to other podcasts. And I'm a mom, and we're working on other things. And so find the stuff that strikes you and I will say Virginia's just really leaned in, she has multiple times, emailed us and said, Hey, I really liked this episode, would you connect me to the person to this guest, I think we could cobuild something I'd like more insight on that. And we do it. And when we release and you go, you have poured into our ungettable get list at you, I know you have lifted at least two to three of our ungettable get list up to the fray, which just is so hard expanding, you come to community and coffee, you've been on LinkedIn lives. And I just think the way that you show up is expressive of exactly how you move through this life with an open hand with generosity. And I just thank you for those kind words. And I wanted to make sure that everybody knew you do that, too. So thank you for what you give to us.
Yeah, thank you guys. I mean, it's easy. It's, it's honest, you guys have been and you know, this is not for like, you know, complimentary training, whatever you want to call it.
No, you go, no, we'll go
quickly, physically, authentically, you know, I, I've been in the industry for a while. And it's easy to like, do the same thing and go on, right. And obviously, there was a big shift in 2020. And, to a certain degree, I am grateful because it really flipped everything on its head. And I feel like you both three, your entire team have really created a space of thinking outside the box and like what's new, and it's like people you either need to get on the train line get on or you're going to be left behind and and what's at stake. Right. The question is what is at stake? There are so like you said, there are so many things happening in our world today. We are in a unique position to really make change. Like at the end of the day. This is why we do what we do. I think at first as fundraiser sometimes and I'm guilty of this too, where I'm like, I'm not a program officer so I'm not really like on the ground. I don't have my hands. I'm not like creating that. And that's something that I have often struggled and challenged were but we are really key and pivotal to this change movement and being able to solve these Super important problems like, I try not to, like worry about these things too much, because like, I will go down or rabbit all. But it's, you know, like there's a lot of stuff happening. And so any way that I can help to foster to community spread love, make somebody's life easier or help someone like, that's my mission people.
I mean, we know it, because we've seen you live it, you know, I'm glad we could have this conversation today. I mean, you know, we believe in this, we believe in what's power through the power of community, and you make us believe that so much even more. So we're going to create space to just say, take us back to a moment in philanthropy, from your journey, Virginia, like, what's something that's happened that you've witnessed that is going to stay with you, and stay with you to this point,
there's a lot of things. And like, every time I like, see something, I like cry, so I really need to happen like this week. And so I was at a, I was at an event honoring a benefactor to a finish line scholarship. And it was with it was with my my client, the School of Professional Studies, who caters towards adults returning to school to get their degree. And a young woman was awarded the scholarship. And she went on to say how her son was also in college at the same time. And as a result of the scholarship, she finished, is on to pursue her master's degree, her son finished with no debt, she finished with no debt. And now her daughter's getting ready to go to college and has the opportunity to really pick and dream and choose right, because she doesn't have that college debt or loans. And it's, it's amazing, right? It's It's amazing for a lot of different reasons about access, and the power of education, and gratitude. Like it's and how you shape someone's life. And their trajectory. Right. So
yeah, you see everything? It's so real.
Yeah. So it's just like, it's really, it's really moving. And, you know, I've worked a lot with scholarship recipients. You know, it's great.
I mean, we worked with scholarship recipients to when we're in higher ed, and I think you just hit the nail on the head with what you said there with the release of that financial burden, you give people the gift to dream. I mean, I know you talked about financial security being such an important cultural value for your family as a as a first generation immigrant. And it's like, well, of course it is, it is. But we still want Virginia to have that stability and still feel like she can dream and I say Virginia in air quotes, because I want it to be anybody that's being served by our mission. So you know how this podcast works, my friend, it is the moment of truth. One good thing time, throw it down with your infinite leadership and coaching wisdom. What's the one good thing that you could leave for the community today?
My one good thing
is
you are perfect whole and complete. There is nothing that you lack. And no matter accolades, degrees achievements, at the end of the day, you lack nothing. And so you matter. And you are enough.
Now I'm Kryon
course, you know, our friend that has centered community is everything our core value throughout this conversation lens ends the conversation with everyone matters, you know, and what a beautiful way to connect this love that that comes through how you show up in conversation and how you coach people and how you taught us today. So thank you, my friend, like how can people connect with you in the work I'm so thankful that you're pouring into this through fun strategy, tell us how people can pour into that and connect with you.
Yeah, so LinkedIn, hit me up on LinkedIn and I am happy to answer any emails at Virginia at fun strategy dot orc. So I always love to hear from people and powwow collab discuss, ask questions. I'm there
and I'll just tell you it is a gift to like, just be in the orbit. Virginia, you get so much kindness, love you get culture, she shares her travel photos with us, which Thank goodness she has awakened this love of Puerto Rico within each of us and taught us about that culture. It is a gift to count you among our colleagues and friends, rooting you on and absolutely everything you do in this lifetime. You can't get rid of us. We are friends for life, my friend and always rooting for you. Absolutely. Thank
you guys. It's a pleasure.
love you dearly. Thank you. Love you too.
Hey, friends. Thanks so much for being here. Did you know we create a landing page for each podcast episode with helpful links, freebies and even shareable graphics. Be sure to check it out at the link in this episode's description. You probably hear it in our voices but we love connecting you with the most innovative people to help you achieve more for your mission than ever before. We'd love for you to join our good community. It's free. And you can think of it as the after party to each podcast episode. You can sign up today at we are for good.com backslash Hello. One more thing If you loved what you heard today, would you mind leaving us a podcast rating and review? It means the world to us and your support helps more people find our community. Thanks friends. I'm our producer Julie confer and our theme song is Sunray by Remy Borsboom
