Mission Control Podcast

In the latest episode of Mission Control, host Paul Schmidt delves into the inspiring journey of Kim Renwick, the Executive Director of the Shiawassee Community Foundation. This podcast showcases the remarkable work of executive directors and nonprofit leaders, and Kim’s story exemplifies the impact one individual can have on their community.

A Mission to Enrich Lives

KIm’s clear and powerful mission drives the Shiawassee Community Foundation: to enrich lives in Shiawassee County through strong community relationships and careful stewardship of funds. Kim emphasizes the foundation’s commitment with the phrase, “For good forever.” This philosophy highlights the organization’s dedication to maintaining endowed funds that honor the names and legacies of families and individuals in the community.

During the discussion, Paul and Kim explore how this mission translates into daily operations and long-term strategies. The foundation builds relationships, fosters community engagement, and ensures that their financial practices reflect their values.

From Banking to Nonprofit: A Seamless Transition

Kim’s journey to nonprofit leadership is anything but conventional. With two decades of banking experience, she felt a strong pull toward the nonprofit sector. Her diverse banking experience, which included marketing, loans, and management roles, equipped her with a robust skill set that proved invaluable in her new role.

Despite the advantages of her background, Kim faced unique challenges upon joining the foundation. Adapting to the foundation’s bookkeeping system initially demanded significant time and effort. However, her financial acumen allowed her to navigate these challenges effectively, leading to innovative solutions that streamlined operations.

Embracing Leadership and Nonprofit Dynamics

Transitioning from a banking officer to an executive director required Kim to cultivate a new leadership style. Her extensive experience on various boards, including the Shiawassee Arts Council and the Red Cross, provided her with a collaborative mindset essential for nonprofit dynamics. Kim’s insights on open communication and effective meeting structures, such as the consent agenda, helped enhance productivity and foster strong relationships with the board.

Weathering the Pandemic Storm

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic introduced an unexpected whirlwind of challenges just as Kim was settling into her role. With remote work becoming the norm, the foundation had to adapt quickly. Despite the turmoil, Kim and her team showed remarkable resilience. They utilized digital tools like Zoom to maintain connections and ensure the continuation of programs, including the local Giving Tuesday initiative, Raise Up Shiawassee.

The Shift in Fundraising Dynamics

As fundraising efforts shifted during the pandemic, the foundation embraced digital platforms and traditional methods. This dual approach allowed them to connect with younger demographics while still engaging long-time supporters. Additionally, emerging technologies, including AI tools, prompted the foundation to reevaluate tits scholarship application processes, ensuring submission authenticity.

Celebrating 50 Years of Impact

2023 marks a significant milestone for the Shiawassee Community Foundation, celebrating its 50th anniversary. Kim has played a crucial role in organizing events that honor this legacy and recognize the individuals and members who have shaped the foundation over the years. The foundation remains committed to sustainability and growth and focuses on pressing issues such as mental health, childcare, and housing in its strategic plans for the next 50 years.

A Glimpse into Kim’s World

Outside of her professional responsibilities, Kim enjoys various hobbies, including knitting, crocheting, and spending time outdoors with her two-year-old dog. These activities provide a necessary balance, allowing her to unwind and recharge after the demands of her role.

Connect with Shiawassee Community Foundation

For those interested in learning more about the Shiawassee Community Foundation or finding ways to get involved, Kim encourages direct contact at kim@shiacf.org or their website at shiacf.org.

Conclusion

Kim Renwick’s journey illustrates the power of dedication and adaptability in nonprofit leadership. Her transition from banking to the nonprofit sector, her proactive approach during a global pandemic, and her efforts to celebrate the foundation’s rich history encapsulate effective leadership’s essence in today’s dynamic environment.

As this season of Mission Control wraps up, listeners can look forward to more enlightening conversations with community leaders in the upcoming season. If there’s a leader you’d like to hear from, feel free to reach out at missioncontrol@unodeuce.com.

Thank you for joining us, and we’ll see you in the control center next season!

In a recent interview on the Mission Control podcast, Alex Brace, the Executive Director of Small Talk Child Advocacy Center, shared insights into his journey, the organization’s mission, and the challenges of leading a field dedicated to helping children heal from trauma.

A Serendipitous Start

Alex’s path to becoming a leader in child advocacy began unexpectedly during his junior year of high school. Initially reluctant to take an AP Psychology class, he could not switch out due to administrative hurdles. This twist of fate was life-changing when his teacher, M. Hubbard, welcomed him warmly and ignited his passion for psychology.

This experience set Alex on a course that led him through undergraduate and graduate studies in psychology and counseling at Michigan State University. After a brief stint working with adults with severe mental illness in Wisconsin, Alex found his way back to his hometown of Lansing, Michigan, where he joined Small Talk at its inception in 2011.

The Mission of Small Talk

Small Talk’s mission is to provide hope, healing, and justice to children impacted by sexual and physical abuse in Ingham and Eaton counties. The organization offers free healing services, including forensic interviews, counseling, advocacy, and prevention work. Alex emphasizes that while it’s difficult to say it’s “great” work due to the nature of the issues they address, he’s grateful for the organization’s impact on the community.

The Transition to Leadership

In 2015, Alex became the executive director of Small Talk. He admits that the transition from therapist to administrator was challenging, as his training hadn’t prepared him for the managerial aspects of the job. However, he found that his background in therapy provided valuable skills for leading the organization.

Alex describes his leadership style as democratic and collaborative. He values input from his team and believes in the power of collective problem-solving. “I really like the idea of hiring people smarter than me,” he says, emphasizing the importance of bringing diverse perspectives to decision-making processes.

Creating a Positive Work Environment

Despite the heavy nature of their work, Alex strives to maintain a joyful and hopeful atmosphere at Small Talk. He believes finding positivity in their mission is critical, describing Small Talk as “the best part of maybe the worst day of somebody’s life.” This approach helps the team cope with the vicarious and secondary trauma they encounter daily.

The Challenges of Recruitment and Retention

Regarding hiring, Alex and his team are transparent about the problematic nature of the work. They look for candidates who can honestly assess their ability to handle challenging situations and have developed healthy coping mechanisms. Small Talk has implemented a comprehensive onboarding program to ensure new staff members feel supported and have access to supervision when needed.

Work-Life Balance and Self-Care

Alex acknowledges the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance for himself and his team. He enjoys spending time with his family, watching movies, writing, exercising, and riding along the river trail. These activities help him unwind and gain perspective on his work.

As a father, Alex finds that his personal life brings added depth to his professional role. It makes him more grateful and intentional about creating a safe environment at home and work. He also sees the importance of modeling a healthy work-life balance for his daughter.

Looking to the Future

Alex views his work at Small Talk as one of the most important things he’ll ever do, second only to being a husband and father. He is committed to ensuring the organization’s longevity and impact, hoping that one day, there will no longer be a need for child advocacy centers.

Until that day comes, Alex and the team at Small Talk continue their vital work, providing essential services to needy children. Their efforts serve as a beacon of hope in the community, offering support and healing to those who need it most.

For those interested in learning more about Small Talk or connecting with Alex, he can be reached at abrace@smalltalkcac.org. Information about the organization can be found at smalltalkcac.org or on its social media platforms.

Dive into this episode of Mission Control as Paul Schmidt interviews Brian Philson, President/CEO of Highfields, Inc. He talks about what drew him to his work, his unique longevity in his position, and his value systems, which went from understanding and helping the individual to assisting organizations to understand the individual and their needs.

For more on Highfields, Inc: https://www.highfields.org/

The Mission: To provide opportunities to children, youth and families to become more responsible for their own lives and to strengthen their relationships with others.

If there is someone you know of that you would like to hear about their journey, please email us at missioncontrol@unodeuce.com

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