Role: Executive Director of Creative Communication & Culture
Duration: 2019-Dec 2024 in person (Remote leadership 2025-Present)
CHALLENGE
When I stepped into this role, the department was at a low point. Teams had dwindled, there was no clear leadership or direction, and volunteer numbers were shrinking.
Then, within my first year, COVID hit, making it even harder to recruit, train, and retain staff and volunteers. I faced the challenge of rebuilding from a blank slate while ensuring children were safe, engaged, and cared for in a season of uncertainty.
MY ROLE
I led with vision, care, and stewardship. My priorities were to create a culture people wanted to be part of, manage resources wisely, and keep safety, creativity, and impact at the center. I worked closely with senior leadership to advocate for more staff, while mentoring my own leaders to carry forward the same values and consistency I modeled.
I emphasized connection—across campuses, across cities, and across people—so the entire department felt unified despite growth and distance. Leadership for me wasn’t just managing—it was mentoring, developing leaders, and building a culture where every role mattered.
I also committed to ongoing education for myself and my teams:
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Stayed current on safety practices and brought in certified trainers.
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Attended numerous leadership conferences to expand perspective.
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Completed multiple masterclasses on leadership, creative direction, production, and UI.
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Made leadership growth a personal priority, ensuring my direction was grounded in tried-and-true methods.
WHAT I DID
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Rebuilt a dwindling department into a thriving multi-campus program.
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Expanded teams from 5 staff → 20+ staff and 75 volunteers → 300+ volunteers.
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Designed onboarding, training, and culture programs that emphasized safety, connection, and purpose.
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Advocated for staffing increases to prevent burnout and keep children safe.
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Ensured continuity across campuses so children and families experienced the same care and quality everywhere.
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Mentored staff directly, equipping them to lead their own teams with the same heart and consistency I modeled.
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Planned and carried out quarterly training and celebration events to unify teams across cities and build community.
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Managed budgets and financial resources to maximize impact responsibly.
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Led by example, remaining hands-on and reinforcing that every role matters.
THE RESULT
- Volunteer numbers not only recovered post-COVID, they grew significantly.
- Teams became known for their consistency and alignment across multiple campuses.
- Staff were developed into leaders, multiplying growth and culture.
- Quarterly gatherings built unity across distance, connecting volunteers from different cities.
- The program earned a reputation for safety, creativity, and impact.
- Growth was sustainable, with systems and culture still thriving today.
REFLECTION
This experience taught me that leadership is about more than numbers—it’s about culture, care, and continuity. By investing in my staff, creating scalable systems, and prioritizing my own growth as a leader, I was able to build a program that kept children safe, entertained, and educated, while uniting hundreds of volunteers across multiple campuses.
The true measure of leadership is not just what you achieve personally, but what continues after you. The systems, culture, and leaders I helped develop are still thriving today.
