What was your experience working on a Taproot Foundation project?

I've served as Account Director on two projects, so far. In both cases, my team excelled. I was very impressed with both clients' professionalism and marketing savvy.

How have you grown from your pro bono experience?

I've been volunteering since junior high school - my mother co-founded a soup kitchen, so giving back is in my blood. I consider myself extraordinarily fortunate and feel that not doing what I'm doing would be a crime against humanity. Leading teams is always a challenge, especially when the members are doing it out of kindness (versus money), but when things work out, it's wonderful.

What were the biggest challenges in your projects?

As a team leader, selecting the right team is critical. Staffing vis-a-vis the client's needs can be tough unless you know the folks personally and usually, you don't. Making the most of your team and supplementing expertise is a challenge - I feel I've always had two roles: Account Director plus one of the functional roles. I've chosen only projects of personal interest so I've always been passionate. Perhaps the biggest surprise is just how dire the statistics surrounding each nonprofits needs and constituents are.

How do you think the business community and nonprofit sector can strengthen one another?

The harsh reality is that most businesses exist solely to maximize profit. They may give money, facilities, and other things in order to raise their profile in a community, but by and by it goes back to making a profit. Most employees, however, feel a desire to give back in some way - whether it's in the form of money or time. Taproot Foundation should continue to partner with companies and agencies in order to invite more professionals to do pro bono work.

What community issues are most important to you and what did you learn from the project?

The issues that keep me awake at night include literacy (or a lack thereof), mentoring (as there are many single parent arrangements and kids can greatly benefit from a big brother or sister) and the environment. From my projects, I learned just how big the problems are, how good the folks tasked with solving the problems were, and why it is vital for them to get help from the outside.

Other than volunteering with the Taproot Foundation, what do you like to do in your free time?

Entertaining my 2 young daughters, playing the guitar, writing, inventing education-based consumer products, cooking, listening to music, and - every now and again - sleeping.