How long have you been with Charity Search Group?
I have been with Charity Search Group since November 2022
What is your favorite part about working at Charity Search Group?
I love the variety of talented passionate do-gooders with whom I interact daily and the role I play in supporting their desire to make a difference in the world. Additionally, working at Charity Search Group, supports my own personal goal of leveraging my experience and skills to scale up my own social impact, beyond the provision of direct services and its oversight, by helping amazing mission-driven organizations find the right staff to enhance their ability to serve their communities and achieve their missions.
What does your job entail?
I describe my job as building capacity for social good by identifying, helping recruit and facilitating the hire of stellar candidates, that align in terms of passion, background, and experience, with crucial positions in outstanding nonprofit/social impact organizations.
What do you think makes Charity Search Group unique?
One thing that particularly impresses me about Charity Search Group is the range of experience and background that exists among the team and how this reflects the definite DEI lens and expertise CSG conscientiously applies and brings to every recruitment and hire process.
What’s one thing people don’t know about you that they would be surprised to find out?
I am a survivor of gender-based violence both as a child and as an adult. It has been a driving force in my approach to life in general, work specifically, and the on-going quest for a more just and equitable world. A more light-hearted, fun fact, about me is that at 21, I presented on the topic of “The use of New Information Communication Technologies for Conflict Prevention and Mangement” at the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights in Geneva and founded one of the first Spanish-language international development and human rights “virtual” nonprofits to exist. That and, I took singing classes as an adult.
How have you been involved in the nonprofit sector in the past?
My life has focused on national and international nonprofit work. I have served at all levels: as a volunteer, an RFP developer and grant reviewer, a program specialist, a manager, a director, a board member, executive officer, and CEO. Thus, I have led, worked on and volunteered with complex quasi-governmental, nonprofit, social service and social impact programs, projects and organizations in Latin America (Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Brazil), Europe (Spain, Luxembourg, France, Germany, and Switzerland), Africa (Morocco, Rwanda), Asia (Thailand, Sri Lanka) and the United States and Canada for over 20 years. Over this time, I have acquired a deep expertise in organizational culture and communications, strategic planning, capacity building, training, human resources, change management and growth. This has led me to a point where my focus is providing organizations, communities, and individuals the tools and resources they need to understand and change their world across a variety of issue areas. These include but are not limited to children and youth, civic engagement, community development, disability rights, disaster relief, diversity, equity and inclusion, social justice, education, financial literacy, human rights/civil liberties, mental health, human trafficking, immigrant/refugee affairs and international development.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I enjoy spending time with my almost two-year-old son, other family members (4-legged ones included) and friends. I love to travel, read, write, paint, dance, go to cultural and music festivals, and cook. Karaoke makes me happy. I am also really good at finding ways to keep busy and end up juggling multiple professional projects at once.
What causes are you passionate about?
I am a passionate advocate for systemic, organizational and personal change and improvement across a variety of thematic areas. I believe that any nonprofit’s ultimate goal should be to facilitate improvement and change to the point that it does away with the system that created the need for its existence.
What is the best career lesson you’ve learned so far?
There are several. Never act or react in haste. Own your mistakes. Avoid assumptions: communicate, communicate, communicate.
What three words would you use to describe yourself?
Ambitious. Laughter-loving. Kind.
